EP3162985B1 - Closure made up of sheet-metal panels mounted between posts - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a fence formed of sheet metal panels mounted between posts.

In general, the invention relates to a fence formed of one or more sheet metal panels, installed between posts, anchored to the ground or fixed on a wall.

The principle of a fence consisting of a succession of posts and panels installed between the posts is known.

So we know in the document FR 2 791 378 a fence consisting of panels anchored to the floor and panels provided with horizontal rails, assembly ends being provided for assembling the ends of healds to the posts. Each assembly tip has a mounting face shaped to match the outer surface of the pole and a hole opening on the mounting face. Fastening means extends between the joining end and the post through this hole.

This fixing means may be a self-tapping screw, which forces its passage through the thickness of the post.

Thus, the position of the assembly end on the post is determined by the operator when mounting the fence on the site.

By adapting the position and orientation of the assembly end to the post, it is possible to mount the panels on the posts taking into account the conditions imposed by the geometry of the area to be fenced and the slope of the terrain.

In the case where the posts are cylindrical, the mounting face of the assembly tip is a cylinder portion having substantially the same curvature as that of the post.

The joining tip extends beyond the end of the horizontal rails so that this type of assembly can present risks. pinch for users at the junction area of the panel with each pole.

Such a risk must be avoided when the fence is intended to equip a sports field or a playground suitable for children. Of the document JP 2007 009465 a fence is known comprising posts (3) and at least one panel (2) made of sheet metal, said panel being mounted between the posts to form said fence, said fence comprising fixing tabs (12) for assembling said panel to said posts, the panel comprising a core and two bent flanges (4 and 5) extending respectively on two upper and lower longitudinal edges of said core.

The present invention provides a fence with increased security at the connection of the panels with the posts.

To this end, the present invention relates to a fence comprising posts and at least one sheet metal panel, said panel being mounted between the posts to form said fence, said fence having assembly ends for assembling said panel to said posts.

According to the invention, said panel comprises a core and two curved flanges respectively extending on two upper and lower longitudinal edges of the core, an assembly end being housed at one end of said two curved flanges for fixing the panel to a post, said core comprising a sheet metal tongue extending in the height of the panel and extending beyond the end of said two curved flanges of said upper and lower longitudinal edges of said panel core.

Thus, the sheet metal tongue protects the assembly area in which the assembly end is housed at the end of a curved wing of the core of the panel.

By making the assembly area inaccessible, it limits the risks for a user to jam his fingers in the fence.

Furthermore, the sheet metal tongue prevents vandalism by restricting the possibilities of access to the assembly area and thus to dismantle or deteriorate the fixing of the panel to the post.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the assembly endpiece comprises a mounting face shaped to fit an outer surface portion of the post.

This type of assembly allows to assemble substantially dayless panel to the post.

In an advantageous embodiment, the sheet metal tongue has a vertical free edge substantially in contact with the post.

The sheet metal tongue thus makes it possible to ensure continuity between the core of the panel and the post, thus rendering the panel blackout.

The absence of day between the panel and the post avoids any risk of pinching the fingers of a user in the junction area of the panel and the post.

In a practical embodiment of the invention, each curved wing comprises a first profile portion adjacent to the core of the panel, a transverse end of the first profile portion including a shaped edge to fit an outer surface portion of the pole .

It is thus possible to avoid, at the top and bottom of the panel, at each upper and lower longitudinal edge of the core of the panel, the presence of a day between the transverse end of each curved wing and the post .

This configuration is also involved in limiting the risk of pinching a user at the assembly area of the panel on the pole and limits the possibility of damage by vandalism of the assembly of the fence.

In practice, each curved wing comprises a second section portion extending substantially perpendicularly to the first section portion.

One end of the second profile portion has a cutout such that the transverse end of the first profile portion extends beyond said end of the second profile portion.

Cutting thus carried out at the end of each curved wing allows to have around the same pole panels oriented perpendicular to one another. Thus, the panels can be oriented around the same pole at an angle ranging from 0 ° (panels aligned) to 90 ° (panels perpendicular to each other).

In practice, the lower and upper longitudinal edges of the core respectively comprising one of said two curved flanges have a substantially U-shaped cross section.

The assembly endpiece is shaped to engage in the substantially U-shaped cross section. Thus, each sheet metal panel comes to marry an assembly end which is housed at one end of a wing curved with an edge. longitudinal superior or inferior.

In practice, the cross section of the lower and upper longitudinal edges of said core respectively comprising one of said two curved flanges has an internal width in a direction perpendicular to the core of the panel substantially equal to an outer width of the post.

Each post thus fits perfectly in the extension of the panel equipped with curved wings on the upper and lower longitudinal edges.

In one embodiment of the invention, the fence comprises at least two panels mounted in alignment with one another on a common pole.

The sheet metal tabs respectively souls of said panels are substantially adjacent in the height of said common post.

This gives, on an outer face of the fence, a continuity of the panels successively mounted next to each other on poles.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear in the description below.

• La figure 1 est une vue schématique en perspective d'un panneau monté entre deux poteaux d'une clôture selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• La figure 2 est une vue agrandie d'un détail A à la figure 1 ;
• La figure 3 est une vue schématique en perspective d'un panneau en tôle d'une clôture selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• La figure 4 est une vue en élévation de côté du panneau de la figure 3 ;
• La figure 5 est une vue agrandie d'un détail B à la figure 3 ;
• La figure 6 est une vue partielle en perspective éclatée illustrant le montage d'un panneau à un poteau d'une clôture selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• La figure 7 est une vue partielle en perspective du panneau monté sur un poteau de la figure 6 ;
• La figure 8 est une vue partielle en coupe transversale illustrant le montage d'un panneau sur un poteau d'une clôture selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• La figure 9 est une vue schématique en perspective illustrant une clôture selon un premier mode de montage ; et
• La figure 10 est une vue schématique en perspective illustrant une clôture selon un deuxième mode de montage.

In the accompanying drawings, given as non-limiting examples:

• The figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a panel mounted between two posts of a fence according to one embodiment of the invention;
• The figure 2 is an enlarged view of a detail A to the figure 1 ;
• The figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of a sheet metal panel of a fence according to one embodiment of the invention;
• The figure 4 is a side elevation of the panel of the figure 3 ;
• The figure 5 is an enlarged view of a detail B at the figure 3 ;
• The figure 6 is a fragmentary perspective exploded view illustrating the mounting of a panel to a fence post according to one embodiment of the invention;
• The figure 7 is a partial perspective view of the panel mounted on a pole of the figure 6 ;
• The figure 8 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating the mounting of a panel on a fence post according to one embodiment of the invention;
• The figure 9 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a fence according to a first mounting mode; and
• The figure 10 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a fence according to a second mounting mode.

We will first describe with reference to Figures 1 and 2 a panel 10 mounted between two posts 11, 11 ', thus constituting an element of a fence according to one embodiment of the invention.

In general, the fence comprises posts 11, 11 'and sheet metal panels, each panel 10 being mounted between two successive columns 11, 11' to form the fence.

This type of fence is modular and allows fencing a land by following the geometry of it.

The posts 11, 11 'are intended to be anchored to the ground in a vertical position or fixed on a wall.

The posts 11, 11 'thus extend vertically in a vertical direction Y in space.

To mount the panel 10 on a post 11, an assembly tip 12 is used to assemble the panel 10 to the post 11.

As well illustrated at Figures 1 to 5 , the panel 10 comprises a core 13 and two curved flanges 14, 14 'respectively extending on the upper longitudinal edges 13a and lower 13b of the core 13.

Thus, the core 13 extends in an X, Y plane and comprises two upper longitudinal edges 13a and 13b that extend in the longitudinal direction X of the panel 10.

In this embodiment, each curved wing 14, 14 'comprises a first profile portion 15, 15' adjacent to the core 13 of the panel 10.

As well illustrated at the figure 4 in this embodiment, the first profile portion 15, 15 'of each curved wing 14, 14' extends substantially perpendicularly to the core 13 of the panel 10, that is, in a direction perpendicular to the X, Y plane of the soul 13.

Each curved wing 14, 14 'further comprises a second profile portion 16, 16' extending substantially perpendicular to the first profile portion 15, 15 '.

So, as well illustrated at the figure 4 , the second profile portion 16, 16 'extends substantially in the X, Y plane of the core 13 of the panel 10.

In this embodiment, and in a nonlimiting manner, each upper longitudinal edge 13a and lower 13b of the core 13 comprising a curved wing 14, 14 'has a cross section, in a plane perpendicular to the X, Y plane of the core 13 substantially U-shaped.

Such a sheet metal panel may be made from a metal section cut to the desired length to make each panel 10.

Of course, the shape of the cross section may be different and for example semi circular.

Furthermore, each curved wing 14, 14 'may comprise more than two profile parts, and for example a third profile portion connecting the first profile portion 15, 15' to the second profile portion 16, 16 '.

Furthermore, the core 13 of each panel may be solid or perforated and for example pierced with different openings creating a decorative pattern on the panel 10 of the fence.

As well illustrated at the figure 4 each panel 10 thus comprises a U-shaped fold at the top, near the longitudinal edge 13a of the web 13 of the panel, and a U-shaped fold at the bottom, near the longitudinal edge 13b of the core 13 of the panel 10.

As well illustrated at figures 2 and 6 , an assembly nozzle 12 is housed at one end of each curved wing 14, 14 'for fixing the panel 10 to a post 11.

Hereinafter will be described more precisely the realization of this assembly at a curved wing, and here the curved wing 14 extending along the upper longitudinal edge 13a of the core 13 of the panel 10.

Of course, this description applies identically to the four corners of the panel 10, that is to say at each end of each curved wing 14, 14 'equipping the two longitudinal edges of the core 13.

The assembly endpiece 12 is shaped as illustrated in FIGS. figures 2 and 6 to engage in the cross section of the bent wing 14, here substantially U-shaped.

The assembly endpiece 12 comprises a mounting face 20 shaped to fit an outer surface portion of the post 11. A hole 21 opens out onto this mounting face 20.

As well illustrated at the figure 8 , the hole 21 passes through the assembly end piece 12 and opens on a rear face 22, opposite to the mounting face 21 of the assembly end piece 12.

Fixing means, such as a fixing screw 30, is adapted to pass through the hole 21 of the assembly endpiece 12.

As well illustrated in the mounting position illustrated in the figure 8 the fixing screw 30 extends through the endpiece 12 and the post 11 when the panel 10 is fixed to the post 11.

The fixing screw 30 is advantageously a self-tapping screw capable of forming a tapping in the thickness of the wall of the post 11.

In this embodiment, the post 11 is a cylindrical tubular post. In this case, the mounting face 20 of the assembly endpiece 12 is a cylinder portion having substantially the same curvature as that of the post 11.

Of course, the post 11 could have another shape, and for example be a tubular square or rectangular post.

In this case, the mounting face 20 of the assembly endpiece 12 would be formed of a flat face adapted to fit a face of the post 11.

In this embodiment, the mounting face 20 is extended respectively by facets 23 inclined recessed. The facets 23 make between them an angle somewhat less than 90 °. As will become apparent later in the description, this form of assembly nozzle makes it possible to mount two assembly ends 12 perpendicularly to one another at the same level of a post 11, ie without offset in height, so that panels 10 may be arranged perpendicular to each other and at the same height.

The assembly endpiece 12 further comprises, in the extension of the facets 23, two fixing faces 24 connecting the facets 23 to the rear face 22 of the assembly endpiece 12.

The attachment faces 24 are pierced with a threaded hole 25 for guiding a second fixing screw 31.

As well illustrated at the figure 8 , the assembly end can thus be fixed inside each curved wing 14 by the second fastening screw 31 extending transversely to the curved wing 14.

The second fixing screw 31 may be a self-tapping screw.

Alternatively, the curved wing 14 may comprise a through hole 26 of the second fixing screw 31.

In this embodiment, a passage opening 26 is provided in the second profile portion 16 of the curved wing 14, near the end of the curved wing 14.

Note also that in this embodiment, the tip 12 has a cavity 27 opening on the rear face 22 and adapted to house the head of the first fixing screw 30.

In this embodiment, the threaded hole 25 pierced in each fastening face 24 opens into the cavity 27.

The panel 10 is thus fixed to the assembly endpiece 12.

It will thus be noted that the assembly endpiece has a mounting symmetry thus facilitating assembly of the panel 10 on the post 11.

Thus, the assembly tip 12 is housed at one end of the curved wing 14, the mounting face 22 conforming to an outer surface portion of the panel 11.

The assembly thus produced allows the panel 10 to be locked in its length X and its height Y between two posts 11.

As well illustrated at figures 7 and 8 , the core 13 comprises a sheet metal tongue 13c which extends in the height of the panel 10.

As well illustrated at the figure 7 , the sheet metal tongue 13c extends over the entire height of the core 13 of the panel 10, in a vertical direction Y.

The sheet metal tongue 13c extends beyond the end of each curved wing 14, 14 'of the upper longitudinal edges 13a and lower 13c of the core 13 of the panel 10.

As well illustrated at figures 7 and 8 , the sheet metal tongue thus extends beyond the mounting area of the assembly tip 12 on the pole 11 thus protecting access to this mounting area.

As well illustrated at the figure 7 , the sheet metal tongue 13c has a vertical free edge 13c which extends substantially in contact with the post 11.

In the embodiment illustrated in figure 8 , the sheet metal tongue 13c is extended so as to form a tangential contact with the outer surface of the post 11.

As well illustrated at the figure 7 , the mounting of the panel 10 on the post 11 is made without a day between the two elements, making the panel 10 occulting in the fence.

In this embodiment, the cross section of the upper longitudinal edges 13a and lower 13b of the core each having a curved wing 14, 14 'has an internal width L (see FIG. figure 8 ) in the direction perpendicular to the X, Y plane of the core 13 of the panel 10 substantially equal to the external width D of the pole 11.

In this embodiment where the post 11 is cylindrical, the outer width D of the post 11 corresponds to its outer diameter D.

As well illustrated at the figure 8 , the post 11 is thus disposed in the extension of the panel 10, without protruding beyond the core 13 and the sheet metal tab 13c on the one hand, and beyond a virtual plane passing through the second profile portion 16, 16 'of each curved wing 14, 14' of the panel 14.

Moreover, as well illustrated figures 5 and 7 , the transverse end 15a of the first profile portion 15 of the curved wing 14 comprises a shaped edge to fit an outer surface portion of the post 11.

In this embodiment where the post is cylindrical, the edge of the transverse end 15a is cut to have a cylindrical portion shape having substantially the same curvature as that of the post.

As well illustrated at the figure 7 the edge of the transverse end 15a thus marries an outer surface portion of the post 11 avoiding the presence of a day in the connection zone of each curved wing 14, 14 'of the panel 10 with the post 11.

Moreover, as well illustrated in the figure 5 the end 16a of the second profile portion 16 of each curved wing 14, 14 'of the panel 10 has a cut-out 17 so that the transverse end 15a of the first profile portion 15 extends beyond the end 16a of the second profile portion 16.

As can be seen from the illustration of figure 8 , the cutout 17 made at the end 16a of the second profile portion 16 makes it possible to interrupt the curved wing 14 upstream of the post 11 so that a Similar assembly can be carried out, perpendicularly, on the same pole 11, for mounting two panels 10 perpendicular to each other.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 , the cutout 17 made at the end 16a of the second profile portion 16 creates a shoulder in the junction zone of the second profile portion 16 and the first profile portion 15 at the end of the curved wing 14 .

Such a configuration allows for a fence formed of several panels installed between posts 11, 11 '.

In one embodiment, the mounting of such a fence can be achieved in the following manner:
The operator fixes a first joining piece 12, for example in the upper part of a first post 11.

A second assembly nozzle 12 is then fixed in the lower part of the post.

The fixing of these first and second assembly nozzles 12 is carried out by means of the first self-tapping fastening screws 30.

The spacing between the first coupling end and the second joining end depends on the height of the sheet metal panel in the Y direction.

A second post 11 'is equipped in the same manner with two assembly nozzles 12 fixed at the same spacing as the two assembly ends attached to the first post 11.

The panel 10 is placed between the two posts 11, 11 'and comes to marry the four assembly ends housed respectively in the ends of the two curved flanges 14, 14'.

The mounting of a panel 10 between two posts 11, 11 'is described in detail in the document FR 2 791 378 .

A second fastening screw 31 is then mounted at the four ends of the curved flanges 14, 14 'so as to fasten each joining end piece 12 to the panel 10.

Thus, the panel 10 is blocked in its length in the direction X and in its height in the direction Y between the two posts 11, 11 '.

As well illustrated for example at the figure 9 , the panels 10 can be mounted in alignment with each other. Thus, two successive panels 10 are mounted in alignment with one another on a common post 11.

As well illustrated at the figure 9 , the sheet metal tabs 13c of the core 13 of each panel 10 are substantially adjacent in the height Y of the common post 11 so as to create an occulting fence.

In a second mode of assembly, as illustrated in figure 10 the panels 10 may be arranged perpendicular to each other or at any other angle of inclination between 0 and 90 °, in order to adapt to the geometry and the contour of the ground to be fenced.

In the embodiments illustrated in Figures 9 and 10 , the assembly ends 12 mounted at the top and bottom of the post 11 are placed at the same height and along the same axis in the example of the figure 9 , or along a different axis to form an angle in the example of the figure 10 .

Of course, it is possible to fix the assembly ends 12 at different heights to form a recess between the panels, in the vertical direction Y, and thus adapt to the slope of the ground.

Moreover, it is also possible to superpose on the same pole several panels to form a high fence.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.

Claims (11)

1. A fence comprising posts (11, 11') and at least one sheet-metal panel (10), said panel (10) being mounted between the posts (11, 11') to form said fence, said fence comprising assembly end members (12) for assembling said panel (10) to said posts (11, 11'), characterized in that said panel (10) comprises a web (13) and two curved flanges (14, 14') respectively extending along two upper (13a) and lower (13b) longitudinal edges of said web (13), an assembly end member (12) being accommodated at one end of said two curved flanges (14, 14') for the fastening of said panel (10) to a post (11), said web (13) comprising a sheet-metal tongue (13c) extending heightwise (Y) of said panel (10) and extending beyond the end of said two curved flanges (14, 14') of said upper (13a) and lower (13b) longitudinal edges of said web (13) of said panel (13).
2. A fence according to claim 1, characterized in that said assembly end member (12) comprises a mounting face (20) shaped to espouse a portion of the outside surface of said post (11).
3. A fence according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said sheet-metal tongue (13c) has a free vertical edge (13c') substantially in contact with said post (11).
4. A fence according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each curved web (14, 14') comprises a first elongate portion of specific cross-section (15, 15') adjacent to the web (13) of said panel (10) and a transverse end (15a) of said a first elongate portion of specific cross-section (15) comprising an edge shaped to espouse an outside surface portion of said post (11).
5. A fence according to claim 4, characterized in that each curved flange (14, 14') comprises a second elongate portion of specific cross-section (16, 16') extending substantially perpendicularly to said first elongate portion of specific cross-section (15, 15').
6. A fence according to claim 5, characterized in that an end of said second elongate portion of specific cross-section (16) comprises a cut-out (17) such that said transverse end (15a) of said first elongate portion of specific cross-section (15) extends beyond said end (16a) of said second elongate portion of specific cross-section (16).
7. A fence according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper (13a) and lower (13b) longitudinal edges of said web (13) comprising respectively one of said two curved flanges (14, 14') have a substantially U-shaped cross-section.
8. A fence according to claim 7, characterized in that said assembly end member (12) is shaped to engage in said substantially U-shaped cross-section.
9. A fence according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the cross-section of said upper (13a) and lower (13b) longitudinal edges of said web (13) respectively comprising one of said two curved flanges (14, 14') has an inside width (L) in a direction perpendicular to the web (13) of the panels (10) substantially equal to an outside width (D) of said post (11).
10. A fence according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least two panels (10) mounted in alignment with each other on a common post (11).
11. A fence according to claim 10, characterized in that the sheet-metal tongues (13c) respectively of the webs (13) of said posts (10) are substantially adjacent heightwise (Y) of said common post (11).

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