GB2371058A

GB2371058A - Mesh enclosure

Info

Publication number: GB2371058A
Application number: GB0116962A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Glyn Wilde; Sera Grace Serfoezo
Original assignee: Heras Fencing Systems UK Ltd
Current assignee: Heras Fencing Systems UK Ltd
Priority date: 2001-01-15
Filing date: 2001-07-12
Publication date: 2002-07-17
Also published as: GB0116962D0

Abstract

A dismantleable mesh enclosure 1, in particular for gas cylinders has a wall comprising a number of panels 2, 3, 4, 5 which are hinged together at their vertical edges so as to fold flat for transport. A hinged door 8 is provided in one of the panels 2, and a roof 6 is attached to the panels 2, 3, 4, 5 after assembly by means of projecting lugs. The panels 2, 3, 4, 5 are made partly or wholly from welded steel or plastics mesh. The enclosure may be freestanding; a floor may be provided.

Description

Mesh enclosure This invention relates to enclosures, and particularly free standing enclosures, formed partly or wholly from panels of mesh, such as welded steel mesh.

Mesh enclosures are typically free standing enclosures comprising panels of mesh supported at their edges by a rigid framework so as to form three, four or more enclosing sides, often with a hinged door for access. A roof made from the same material is commonly provided, and the structure may be attached to the ground. An integral floor may be included. The panels may enclose the internal space on all sides, or alternatively the enclosure may be placed against a wall, the wall then forming one side of the enclosure; in this case the enclosure is preferably fastened to the wall. The mesh is commonly a square steel welded mesh, attached to the framework by welding or bolting. However, other types of mesh and other constructional methods may be used.

Mesh enclosures benefit from uninterrupted ventilation, making them particularly suitable for applications such as housing gas cylinders or restraining animals. Gas cylinders for example require to be housed where they are protected against damage, vandalism or theft; however, an enclosure built from solid material may trap a dangerous volume of escaping gas and therefore form an explosion hazard, and steel mesh enclosures are therefore commonly used for this purpose.

Mesh enclosures may be transported as a set of component panels to the required location and assembled on site; the panels benefit from being relatively lightweight compared with panels of solid materials. However, the process of assembly may be time consuming and laborious, and typically involves

identifying the correct configuration of the panels, which may be confusing, and applying many nuts and bolts, some of which may become mislaid or damaged.

It is difficult to move such enclosures and transport them to a new location.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a mesh enclosure which may be easily erected and dismantled.

According to the present invention there is provided an erectable and dismantlable enclosure including at least three wall panels, each wall panel having two opposite vertical edges and a top edge, and attachment means whereby at least one vertical edge of each wall panel is attached to an adjacent wall panel, such that the wall panels support each other in the erect position to form together an enclosing wall; the attachment means including hinge means whereby the enclosure may be folded into a substantially flat assembly, without disconnecting the hinge means; and characterised in that at least part of the enclosure is formed as a mesh attached to a framework.

Various embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a free standing enclosure according to a first embodiment of the present invention ; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the roof panel of the enclosure shown in Fig. 1; and Figure 3 shows a plan view of the wall of the enclosure shown in Fig. 1 in a dismantled condition.

Referring to Figure 1, a free standing enclosure 1 is shown assembled ready for use. The enclosure 1 comprises a wall formed from four wall panels 2,3, 4,5, and further comprises a roof panel 6. Each panel is formed from a framework of square steel tubes, with panels of welded steel mesh attached to the framework so as to form a continuous surface; for clarity, the mesh is shown only on panel 5, but in practice all of the panels are so formed. The mesh may be attached by welding, riveting or other convenient means, and each panel is preferably galvanised so as to resist corrosion. The said framework might alternatively be formed from steel angle or other suitable material.

A doorframe 7 is formed in panel 2, and a hinged door 8 is retained therein by hinges 9. Like the panels, the door is covered in welded steel mesh. Each hinge 9 comprises an upwardly extending pin attached to the doorframe 7 and a corresponding socket on the door 8, which is lowered into place so that the said pins engage in the said sockets. When the door 8 is closed, its upper edge if raised will abut against the upper edge of the doorframe 7, preventing removal of the door 8 from its hinges. Locking means 10 are provided for locking the door 8.

Each of the panels 2, 3, 4 and 5 is attached at its vertical edges 14 to the adjacent panels by means of hinges 11.

Referring now to all the figures, a roof panel 6 is constructed similarly to the panels 3,4 and 5, and is provided with projecting lugs 12. During assembly, the wall of the enclosure, comprising panels 2,3, 4 and 5, is delivered to the required location in a folded state, shown in Figure 3, together with the roof panel 6. The said wall is then held upright and extended in the direction of the arrows shown in Fig. 3 into its unfolded freestanding position. The roof panel 6 is then lowered into place on the top edges of the wall panels so that each lug 12 locates in the open end 13 of one of the tubes forming the vertical edges 14 of panels 2 and 4. Each lug is then fastened to the said tube by means of a bolt 15 passing therethrough. The roof panel 6 holds the wall in its assembled position.

The enclosure 1 is therefore quickly and securely assembled using only four bolts.

Fixing points 16 are provided to facilitate the attachment of the enclosure 1 to the ground; further fixing points may be provided for attachment to a wall or the like.

Alternatively, hinges may be provided in place of two adjacent lugs 12, the roof panel 6 being hinged to the panel 4 with two lugs 12 provided in the side opposite the hinges.

In a second embodiment the enclosure is formed partly from mesh and partly from solid materials such as steel or plastics sheet. For example, the roof of the enclosure may be formed from corrugated plastics material or galvanised steel

sheet, attached to a framework by riveting or the like means, and the top edge of the wall is formed such that when installed, the roof panel slopes downwardly away from the front of the enclosure. This construction offers the advantage that the contents of the enclosure are partially protected from rain and sun, yet ventilation is unimpaired. A floor panel, made for example from steel or plywood sheet on a steel tube framework, may also be provided to keep the contents off the ground.

The panels forming the wall may be formed partly from mesh and partly from solid materials. For example, the panel forming the front of the enclosure, and the door incorporated therein, may be formed from galvanised steel sheet, offering increased security, whilst the panels forming the sides are formed as a mesh to ensure ventilation.

Alternatively, one or more panels may be formed with a solid sheet forming part of the panel and a mesh part covering the remainder of the panel. For example, the upper part of each panel may comprise galvanised steel sheet, and the lower part, welded steel mesh, both sheet and mesh being supported by a framework of galvanised steel tube. When used in combination with a plastics material or galvanised steel sheet roof panel, this pattern offers superior protection from windblown rain whilst still ensuring adequate ventilation for the contents of the enclosure.

In a further alternative embodiment, the wall is formed from three panels in a triangular configuration, and the adjacent vertical edges of two of the panels are attached together by means of bolts or the like. These edges are detached to enable the enclosure to be folded for transportation or storage. Alternatively the wall may be formed from five or more hinged panels. Again, some of the panels

may be attached as necessary to adjacent panels by means of bolts or the like, enabling the wall of the enclosure to be folded or divided into two or more parts for transportation.

In a still further alternative embodiment the wall of the enclosure comprises three or more wall panels hinged together, and the free ends of the outer panels are provided with means for attachment to the wall of a building so that when erected the wall of the building forms the remaining side of the enclosure.

In the abovedescribed embodiments a galvanised, welded steel mesh and framework is used, and this provides a good level of security and rigidity for the enclosure. However it will be appreciated that other materials may be used to form the mesh and the framework, depending on the intended use of the enclosure. For example, a plastics mesh supported by an aluminium framework may be preferred where the enclosure is to be used as a transportable enclosure.

The door may be divided into upper and lower parts and a mesh floor may be provided.

The abovedescribed embodiments are provided for illustrative purposes only, and many alternative configurations of panels and doors and combinations of mesh and solid materials will suggest themselves to one skilled in the art upon studying the foregoing description and accompanying drawings.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. An erectable and dismantlable enclosure comprising at least three wall panels, each wall panel having two opposite vertical edges and a top edge, and attachment means whereby at least one vertical edge of each wall panel is attached to an adjacent wall panel, such that the wall panels support each other in the erect position to form together an enclosing wall; the attachment means including hinge means whereby the enclosure may be folded into a substantially flat assembly, without disconnecting the hinge means; and characterised in that at least part of the enclosure is formed as a mesh attached to a framework.
2. An enclosure according to claim 1, characterised in that the wall comprises four wall panels, each of the wall panels being attached to two adjacent wall panels by hinge means.
3. An enclosure according to either of claims I or 2, characterised in that there is further provided a roof panel which is attached to the top edges of the wall panels to form a roof.
4. An enclosure according to claim 3, characterised in that the roof panel is provided with lugs, the lugs being located in holes provided in the top edges of the wall panels so as to attach the roof panel thereto.
5. An enclosure according to claim 3, characterised in that the roof panel is provided with hinges on one side thereof, which hinges are attached to the top edge of a wall panel.
6. An enclosure according to any preceding claim, characterised in that at least part of each wall panel is formed as a mesh attached to a framework.
7. An enclosure according to any preceding claim, characterised in that at least one wall panel is formed entirely as a mesh attached to a framework.
8. An enclosure according to any preceding claim, characterised in that each wall panel is formed entirely as a mesh attached to a framework.
9. An enclosure according to any preceding claim, characterised in that a hinged door is provided in one of the wall panels.
10. An enclosure according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the enclosure is a freestanding enclosure.
11. An enclosure substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying descriptions and drawings.
12. Any novel and inventive feature or combination of features specifically disclosed herein within the meaning of Article 4H of the International Convention (Paris Convention).