AU2018100233A4 - A Fence Support - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract The present invention is a support structure for a line of temporary fencing including: - at least one fencing panel; and - at least one picket; and - at least one block, wherein the at least one fencing panel includes an end post at opposite ends of the panel. The at least one picket is able to be forcibly driven into the ground to a sufficient depth so that a sufficient portion of the at least one picket rises vertically from the ground's surface. The at least one block includes a first aperture through which the portion of the at least one picket, that rises from the ground, is able to pass through, and the block is adapted to sit upon the surface of the ground, with the picket extending upwardly from the block. The end post includes a short extension portion, that extends at least below the bottom of the fencing panel, and the short extension is adapted to be insertable into a second aperture that is adjacent the first aperture, so that when inserted, the end post rises vertically adjacent to the picket, and thereby the end post is substantially supported in its position upon the block, and held vertically, and the picket is so shaped so that if a load is applied to the fence, thereby causing the fence post to want to lean over, the fence post is prevented from leaning by abutting against the picket. COi 1-51

Description

The present invention is a support structure for a line of temporary fencing including:

- at least one fencing panel; and

- at least one picket; and

- at least one block, wherein the at least one fencing panel includes an end post at opposite ends of the panel. The at least one picket is able to be forcibly driven into the ground to a sufficient depth so that a sufficient portion of the at least one picket rises vertically from the ground’s surface. The at least one block includes a first aperture through which the portion of the at least one picket, that rises from the ground, is able to pass through, and the block is adapted to sit upon the surface of the ground, with the picket extending upwardly from the block. The end post includes a short extension portion, that extends at least below the bottom of the fencing panel, and the short extension is adapted to be insertable into a second aperture that is adjacent the first aperture, so that when inserted, the end post rises vertically adjacent to the picket, and thereby the end post is substantially supported in its position upon the block, and held vertically, and the picket is so shaped so that if a load is applied to the fence, thereby causing the fence post to want to lean over, the fence post is prevented from leaning by abutting against the picket.

2018100233 23 Feb 2018

2018100233 23 Feb 2018

A Fence Support

Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to temporary fencing, and in particular to a support structure for a temporary fence assembly.

Background of the invention [0002] Temporary fencing is used in many areas, particularly in building construction. Typical temporary fencing includes a back brace. The back brace extends back a distance behind the fencing line and supports the fencing assembly. The back brace supports the fence when it is subjected to loads, such as those caused by impact or wind etc. Unfortunately, there are many situations where there is insufficient room to accommodate the space required for a back brace.

In these circumstances, a brace is jury-rigged. This is inconvenient, time consuming and may not provide adequate bracing to the fence.

[0003] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a support structure for temporary fencing that at least mitigates some of the aforementioned problems.

Disclosure of the invention [0004] Accordingly, the present invention is a support structure for a line of temporary fencing including:

- at least one fencing panel; and

- at least one picket; and

- at least one block, wherein the at least one fencing panel includes an end post at opposite ends of the panel. The at least one picket is able to be forcibly driven into the ground to a sufficient depth so that a sufficient portion of the at least one picket rises vertically from the ground’s surface. The at least one block includes a first aperture through which the portion of the at least one picket, that rises from the ground, is able to pass through, and the block is adapted to sit upon the surface of the ground, with the picket extending upwardly from the block. The end post includes a short extension portion, that extends at least below the bottom of the fencing panel, and the short

2018100233 23 Feb 2018 extension is adapted to be insertable into a second aperture that is adjacent the first aperture, so that when inserted, the end post rises vertically adjacent to the picket, and thereby the end post is substantially supported in its position upon the block, and held vertically, and the picket is so shaped so that if a load is applied to the fence, thereby causing the fence post to want to lean over, the fence post is prevented from leaning by abutting against the picket.

[0005] Preferably, the picket has a cross sectional profile that includes voids into which the respective end post is able to nest.

[0006] Preferably, the picket is a star picket, and the shape of the first aperture in the block has a complimentary star shape.

[0007] Preferably, there are two second apertures, with one located on each side of the first aperture, and both the first and second apertures are located centrally on the top face of the block.

[0008] Optionally, multiple blocks may be stacked vertically on top of each other, and each block is shaped to enable nested stacking.

Brief Description of the Drawings [0009] Figures 1 (a) and (b) are an illustration of the prior art.

[0010] Figures 2 (a), (b) and (c) illustrates several views of a fence assembled in accordance with a preferred form of the present invention.

[0011] Figures 3 (a), (b) and (c) illustrate the block that is used in one form of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments [0012] Turning firstly to Figure 1, we are shown an illustration of prior art. As shown, prior art fencing included a fencing panel 3 that includes an end post 5 that is insertable into an aperture in a block 7. The fencing panels 3 are connected end to end to build up the fence line. As illustrated, the adjacent end posts 5 of adjacent fencing panels 3 are supported by a back brace 9.

2018100233 23 Feb 2018

The back brace extends out from the back of the fence post a distance and is supported by additional blocks 7. The back brace 9 is adjustable to allow for variations in the height of the ground surface. This prior art arrangement is fine in many installations. However, there are a lot of areas that need temporary fencing that do not have sufficient room to accommodate the space needed to deploy the back brace 9.

[0013] Turning to Figure 2, we can see an illustration of the present invention. It can be seen that the present invention does not require a back brace 9. This allows the temporary fencing assembly to be assembled in more places, including those that have significant space constraints. In the present invention, the fencing panels 3 are similar to the ones used in the prior art. Each panel 3 has an end post 5 at opposite ends of the panel. Instead of a back brace, the present invention uses a picket 11 that is first vertically driven partway into the ground 13. The block 7 (best shown in Figure 3) includes a first aperture 15 that extends completely through the thickness of the block 7. At least one block 7 is placed on the picket 11, and the picket is able to pass through the first aperture 15, and the block 7 is able to rest on the ground’s surface 13 with a portion of the picket 11 extending upwardly from the top of the block 7.

[0014] As illustrated in Figure 2, two fencing panels 3 are placed adjacent to the picket 11. The picket 11 is so shaped, that it includes a plurality if vertical voids into which each respective end post 5 is able to nest. Optionally, each end post 5 could be connected to the picket 11, however in a preferred embodiment, each end post 5 is not connected to the picket 11, but instead abuts against the side of the picket 11. The end post 5 includes a small extension 19. In this illustration, the small extension 19 extends from both the top and bottom of the fencing panel 3. This is preferred, as it allows the top and the bottom of the panel 3 to be interchanged. The small extension 19 at the bottom of the end post 5 is adapted to be insertable into a second aperture 17 that is located in the block 7 adjacent to the first aperture 15. This is best illustrated in Figures 3 (a) and (c). When the small extension 19 is inserted into the second aperture 17, it is thereby held in place. The inter-engagement between the small extension and its respective aperture is sufficient to hold the end post 5 in place and in a vertical orientation, abutting against the picket 11. Each block 7 is able to accommodate the respective end post 5 of two adjacent fencing panels 3. If a load is applied to the fence, for example caused by wind, then the tendency for the fence post 5 to lean over is resisted by the abutment of the fence post 5 against the picket 11.

[0015] Turning finally to Figure 3, the picket is preferably a star picket, and preferably, the first

2018100233 23 Feb 2018 aperture 15 is shaped to accommodate the sectional profile of a star picket.

[0016] In use, the fencing panels are laid out on the ground, and a star picket is driven into the ground at appropriate intervals along the line that the fencing will be erected upon. At least one block is then placed upon the portion of the picket that rises up from the ground’s surface, and portion of the picket is able to pass through the first aperture. The block is then able to rest upon the surface of the ground. Each fencing panel can then be lifted, and the small extension can then be inserted into the second aperture and is thereby held in place in a vertical orientation adjacent to, and abutting, the picket. The abutment against the picket by each respective end post counters any tendency for the end post to lean over when the fence is subjected to a load, for example caused by wind.

[0017] While the above description includes the preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that many variations, alterations, modifications and/or additions may be introduced into the constructions and arrangements of parts previously described without departing from the essential features or the spirit or ambit of the invention.

[0018] It will be also understood that where the word “comprise”, and variations such as “comprises” and “comprising”, are used in this specification, unless the context requires otherwise such use is intended to imply the inclusion of a stated feature or features, but is not to be taken as excluding the presence of other feature or features.

[0019] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

2018100233 23 Feb 2018

Claims (4)

1. Claims

   1. A support structure for a line of temporary fencing including:

   - at least one fencing panel; and

   - at least one picket, and

   - at least one block, wherein the at least one fencing panel includes an end post at opposite ends of the panel, and wherein the at least one picket is able to be forcibly driven into the ground to a sufficient depth so that a sufficient portion of the at least one picket rises vertically from the ground’s surface, and wherein the at least one block includes a first aperture through which the portion of the at least one picket, that rises from the ground, is able to pass through, and the block is adapted to sit upon the surface of the ground, with the picket extending upwardly from the block, and wherein the end post includes a short extension portion, that extends at least below the bottom of the fencing panel, and the short extension is adapted to be insertable into a second aperture that is adjacent the first aperture, so that when inserted, the end post rises vertically adjacent to the picket, and thereby the end post is substantially supported in its position upon the block, and held vertically, and the picket is so shaped so that if a load is applied to the fence, thereby causing the fence post to want to lean over, the fence post is prevented from leaning by abutting against the picket.

   1. The support structure as defined in claim 1 wherein the picket has a cross sectional profile that includes voids into which the respective end post is able to nest.
2. 3. The support structure as defined in claim 1 wherein the picket is a star picket, and the shape of the first aperture in the block has a complimentary star shape.
3. 4. The support structure as defined in claim 1 wherein there are two second apertures, with one located on each side of the first aperture, and both the first and second apertures are located centrally on the top face of the block.
4. 5. The support structure as defined in claim 1 wherein multiple blocks may be stacked vertically on top of each other, and each block is shaped to enable nested stacking.

   2018100233 23 Feb 2018

   EDITORIAL NOTE

   - There are 2 pages of Drawings only

   2018100233 23 Feb 2018

   2018100233 23 Feb 2018