Fence assembly

THIS INVENTION relates to a fence assembly and in particular but not limited to a temporary fence assembly for use adjacent to construction sites or the like as a barrier.

The art of fencing is a crowded art. In particular the field of portable fencing and temporary fencing is well developed and over many years there has not been a truly inexpensive and effective barrier that may be easily installed and utilising readily available materials. Thus there remains a need for ever more efficient use of materials and labour in a field that is crowded with all manner of fencing variations and combinations. Thus there is always a need for fencing that is cheap and economical to make and install there being a long felt need to optimise these two factors but still ensure that the fencing is adequate for the intended purpose. Recent granted patents show that there continues to be a need for cost effective and improved fencing in a competitive field. The present invention relates to the use of rigid mesh panel as the basic element in the assembly. A search of the patent literature reveals relevant recent patents that also use rigid mesh as the basic element. These include U.S. Pat. No. 6,581,914, U.S. Pat. No. 5,039,250, U.S. Pat. No. 5,542,649, U.S. Pat. No. 4,290,602, U.S. Pat. No. 6,719,279, U.S. Pat. No. 5,586,753, U.S. Pat. No. 5,556,080 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,184,800.

In some situations the appropriateness of particular barriers is questionable as to the cost and efficacy. For example, as is occasioned temporary barriers range from flexible roll out perforated plastics sheeting which is very cheap, usually used near pedestrian traffic, but may be easily displaced by wind or minor impacts to rigid structures. The rigid structures which are very expensive are usually used near vehicular traffic.

While many of these patents describe fencing that is suitable for the application to a temporary or portable fence, they have a number of disadvantages relating to use. These include problems with ease of assembly/disengaging, difficulties associated with ease of relative panel movement to account for non-straight fence requirements and difficulties inhibiting flow of site debris particularly dust through the fence.

Accordingly it is an objection of the present invention to provide a fence assembly that enables a non-straight fence to be easily assembled from mesh panels and wherein a cheap and effective fence is provided and where the invention provides a useful alternative to the prior art.

In one broad aspect there is provided a fence assembly comprising panels formed from a covered rigid mesh adjacent panels having overlapping sections of the panels, the overlapping sections of the panels forming a post pass through passage means, and there being post means interconnecting the adjacent panels at the overlapping sections and passing through post pass through passage means.

In one preferred form the invention provides a fence assembly comprising panels formed from a covered rigid mesh preferably covered with a shrink-wrap coating, adjacent panels having overlapping sections of the panels, the overlapping sections of the panels forming part of an operative pivot means enabling construction of an non-straight fence, and there being post means interconnecting the adjacent panels at the overlapping sections.

In another preferred form the panels are covered with a shrink-wrap plastics coating so the panels are impermeable to passage of dust, adjacent panels having longitudinal upper and lower flanges spaced at their ends so that the flanges of one panel fits inside the flanges of the other panel in overlapping relation, the mesh at the flanges at the region of overlap forming the post pass through passage means and in conjunction with the post forming an operative pivot means enabling construction of an non-straight fence, and the post means interconnecting the adjacent panels at the overlapping sections.

Preferably the post means connects the panels at the pivot means so that the post functions as a pivot pin passing through the overlapping sections of the adjacent panels.

The panels are preferably formed from a pre-shrink wrapped rigid mesh sheet formed while flat and having folded upper and lower rails formed by folding over upper and lower edges of the mesh respectively. Thus the rails have end apertures formed by a portion of the mesh, the end apertures of adjacent panel rails overlapping and a post is able to operative pass through overlapping upper and lower rail apertures to connect the panels together in a hinge pin configuration. Preferably, each panel tapers to one end so that the narrow end of an adjacent panel fits inside the wide end of the next adjacent panel at the region of overlap.

Preferably, each post has a cap applied to the post. Typically, the cap comprises a mushroom shaped cap having a hollow stem section which fits over the post. The cap also preferably includes a groove so that a strap secured to the post, usually by a pin, may pass over the cap to retain the cap in operative position.

Each post is usually driven into the ground a predetermined distance suited to the panel height and therefore the panel height may be adjusted by adjusting the post height.

Preferably, each post has spaced holes so that a pin may be inserted through one of the holes to enable the panel position on the post to be adjusted. In one embodiment a strap, comprising a U-shaped filament, typically wire, having eyelets at its free ends passes over the top of the post, usually over the cap, the eyelets being positioned in-line with one of the holes in the post and then a pin is inserted through the eyelets and the hole in the post. In this case the panel slides down onto the pin. This means the panel may either rest on the ground or subject to how far the post is driven into the ground the bottom of the panel may be held above ground.

Preferably, an extruded coping is applied to the upper rail of the assembled fence.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the present invention can be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein:—

FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing of a fence including a non-straight fence assembly according to the invention;

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Previous Patent Application:
Manufacturing method and multifunctional tubular post for fences obtained by means of said method
Next Patent Application:
Snap-together fencing components
Industry Class:
Fences

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