GB2286837A

GB2286837A - Self-assembly slatted structures, e.g. fences

Info

Publication number: GB2286837A
Application number: GB9403788A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Donald Edward Collins
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-02-28
Filing date: 1994-02-28
Publication date: 1995-08-30
Anticipated expiration: 2014-02-28
Also published as: GB2286837B; GB9403788D0

Abstract

Means for making fencing, panelling, doors and the like in which opposed posts 10 or members of the frame therefor are provided with a plurality of recesses, notches, grooves or the like arranged to receive transverse or vertical slats 14 which can thus be readily positioned and fixed in alignment with one another in abutting or overlapping relationship as desired. <IMAGE>

Description

SELF-ASSEMBLY STRUCTURES This invention is concerned with self assembly structures and is specifically concerned with structures that require assembly of panels from lengths of timber or timber substitutes, including plastics materials and concrete elements. Structures, in the context of the present invention include fencing panels, garden sheds, buildings and the like which are usually formed of timber but may also be formed from plastics materials and from reinforced concrete. The invention may also be used with such structures as external and internal doors and decorative panels.

In assembling such a structure, for example, a fencing panel such as that which comprises overlapping slats, parallel slats are usually nailed or stapled to upright spaced-apart posts or alternatively where it is intended that the slats should be vertical, to cross-members which are fastened to the upright posts.

In constructing such an assembly, it is usually necessary to measure and mark the positions of the slats as they are fastened to the posts or cross-members so that, in the finished panel, the slats are parallel in order to produce an aesthetically pleasing appearance. This is a timeconsuming operation and does not always result in a perfect finish, a fact which can often only be judged in the finished panel when it is too late. The problem of obtaining a uniform appearance m a row of panels is also difficult to achieve by the amateur DIY constructor without careful positioning.

It is an object of this invention to provide means which will simplify the assembly of structures such as fencing panels and produce uniform appearance in such structures.

The present invention provides means for permitting the assembly of a structure comprising parallel lengths of wood, plastics material or reinforced concrete, the means comprising a post or other support which is intended to be used in conjunction with a like post or support to provide support for a plurality of elongate slats in order to assemble a panel thereof, each post or support being formed with a plurality of spaced notches, grooves or recesses along the length thereof which serve to provide registration for the slats so that they can be affixed to the posts or supports in position in regular overlapping or abutting relationship.

Alternatively, the means provided by the invention may comprise a post or other support which has mounted thereon a series of spaced wedge-shaped members arranged such a slat can be attached to each member in abutment with the next adjacent member and in parallel relationship to the other slats which are similarly attached.

The present invention also provides an assembly for providing means according to the present invention, the assembly comprising a plurality of posts, or cross-members intended to be mounted on spaced-apart upright posts. each of said posts or cross-members being formed with indentations which permit slats to be located on said posts or cross-members in close edge-to-edge relationship or in overlapping relationship.

The present invention also provides an assembly for providing means according to the present invention, the assembly comprising a plurality of posts, or cross-members intended to be mounted on spaced-apart upright posts, and a plurality of wedge-shaped members which can be mounted on each post or cross-member so that each of a plurality of slats can be located on said posts or cross-members in close edge-to-edge relationship or in overlapping relationship.

The posts or cross-members are preferably formed of wood but equally so, they can be formed of rigid plastics materials-or of reinforc-ed concrete. Similarly, the slats and the wedge-shaped members can be formed of the same materials.

The present invention also provides means which can be mounted on posts which are intended to be erected in an upright position or on cross-members which are intended to be attached to such posts, the means comprising a plurality of wedge-shaped members which can be mounted on the posts or cross-members in an array such that slats can be located on said posts or cross-members in close edge-to-edge relationship or in overlapping relationship.

The present invention further provides a rectangular frame wherein two opposed members of the frame are formed with angled recesses for locating parallel slats therein.

Such a frame as is mentioned in the last preceding paragraph may provide the frame of a door or of a decorative panel and the angled recesses thereof may be spaced such that the slats are positioned in overlapping relationship to provide a screen or are spaced apart.

There now follows a detailed description, which is to be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, of a fence panel constructed according to the present invention; it is to be clearly understood that this fence panel, and its construction have been selected for description to illustrate the invention by way of example only and not by way of limitation.

In the accompanying drawings: Figures la and ib are side and front elevations of a fence post according to the present invention for use in constructing fence panels according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a front elevation of the first stage of the assembly of a fence panel in accordance with the present invention; Figure 3 is a front elevation of a further stage of the assembly of a fence panel; Figure 4 is a side elevation of a lower part of a post of a panel according to the present invention showing a plurality of slats positioned thereon; Figures 5a, 5b and 5c are respectively front partially complete, side complete and front complete elevations showing the manner in which adjacent panels according to the present invention are joined; and Figures 6a, 6b and 6e are front elevations of various fence constructions formed in accordance with the present invention.

Referring now to Figures 1 to 4, there is shown in Figure 1 a timber post 10 according to the present invention for use in constructing a fence according to the present invention; this post 10 has a plurality of wedge-shaped recesses 12 formed in one elongate face thereof, each recess providing a narrow ledge on which a slat can be positioned.

As shown in Figure 2, in constructing a fence panel according to the present invention, a pair of like posts are vertically positioned in spaced apart relationship and a first wooden slat 14 is located on the ledge of the lowermost recess and secured in position by nailing to the post.

If the posts are formed of concrete or plastics materials instead of timber, the post may be formed with holes therein to receive bolts or the like for securing the slats to the post.

As shown in Figure 3, additional slats 14 are then similarly located in their respective recesses and secured to the posts until a complete panel 16 is formed.

As can be seen in Figure 4, each slat is of sufficient width that when it is positioned on the post, it extends above the level of the base of the next highest recess so that when the next slat is placed in position, there will be an overlap between the adjacent slats and the lower slat below the one being attached will define a slot into which the next slat to be attached can be placed for attachment to the posts.

In Figure 5 can be seen a post 10 which is used to join two panels 14 together, the abutting ends of linearly adjacent slats resting in the same recess. The join between the adjacent ends of the slats can be masked by a face member 18 which is also secured to the post by nailing.

The face member also serves to anchor the slats to the posts.

Claims

1. Means for assembling a structure comprising elongate slats provided by parallel lengths of wood, plastics material or reinforced concrete to provide a panel for'a fence, screen, door or the like, the means comprising a post or other support which is intended to be used in conjunction with a like post or support member to provide support for a plurality of the elongate slats in order to assemble a panel thereof, each post or support being formed with a plurality of spaced notches, grooves or recesses along the length thereof which serve to provide registration for the elongate slats so that they can be affixed to the posts or supports in position in overlapping or abutting relationship.

2. An assembly for providing means according to claim 1, the assembly comprising a plurality of posts or cross members intended to be mounted on spaced apart upright posts, each of said posts or cross members being formed with indentations in the form of notches, grooves or recesses which permit slats to be located on said posts or cross members in close edge-to-edge, spaced or overlapping relationship.

3. An assembly for providing means according to claim 1, the assembly comprising a plurality of posts or cross members intended to be mounted on spaced apart upright posts and a plurality of wedge shaped members which can be mounted on each post or cross member so that each of a plurality of slats can be located on said posts or cross members in close edge-to-edge, spaced or overlapping relationship.

4. An assembly according to either one of claims 2 and 3 wherein the posts or cross-members are preferably formed of wood, rigid or semi-rigid plastics materials or of reinforced concrete.

5. ,An assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the slats and the wedge-shaped members can be formed of wood, rigid or semi-rigid piastics materials or of reinforced concrete.

6. Means which can be mounted on posts which are intended to be erected in an upright position or on cross-members which are intended to be attached to such posts, the means comprising a plurality of wedge-shaped members which can be mounted on the posts or cross-members in an array such that slats can be located on said posts or cross-members in close edge-to-edge, spaced or overlapping relationship to form a panel therewith.

7. A rectangular frame wherein two opposed members of the frame are formed with angled recesses for locating parallel slats therein.

8. Means for assembling a structure comprising elongate slats in the form of parallel lengths of wood, plastics material or reinforced concrete, the means comprising a post or other support which is intended to be used in conjunction with a like post or support to provide support for a plurality of the elongate slats in order to assemble a panel thereof, and a plurality of wedge-shaped members which can be mounted on the post or other support as a series thereof, a plurality of slats, each of which can be affixed to a respective member in abutment with the next adjacent member and in parallel relationship to other slats which are similarly attached to their respective members.

9. Means for assembling a structure comprising elongate slats provided by parallel lengths of wood, plastics material or reinforced concrete to provide a panel for a fence, screen, door or the like substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings.

10. A fence panel substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings.

10. ,A fence panel substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. Means for assembling a structure comprising elongate slats provided by parallel lengths of wood, plastics material or reinforced concrete to provide a panel for a fence, screen, door or the like, the means comprising a post or other support member which is intended to be used in conjunction with a like post or support member to provide support for a plurality of the elongate slats in order to assemble a panei thereof, each post or support being formed with a plurality of spaced notches, grooves or recesses along the length thereof, at least some of the notches, grooves or recesses extending transversely across the complete width of the respective post or support member and the notches, grooves or recesses serving to provide registration for the elongate slats so that they can be affixed to the posts or support members in mutually overlapping or abutting relationship.

2. An assembly for providing means according to claim 1, the assembly comprising a plurality of posts or cross members intended to be mounted on spaced apart upright posts, each of said posts or cross members being formed with indentations in the form of notches, grooves or recesses some at least of which extend transversely across the complete width of the post or cross member in which they are formed, the indentations permitting slats to be located on said posts or cross members in close edge-to-edge, spaced or overlapping relationship.

4. An assembly according to either one of claims 2 and 3 wherein the posts or crossmembers are preferably formed of wood, rigid or semi-rigid plastics materials or of reinforced concrete.

5. An assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the slats and the wedge-shaped members can be formed of wood, rigid or semi-rigid plastics materials or of reinforced concrete.

7. A rectangular frame wherein two opposed members of the frame are formed with angled recesses each extending transversely across the width of the respective opposed members for locating parallel slats therein.