GB2459486A

GB2459486A - Fence post

Info

Publication number: GB2459486A
Application number: GB0807450A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan David Vincent
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-04-24
Filing date: 2008-04-24
Publication date: 2009-10-28
Also published as: GB0807450D0; WO2009130501A2

Abstract

The fence post 20 includes a pair of oppositely-directed longitudinal side walls where each pair defines a channel 12 for receiving a fence panel. The post is made up of two members, first T-shaped member 11 and a detachable second member 14, that produce an I-shaped section when joined together. The first member may be made of concrete. It is preferable that the second member is a single member which defines the side wall of both channels of the post and that the two members are attached by engaging protrusions 16 on one member with apertures 15 on the other. A method of fitting the fence panel is also claimed.

Description

FENCING

This invention relates to fencing.

Fencing comprising a plurality of square or rectangular fence panels mounted between respective posts is well known. Typically the posts are wooden and are set in the ground at appropriate spacing for the panels. The panels are then fixed in-situ by nailing them to the posts.

A disadvantage of the above-mentioned fencing is that wooden posts rot and can snap in high winds. Accordingly, in order to overcome this problem it is known to provide posts formed of reinforced concrete. Such posts are generally I-shaped in section and comprise oppositely-directed longitudinal channels on their respective opposite side faces for receiving respective side-edges of the fence panels. In use, the fence panels have to be lifted above the posts and then slid downwardly into the posts, such that their respective opposite side edges are received in opposed channels of respective posts. It will be appreciated that this procedure is both difficult and dangerous, especially if the posts are high or if the panel is heavy.

I have now devised a fence post which alleviates the above-mentioned problems.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a fence post which comprises of a pair of oppositely-directed longitudinal side walls each defining a longitudinally-extending channel for receiving respective side edges of adjacent fence panels, the post being generally I-shaped in section and comprising a first member and a detachable second member which defines a side wall of at least one of said longitudinally-extending channels.

In use, a plurality of posts are set in the ground in the conventional manner. A fence panel can be fitted between a pair of posts by removing the detachable second member from each post and by moving the fence panel perpendicular to its plane until the side edges thereof are received in the respective open-sided channels of the posts. The detachable second members can then be secured to the first members of the posts, preferably by means of appropriate fastening members provided on the posts.

In an alternative method, the posts can be set so that only alternate posts comprise posts in accordance with the present invention, the intervening posts being conventional I-section posts. In use, the fence panel can be fitted between the posts by moving the panel perpendicular to its plane and angling the panel so that one side edge thereof initially engages into the channel of the conventional post, the opposite side edge then being pivoted around into the open channel of the post in accordance with the present invention in the same manner as hereinbefore described, The same method can be used if all of the posts comprise posts in accordance with the present invention, with the second member only being removed from alternate posts.

In any event, a fence post in accordance with the present invention enables fence panels to be fitted to posts without the need to raise the panel above the ground, such that the above-mentioned problems are alleviated.

Preferably the first member of the post is formed of concrete. The detachable second member being formed of concrete, wood, metal or any other suitable material.

Preferably the detachable second portion comprises a single member which defines a side wall of both cannels of the post.

Preferably said the fastening member comprises a plurality of projections on one of the members, which engages into corresponding apertures on the other member, the two members being secured together by engaging the projections with the apertures and by sliding the second member axially of itself to lock the latter in place.

Preferably the post comprises lock means arranged to extend into the channel to engage the fence panel, in order to prevent unauthorised persons from easily lifting the panel once it has been installed in-situ to gain access to an area on the opposite side of the fence. Preferably the lock means is disposed on the second member of the post.

Also in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method of fitting fence panel, the method comprising inserting the side edge of the panel into a recess

V

extending longitudinally over an upright post and fitting an elongate member to the post to define a channel in which the side edge or the panel is captively received.

in one embodiment, the panel is fitted between the pair of posts, each post comprising a recess for receiving a respective side edge of the panel, an elongate member being fitted to each post to captively retain the side edges of the panel therein.

In an alternative embodiment, a first side edge of the panel is initially engaged with a channel formed in one post, the opposite edge of the panel then being engaged with the recess in another post in the aforementioned manner.

Also in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a fence post comprising a first elongate member having an elongate recess formed in one side face thereof and having a first side wall of the recess, a second elongate member for detachably fitting to the first member to define a second side wall of the recess.

Preferably the post comprises inter-engaging fastening means on the first and second members. An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of an example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a fence incorporating fence posts iii accordance with the present invention; and Figure 2 is a plan view of an assembled post of the fence of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a fence comprising a plurality of fence panels e.g. 10 fitted between respective posts e.g. 20. Each post comprises a first elongate member 11 formed of reinforced concrete material, which is set in the ground in a generally vertical orientation. The first member 11 is generally T-shaped in section and comprises oppositely-directed recesses 12 extending longitudinally of its opposite side faces. Each recess 12 is bounded on the rear side of the member 11 by a longitudinally-extending side wall 13.

The posts also comprise a second member 14 comprising an elongate strip of reinforced concrete or wood. The second member 14 has a length which substantially corresponds to the height of the first member 11 above the ground, and a width which is substantially equal to the width of the first member 11 between distal ends of the side walls 13 thereof. The second member 14 is provided with a plurality of oval apertures 15 along its length for receiving corresponding projecting pegs 16 disposed in the front face of the first member 11. The pegs 16 are circular in section and comprise oval-shaped formations at their distal ends which fit through the apertures 15 in the second member 14.

In use, a fence panel 10 is fitted to the posts 20 by removing the second members 14 therefrom and inserting the side edges of the fence panel 10 into respective recesses 12 on respective posts. The panel 10 is then fixed in-situ by engaging the apertures in the second members 14 with the pegs 16 on the first members 11. The second members 11 are then locked in place by sliding them downwardly. In this manner, the second members 14 captively retain the side edges of the panel 10 in respective posts.

It will be appreciated that the fence can be erected without the need to lift the panels 10 substantially above the ground. Damaged or broken panels can easily be replaced by detaching the second member 14 from each post.

A fence post in accordance with the present invention is simple and inexpensive and the construction yet allows a fence panels to be attached or removed without the need to lift the panels substantially above the ground.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A fence post comprising a pair of oppositely-directed longitudinal side walls each defining a longitudinally-extending channel for receiving respective side edges of adjacent fence panels, the post being generally I-shaped in section and comprising a first member and a detachable second member which defines a side wall of at least one of said longitudinaDy-extending channels.
2. A fence post as claimed in claim 1, in which the detachable second members are secureable to the first members of the posts by means of appropriate fastening members provided on the posts.
3. A fence post as claimed in claims 1 or 2, in which the first member of the post is formed of concrete.
4. A fence post as claimed in claim 3, in which the second member is formed of concrete, wood, metal or any other suitable material.

* **
5. A fence post as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the detachable second portion comprises a single member which defines a side wall of both channels of the post. S... * S S...
6. A fence post as claimed in claim 2, in which said fastening member *S*.S * comprises a plurality of projections on one of the members, which engages into corresponding apertures on the other member, the two members being secured together by engaging the projections with the apertures and by sliding the second member axially of itself to lock the latter in place.
7. A fence post as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the post comprises lock means arranged to extend into the channel to engage the fence panel.
8. A fence post as claimed in claim 7, in which the lock means is disposed on the second member of the post.
9. A fence post substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
10. A method of fitting fence panel, the method comprising inserting the side edge of the panel into a recess extending longitudinally of an upright post and fitting an elongate member to the post to define a channel in which the side edge or the panel is captively received.
11, A method as claimed in claim 10, in which the panel is fitted between a pair of posts, each post comprising a recess for receiving a respective side edge of the panel, an elongate member being fitted to each post to captively retain the side edges of the panel therein.
12.A method as claimed in claim 10, in which a first side edge of the panel is initially engaged with a channel formed in one post, the opposite edge of the panel then being engaged into a recess in a second post for receiving the second side edge of the panel, an elongate member being fitted to the second post to captively retain the second side edge of the panel therein. * S.
13. A method of fitting a fence panel, the method being substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. * .
14. A fence post comprising a first elongate member having an elongate recess * formed in one side face thereof and having a first side wall of the recess, a second elongate member for detachably fitting to the first member to define a second side wall of the recess.
15. A fence post as claimed in claim 14, in which the post comprises inter-engaging fastening means on the first and second members.