Patent Grant
11781338
The present disclosure relates to a fence bracket. Particularly, but not exclusively, the disclosure relates to fence bracket, a fence bracket system, a kit of parts, a fence assembly and a method of manufacturing a fence bracket.
Temporary and semi-permanent fencing may be used in a variety of applications where a barrier is to be erected to cordon off or prevent access to an area. For example, open air music festivals often erect temporary fencing to prevent unauthorised access to the festival site. Other examples of uses of temporary fencing is to restrict access to potentially hazardous areas such as building sites.
An erected temporary fencing system therefore has a “restricted” side (within the fenced off area) and a “public” side (the area outside the fenced area).
One of the most common types of fences used for temporary fencing is the Heras™ fence. This type of fencing comprises a wire mesh panel attached to metal tube frame. The metal tube frame has two posts on which the fence panel stands. The fence posts may be retained into rubber or concrete blocks in use. In use a first fence's post is retained in a hole in the block and a post of a second fence is retained in another hole of the block. As a result, a number of fence panels can be joined together to form a long chain of fences by using a number of blocks. The fence post may be a fence panel post or a gate panel post.
Such blocks in use extend either side of a fence. As such they may present a tripping hazard for the public walking past the fence on the “public” side of the fence. High-visibility (hi-vis) block casings are generally employed to aid a person seeing such blocks. However, it may still be difficult to see such blocks at night or where the member of the public suffers from vision impairment.
Similarly, fencing may often be erected on sites which abut pavement, roads or tarmacked areas or other such built upon areas. A building or development site in an inner-city location abutting pavement is an example of such a scenario as there may be an uneven ground surface. As blocks extend either side of a fence the fence assembly must be staggered back from the edge of the full area of the development such that any change in height between the pavement and the internal area of the development site does not negatively effect the fence. If a block is placed across pavement and lower ground of the development site then the fence assembly may be disposed at an angle increasing likelihood of tipping (especially under side loading from wind for example).
Further, such blocks tend to be heavy and bulky as they made from concrete. As regulations tend to limit the maximum weight that a person can lift unaided there is often the need for installation of blocks to be carried out by at least two installers.
Even with such heavy blocks there is the potential for the fence posts to topple over due to wind loading. Whilst the mesh in an individual fence panel has a small surface area, due to the number of panels in a fence system and the metal tubular frame it offers a significant cross-sectional area for wind loading.
Further, it is relatively easy to lift such fence panels out from blocks. It is also relatively easy to push or manoeuvre blocks as they are generally not fixed to the ground.
Moreover, blocks are placed on the ground requiring installers to often bend down to fix the blocks in place. Such bending can place strain on the installer's back potentially causing injury.
The present disclosure aims to improve on the fencing systems known in the art.
Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide a fence bracket, a fence bracket system, a fence assembly, a kit of parts and a method of manufacturing a fence bracket as claimed in the appended claims.
According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a fence bracket. The fence bracket is suitable for use with a fence panel. The fence bracket comprises:
Advantageously the fence bracket comprises at least one sidewall. Preferably the fence bracket comprises two sidewalls. The sidewalls increase the strength of the fence bracket. The fence bracket may thereby withstand greater loads, which may be encountered due to high winds effecting a fence installed using the bracket, and thereby transferred through the bracket and/or other sources of adverse pressure on such a fence.
The slot allows for the connection of an ancillary component to the fence bracket. The ancillary component allows the arm or locking strap to be connected to the fence bracket which enables the fence to be locked together above the bracket. The aperture could also be used to connect a fence panel joining bracket to the fence bracket.
The provision of the support on the front wall of the bracket reduces the footprint of the fence bracket. The support being in front of the front wall (in use) means that the fence bracket does not extend onto the “public” side of the fence. As such the fence bracket presents less of a tripping hazard to the public.
The front wall acts as a barrier preventing someone reaching into the inner parts of the fence bracket located on the “restricted” side of the fence bracket in use.
Preferably the region comprises a tab extending from the front wall. The tab may be used to abut against a fence joining panel bracket between the top of the inline support tubes and the tab. Such an implementation could be used to lock the fence posts to the fence bracket to prevent unauthorised removal.
The tab may comprise a portion to attach an ancillary component.
The tab may extend away from the front wall towards the “public” side or away from the wall towards the “restricted” side or the tab may extend upwards from the front wall.
Preferably a portion of the tab is bent such that the portion extends substantially perpendicularly from the front wall. The tab is bent such that it preferably extends away from the wall approximately or substantially perpendicular.
Preferably the aperture is located on the tab. Locating the aperture on the tab makes it easier to connect ancillary components for an installer.
Preferably the base further comprises a portion suitable for receiving a ground penetrating member for fixing the fence bracket to soft ground. The ground penetrating member may be a ground screw. The ground penetrating member is used to fix the fence bracket to soft ground such as dirt.
Preferably the body further comprises an ancillary support connected to the base and/or front wall; wherein the ancillary support is suitable to receive an ancillary support component. The ancillary support is used to connect further ancillary components to the bracket such as further stabilizers, braces, flag poles, another fence, scaffold poles, or other suitable apparatus. The ancillary support is preferably welded to the base and front plate. Preferably the ancillary support is welded just below tab. Preferably the weld is two points on either side of the ancillary support. Preferably the weld is 25 mm on both sides of the tab.
Preferably the fence bracket further comprises at least one hole suitable for receiving an anchor bolt for fixing the fence bracket to hardstanding or hard ground. The fence bracket may be used on hard ground to fix a fence where a ground screw or ground penetrating member cannot be employed.
Preferably the base does not extend past:
Advantageously, as the base doesn't extend into the “public” side of the fence. This reduces the likelihood of the public tripping up over the base plate when the bracket is in use. Optionally where a second support is used the base may not extend past the second support.
Preferably the fence bracket further comprises a second support provided on the front wall and wherein the second support is configured to connect to a fence post.
Preferably, the aperture has an axis (A1) that is coplanar with an axis (A2) of the first fence support and coplanar with an axis (A3) of the second fence support. The aperture being on the same plane of the axis of the support posts means that the arm or locking strap in use is almost vertical and flush with the fence panel siding. Having the arm vertical and flush makes it harder to get through a fence assembly in use as there is littler area to axis through the arm. Further it makes the fence panel joining bracket to fix to fence supports as the aperture will be in-line with the fence tubes.
The first and second supports are tubes suitable for receiving a fence post. The tubes surround and support a fence panel post. The posts are often the weakest portion of the fence panel and may be liable to damage due to loading on the fence. Receiving the fence posts in tubular supports reduces the likelihood of damage to fence posts.
Preferably the first and second supports are configured such that in use the fence posts are uncovered over a distance between the bottom of the first and second supports and the ground to enable said fence posts to be fastened together with a fastener. In use lifting the fence posts causes the fence panel joining bracket or fastener to abut the bottom of the supports preventing them from being lifted out of the fence bracket.
Preferably the top surface of the first and second fence post supports is below the tab such that in use the fence posts received by the first and second supports are uncovered enabling said fence posts to be fastened together with a fastener such that pulling upward engages the fastener with the tab preventing fence post removal. In use lifting the fence posts causes the fence panel joining bracket or fastener to abut the tab preventing them from being lifted out of the fence bracket.
According to another aspect a fence bracket system is provided. The fence bracket system comprising:
Preferably the at least one ancillary component is at least one:
The arm is preferably a locking strap.
Preferably, the fence bracket system further comprises an ancillary support component; wherein the component is one of:
Preferably the at least one ancillary component is an arm and wherein the arm comprises an aperture engaging portion disposed at one end of said arm configured to removably engage aperture of the bracket.
The arm in use can act as a further physical barrier between the “public” and “secure” sides of the fenced off area. The arm fits into the gap between the first and second fence panel preventing access by someone trying to fit their hand through. The arm is removably engageable with the fence bracket.
Preferably the arm further comprises an arm aperture disposed at a second end of said arm suitable for receiving a fastener. The fastener may be used to connect the arm to a fence panel and thus the fence panel to the bracket.
Preferably the at least one ancillary component further comprises a fastener.
According to a further aspect a kit of parts comprising the components of the fence bracket system of a previous aspect.
Preferably the kit of parts of claim further comprises at least one fence panel.
According to another aspect a fence assembly is provided. The fence assembly comprising:
Alternatively, the fence assembly comprises:
According to another aspect a method of manufacturing a fence bracket is disclosed. The fence bracket comprising:
Preferably the cutting is made by laser cutting.
Preferably the method of manufacturing a fence bracket further comprises:
Preferably the method of manufacturing a fence bracket further comprises:
One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
As such, an overview of the features, functions and/or configurations of the components depicted in the various figures will now be presented. It should be appreciated that not all of the features of the components of the figures are necessarily described and some of these non-discussed features (as well as discussed features) are inherent from the figures themselves. Other non-discussed features may be inherent in component geometry and/or configuration. Furthermore, wherever feasible and convenient, like reference numerals are used in the figures and the description to refer to the same or like parts or steps. The figures are in a simplified form and not to precise scale.
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of this disclosure is thereby intended.
With reference to
The fence bracket 10 in use as part of a fence assembly 1000 defines a “public” side which is not fenced off or restricted and a “restricted” side in which the fencing assembly 1000 restricts public access to an area. The “public” side is denoted by the letter P and the “restricted” side is denoted by the letter R. These areas are shown in
The fence bracket 10 is shown in
Vertical may be taken to mean “substantially vertical” or “approximately vertical” throughout. Similarly, perpendicular may be taken to mean “substantially perpendicular” or “approximately perpendicular” throughout. Similarly, co-planer may be taken to mean “substantially co-planer” or “approximately co-planer”.
The front wall 20 is preferably a wall as shown in
The body 12 may have a drainage hole 21 located at the intersection of the base 14, first side wall 16 and the front wall 20 as shown in
The body 12 may have a drainage hole 21 located at the intersection of the base 14, second side wall 18 and the front wall 20 as shown in
Alternatively, the front wall 20 may be a strip or tab extending from the base. In such embodiments the body 12 may or may not comprise sidewalls 16, 18.
The front wall 20 has connected to it a first support 22 and optionally a second support 24. The embodiment shown in
The first and second supports 22, 24 preferably extend such that the bottom of the first and second supports 22, 24 touch the ground in use.
Alternatively, the first and second supports 22, 24 may not extend such that the bottom of the first and second supports 22, 24 touch the ground in use. In such an embodiment there is a distance D3 between the bottom of the first and second supports 22, 24 and the ground to enable the fastening of two fence posts together with a fastener 50 in use. The distance D3 may be the height of a fence panel joining bracket 50, an example of such a bracket 50 is shown in
Alternatively, the first and second supports 22, 24 may not be tubes but may be posts that a fence post 62A, 62B is placed upon.
As shown in
The aperture 30 may be disposed on tab 28 as shown in
In the embodiment shown in
The tab 28 is preferably disposed, at a distance D1 from the ground, above the top surface of the first and second fence post supports 22, 24 as shown in
Optionally the distance D1 may be greater still to permit the placing of a fastener 50 between the top of the first and second fence post supports 22, 24 and the bottom of the tab 28. In such a scenario the fence posts 62A, 62B received in the supports 22, 24 can be fastened together (using a fence panel joining bracket 50 or other fastener 50) below the tab 28. Fastening in this manner prevents the fence posts 62A, 62B being removed from the fence bracket 10 as lifting fence panel 60A, 60B causes the fastener 50 to abut the tab 28 preventing the fence panel 60A, 60B being lifted any further.
Preferably the axis A1 of the aperture 30 is coplanar with the axis A2 of the first fence post support 22 and coplanar with an axis A3 of the second fence post support 24. The three axis A1, A2, A3 thus sit substantially upon plane B as shown in
The base 14 of the fence bracket 10 has a portion 32 for receiving a ground penetrating member 40. The portion 32 is preferably a hole or aperture 30 which is complementary to a ground penetrating member 40 as shown in
In one embodiment the ground penetrating member 40 in
The ground screw 40 is received in the hole 32 in use. The ground screw 40 has a flanged region or flange 42. The flange 42 in use aids in spreading the pressure built up by screwing in the ground screw 40 into the ground across the base 14 of fence bracket 10. The spreading of the pressure across the area of the base 14 adjacent the hole 32 and covered by the flange 42 helps to ensure a more stable bracket 10 when used in a fence assembly 1000.
The body 12 may further comprise an ancillary support 26 connected to the base 14 and or front wall 20 as shown in
The base 14 has a hole 27 which is a drainage hole. 27. The hole 27 is located within the ancillary support 26 as shown in
Preferably the base 14 does not extend past the “front” of the front wall 20 (the side facing the “public” side) and/or the first support 22 and/or the second support 24. The base 14 not extending past one or more of these components means that in use the base 14 does not extend onto the “public” side of the fence assembly 1000. Advantageously this means it is less easy to lever up the fence bracket 10 and thus fence assembly 1000 using a lever, crowbar of the like. A further advantage is that the resulting fence assembly 1000 can be closer to the true extent of the development area rather than being staggered back as with prior art systems. Further, the fence bracket 10 is less likely to be a tripping hazard in such a scenario.
The base 14 may further comprise a hole 34. The hole 34 is suitable for receiving an anchor bolt (also known as an expansion bolt). An anchor bolt may be inserted through hole 34 for securing the fence bracket 10 on hardstanding such as concrete or tarmacked surface. The hole 34 aligns with a hole in the hardstanding surface. The aligned holes then receive the anchor bolt. The anchor bolt is then actuated expanding into the hardstanding hole pulling the fence bracket 10 into closer contact with the hardstanding surface.
A number of holes 34 may be provided in the base. The number of holes 34 may be two or three or four or five or six or seven or eight or nine or ten. The number of holes 34 may be any number in the range two to ten or two to five. Preferably the number of holes 34 is three.
Where multiple holes 34 are provided on the base, they may be provided in a line as shown in
For example, where three holes 34 are present the holes 34 could be provided in a triangular arrangement or a linear arrangement; where four holes 34 are present the holes could be provided in a rectangular or square arrangement, etc. . . . .
The hole(s) 34 may alternatively be used to receive a tent pole or stake. The tent pole or stake may be used in combination with a ground penetrating member 40 to fix the fence bracket in place on soft ground.
The hole 32 adapted to receive the ground penetrating member is larger in diameter that the hole(s) 34 adapted to receive the anchor bolts.
The fence bracket system 100 will now be described in more detail with reference to
The ancillary component 110 may be one or more of an arm 70; or a fastener 50; or a levelling device. The ancillary support component 120 may be one or more of: a stabilizer; or an brace; or an access door; or a camera pole; or a solar light; or a flag pole; or any other suitable fixtures. The arm 70 (also known as a locking strap 70) is shown in
The arm has an arm aperture 74 disposed at a second end of the arm 70 as shown in
The fastener 50 is a fastening arrangement and preferably is a fence panel joining bracket 50. The fence panel joining bracket comprises a first bracket, a second bracket a bolt and a nut. The first and second brackets act together to clamp two fence panel post 62A, 62B between them as shown in
The fence panel joining bracket 50 may be comprise an anti-tamper device to prevent unauthorised removal of the fence panel joining bracket 50. The anti-tamper device may be an anti-tamper screw or bolt for example.
The arm 70 may be installed into the fence bracket 10 from either the front or rear of the fence bracket 10.
The arm 70 may extend further than the example shown in
Further, connections or apertures for fixing ancillary components may be provided on an arm 70. The arm 70 may provide connections for bracings, fixtures, stabilisers or other such fixtures.
The stabilizer may be an apparatus which provides stability to the fence bracket system 100 and as such reduces the effect of sideloading or wind on the fence bracket system 100.
The brace 130 may be an apparatus which provides stability to the fence bracket system 100 and as such reduces the effect of sideloading or wind on the fence bracket system 100. The brace 130 is shown in
According to a further aspect a kit of parts is provided. The kit of parts comprises the fence bracket system 100 described above. Optionally the kit of parts may comprise at least one fence panel 60A or at least two fence panels 60A, 60B, optionally the kit of parts may comprise a gate. According to a further aspect a fence assembly 1000 is described. The fence assembly 1000 comprises the fence bracket system 100 described above and at least one fence panel 60A, 60B. Optionally the fence assembly 1000 may comprise at least two fence panels 60A, 60B, optionally the assembly 1000 may comprise a gate.
Optionally one of the fence panels 60A, 60B may be exchanged for a gate with a gate panel post. The gate may be retained in the first or second support 22, 24 and may be made to pivot in the respective support.
According to another aspect a method of manufacturing a fence bracket 10 is described.
The method of manufacturing a fence bracket 10 comprises cutting a shape from a material sheet. The cut shape 400 is shown in
The front wall 20 is connected by a weld to the first and second side walls 16, 18. A portion of the wall is left unwelded towards the base 14 to form a hole 21 suitable for drainage. A notch or scallop 404 may optionally be provided. The notch 404 forms at least a portion of the hole 21 when the front wall 20 and one of the side walls 16 or 18 are folded together. The notch 404 provides a greater area hole 21.
The first and second supports 22, 24 are welded to the body 12.
The sidewalls 16, 18 are welded to the front wall 20. The weld is made along the length of the front wall except at the point where the sidewalls meet both the base 14 and the front wall 20. At such a point no weld is made and a hole 21 is left to allow drainage out from the body 12.
The method further comprises forming the tab 28 with the aperture 30 disposed thereon.
The fence bracket 10 is manufactured from metal. The metal may be steel. The steel may be a mild steel.
The fence bracket 10 may be surface finished. For example, the fence bracket 10 may have a powder coating applied. The powder coating assists in reducing risk of corrosion and at the same time can be in a bright colour to indicate to the public that a hazard may be present.
According to an alternative embodiment of the bracket, an alternative fence bracket 210 is described. The fence bracket 210 is shown in
The fence bracket 210 has a support 222 extending from the front wall 20 of the body 12. The support 222 is a fence post support. The support 222 is shaped as shown in
The fence bracket 210 has an aperture 230 disposed in the front wall 20 of the body 12. The aperture 230 is disposed above the fence post support 222. The aperture 230 is suitable to receive an ancillary component 110. The ancillary component 110 may be one of those described above. Preferably the ancillary component 110 is an adjustable levelling bracket to aid the installation of the fence assembly. For example, the levelling bracket may be a Fencesafe levelling tool. The levelling tool may receive the fence post such that fence post is held at two points on the fence bracket 210 (the support 222 and levelling tool).
The fence bracket 210 may have other features in common with the fence bracket 10 described above. The fence bracket 210 for example may have least one hole 34 suitable for receiving an anchor bolt for fixing the fence bracket 10 to hardstanding or hard ground. The fence bracket 210 may also have for example a portion 32 in the base 14 suitable for receiving a ground penetrating member 40 for fixing the fence bracket 10 to soft ground.
According to another embodiment of the fence bracket, an alternative fence bracket 310 is described. The fence bracket 310 is shown in
The support 322 has a hole 324. The support 322 and hole 324 are used to connect the fence bracket 310 to a fence post. The support 322 and hole 324 may connect to a further bracket which holds the post.
While various embodiments of devices, systems, and methods have been described in considerable detail herein, the embodiments are merely offered as non-limiting examples of the disclosure described herein. It will therefore be understood that various changes and modifications may be made, and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting with respect to the content thereof.
Further, in describing representative embodiments, the present disclosure may have presented a method and/or a process as a particular sequence of steps. However, to the extent that the method or process does not rely on the particular order of steps set forth therein, the method or process should not be limited to the particular sequence of steps described, as other sequences of steps may be possible. Therefore, the particular order of the steps disclosed herein should not be construed as limitations of the present disclosure. In addition, disclosure directed to a method and/or process should not be limited to the performance of their steps in the order written. Such sequences may be varied and still remain within the scope of the present disclosure.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2201487 | Feb 2022 | GB | national |
The present application is related to, claims the priority benefit of, and is a U.S. continuation patent application of, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/890,169, filed Aug. 17, 2022, which is related to, and claims the priority benefit of, Great Britain patent application serial no. GB2201487.2, filed Feb. 4, 2022. The contents of each of these applications are incorporated herein directly and by reference in their entirety.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20230250673 A1 | Aug 2023 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 17890169 | Aug 2022 | US |
| Child | 17900154 | US |
