GB2400120A

GB2400120A - Wire mesh fence system

Info

Publication number: GB2400120A
Application number: GB0307706A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Thomas Frost
Original assignee: Bekaert Fencing Ltd
Current assignee: Bekaert Fencing Ltd
Priority date: 2003-04-03
Filing date: 2003-04-03
Publication date: 2004-10-06
Also published as: GB0307706D0

Abstract

A fencing system, particularly for temporary use, comprises a wire mesh panel 1 and an attachment for a support post 3 at each end, the attachment comprising at least one formation in which the support post 3 slidably fits, and is held adjacent one face of the panel 1. The vertical panel wires may be bent in one place, or towards upper and lower edges, so that the formation may be v-shaped 13 or box-shaped 4. There may be a duplex clip to lock vertical wires against posts 3, and the posts 3 may engage a foot or ground anchor.

Description

FENCING SYSTEM

This invention relates to fencing systems.

Temporary fencing is known and intended to provide a temporary or perhaps a sem- permanent means of enclosing an area, particularly potentially hazardous areas, or for controlling pedestrian and vehicular movement Ordinarily, such fencing is formed by fence panels of rectangular configuration, with an outer frame across which is positioned an appropriate wire mesh. The uprights to each end of the panel extend beyond the lower edge of the panel to provide a means of connection to the ground, or more usually, a foot of sufficient substance to hold the panel upright when subjected to reasonable force attempting to dislodge the panels.

To hold panels in side by side planar or angular disposition, separate connection means are required, usually in the form of a double-ended coupler, each end of which is able to be attached to the uprights at the ends of the panel.

Such panels are reasonably effective in use, but wire mesh panels with an integral peripheral frame are of relatively high weight, and are difficult to handle and transport.

The object of the invention is to provide fencing that overcomes those difficulties and disadvantages mentioned above.

According to the present invention, a fencing system comprises a wire mesh panel, a support post at each side edge of the panel and a means of attaching the wire mesh panel, said means comprising at least one formation at or adjacent each side edge of the wire mesh panel in which the respective support post is a sliding fit, and which holds the post closely adjacent one face of the wire mesh panel. There may be at least two formations on each side edge of the wire mesh panel in spaced relationship over its height, and preferably three formations.

Thus, with a post fitted at or towards each edge of the wire mesh panel, and with the posts of a length greater than the height of the panel, the posts can extend below the bottom edge of the panel to engage a foot or other ground anchor means, to locate the wire mesh panel in a required position.

The said formations adjacent the edges of the panel may be formed integral with the panel.

Thus, the panel may be bent towards its upper and preferably also its lower edges across its width to provide an angled flange-like configuration, the posts being inserted between transversely spaced wires of the flange-like configuration whereby to locate the pole against a face of the panel.

The formations can equally be a box-like configuration to form a strengthening ridge or S beam across the width of the panel, the upper and lower faces of a box-like configuration at or towards the upper end of the panel being oppositely inclined. The upper face may be longer than the lower face, such that with posts inserted between transversely spaced wires of the upper face of the box-like section, the post is again positioned against the inner face of the panel or the upper and lower faces of the box-like section may be of the same length to position the post against the outer face of the panel. With a box-like formation towards the lower edge of the panel, its upper face may be shorter than its lower face to allow the passage of the posts between the transversely spaced wires in the lower face and hold the post against the inner face of the panel, or of the same length to position the post against the outer face of the panel.

It is also possible for the wire mesh panels to be formed with upper and preferably additionally lower V-shaped strengthening ridges or beams, as are generally known. The V- shaped ridge or beam towards the upper end of the panel may have an upper inclined face longer than its oppositely inclined lower face When provided, a lower V-shaped ridge or beam has an upper inclined face shorter than its oppositely inclined lower face. As with a box-like formation, the upper and lower inclined faces can be of the same length such that a post can be inserted between adjacent wires of the upper face of the upper ridge and lower face of the lower ridge, to locate the posts against the inner face or the outer face of the wire mesh panel.

With the wire mesh panels so formed, the posts need be no more than plain rods or tubes, and hence of relatively low cost, and the formations in the panel not only enhance the strength characteristics of the panel, but also allows the panels to nest, for more efficient storage and transportation.

For security against ready removal of a panel, clip means can be provided to lock a vertical wire against its post. With two post and panel arrangements in side-by-sde arrangement, with each post fitted to an appropriate foot or ground anchor, the panels can be set in-line or at any required angular disposition, and the clip means being of duplex nature to allow the end wire of each panel to be locked to its post and to lock the adjacent posts together.

The invention provides a most effective fencing system, using components that are simple and relatively inexpensive, without detracting from the system being able to fence off any required area.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying schematic drawings in which Figures 1 to are schematic side elevations of parts of wire panels and posts in accordance with the invention.

In Figure 1, a wire mesh panel 1 is bent to form an upper flange 2 across its width.

Although not shown, the panel may also be bent at its lower end to form an oppositely inclined 10flange. A post 3 is inserted between transversely spaced wires of the panel on the inclined flange, at or adjacent the edge, to position the post in close proximity to one (inner) face of the panel In Figure 2, the wire mesh panel 1 is bent to form an upper box-like ridge or beam 4, with an upper face 5 longer than a lower face 6. Although not shown the lower end of the panel may be similarly bent to form a second ridge or beam, with its upper face shorter than its lower face.

15Here, a post Is Inserted between the transversely spaced wires of the upper and lower face of the or each box-like ridge or beam, to locate the post against one (inner) face of the panel.

Alternatively, as is shown In Figure 3, the box-like ridge or beam 7 has upper and lower faces 8, 9 of the same length, with consequent positioning of the post against one (outer) face of the panel.

Figures 4 and 5 illustrates constructions where V-shaped ridges or beams are formed 20across the panel 1 towards its upper end, and possibly towards its lower end In Figure 4, a V shaped ridge or beam 10 has an upper face 11 longer than a lower face 12. When provided towards its lower end, that V- shaped ridge or beam has an upper face shorter than its lower face Here, a post is inserted between transversely spaced wires in the upper and lower faces of the V shaped ridge or beam, to locate the post at or towards the edge of the panel against one (inner) 25face. In Figure 5, a V-shaped ridge or beam 13 is shown with upper and lower faces 14, 15 of the same length such that a post inserted between transversely spaced wires In the upper and lower faces is held against one (outer) face of the panel.

Claims

1. A fencing system comprising a wire mesh panel, a support post at each side edge of the panel and a means of attaching the wire mesh panel, said means comprising at least one formation at or adjacent each side edge of the wire mesh panel in which the respective support post is a sliding fit, and which holds the post closely adjacent one face

2 of the wire mesh panel 2. A fencing system as in Claim 1, wherein there are at least two formations on each side edge of the wire mesh panel in spaced relationship over its height

3. A fencing system as in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein a post is fitted at or towards each end of the wire mesh panel, of a length greater than the height of the panel, the posts extending below the bottom edge of the panel to engage a foot or ground anchors, whereby to locate the wire mesh panel in a required position.

4. A fencing system as in any of Claims 1 to 3 wherein the said formations adjacent the edges of the panel are formed integral with the panel.

5. A fencing system as in Claim 4, wherein the panel is bent towards its upper and preferably also its lower edges across its width to provide an angled flange-like configuration, the posts being inserted between transversely spaced wires of the flange-like configuration whereby to locate the pole against a face of the panel.

6. A fencing system as in any of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the formations are a box-like configuration to form a strengthening ridge or beam across the width of the panel, the upper and lower faces of a box-like configuration at or towards the upper end of the panel being oppositely inclined.

7. A fencing system as in Claim 6, wherein the upper face is longer than the lower face, such that with posts inserted between transversely spaced wires of the upper face of the box-like section, the post is positioned against the inner face of the panel.

8. A fencing system as in Claim 6, wherein the upper and lower faces of the box-like section are of the same length to position the post against the outer face of the panel.

9. A fencing system as in Claim 6, wherein a box-like formation towards the lower end of the panel has an upper face shorter than a lower face to allow the passage of posts and hold the posts against the inner face of the panel.

10. A fencing system as In Claim 6, wherein a box-lke formation towards the lower end of the panel has an upper face of the same length as a lower face to allow the passage of posts and hold the posts against the outer face of the panel.

11. A fencing system as in Claim 1, wherein the wire panels are formed with V-shaped ridges or beams at least towards the upper end, to allow the passage of support posts, with faces of the same or differing lengths to locate the support posts to one side or the other of the wire mesh panel.

12. A fencing system as in Claim 11, wherein upper and lower V-shaped ridges or beams are provided, the upper face of the upper V-shaped ridge or beam having the same longer length as the lower face of the lower Vshaped ridge or beam, and the lower face of the upper V-shaped ridge or beam having the same shorter length as the upper face of the lower Vshaped ridge or beam.

13. A fencing system as in any of Claims 1 to 12, wherein the support posts are plain rods l 5 or tubes.

14. A fencing system as in any of Claims 1 to 13, wherein clip means are provided to lock a vertical wire of the panel to a support post.

15. A fencing system substantially as herenbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.