WO1994028272A1

WO1994028272A1 - A fence

Info

Publication number: WO1994028272A1
Application number: PCT/FI1994/000202
Authority: WO
Inventors: Otto Oskari Pakarinen
Original assignee: Ottotuote Ky
Priority date: 1993-05-26
Filing date: 1994-05-20
Publication date: 1994-12-08
Also published as: FI932387A0; FI932387A; AU6652594A

Abstract

The invention concerns a fence, which is formed of fence posts (2), and support components (3, 4) attached to them, on which the support bars carrying the fence elements (5) are supported. The fence elements (5) are set on the lower support bar (13) on top of or parallel to one another and the upper support bar (12) locks them in place.

Description

A FENCE

This invention concerns a fence, and in particular such a fence that is suitable for very many different purposes and which can be freely adapted, for example according to the landform, and also according to its external appearance. In addition, the fence is easily erected at the place of installation.

Fences are constructed for a great many different purposes, in the most various places differing greatly from one another. Someone may want a fence purely as a visual barrier, for someone else on the other hand it is important to reduce traffic noise, and for some an aesthetic appearance may be important in addition to, or in place of the former. Everything considered, the ease of erection of fences is also an important point.

Depending on the purpose, various materials are used to manufacture fences; in noise barriers solid concrete structures are often used, in garden fences on the other hand various forms of wood are the most common material, and metal, especially in various sheet forms, is generally used only for industrial fences.

For many purposes a drawback is structures of a monotonous appearance and otherwise the existence of only a few basic types, so that the constructions look like one another. In many cases the construction of fences is also carried out in a complicated and difficult manner, for example one plank at a time. When considering fences that may be of a considerable length, building with material "by the running metre" is not appropriate.

An additional disadvantage in many state of the art fences is that the form of the ground can only be taken into account to a limited extent, so that the fence can only be altered in large sections or by adding structural components, such as posts.

The purpose of this invention is to achieve such a fence construction that will permit very wide variation precisely in external character, using one and the same basic structure. In addition, a fence according to the invention is easily adapted during installation to suit the landform. Further, it is easy to erect a fence according to the invention at the place of installation, as to a great extent it utilizes ready-made components.

The above-mentioned and other advantages and benefits of the invention are achieved by means of a fence, the characteristic features of which are described in the accompanying claims.

The following detailed description of the invention is made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows one embodiment of the invention seen directly from the side;

Figure 2 shows a fence post used in a fence in accordance with

Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 shows the attachment component used in the fence post in greater detail;

Figure 4 is an enlarged picture of the area of the upper attachment component seen in side view and also as a cross-section showing the joint of the attachment component to the fence element;

Figure 5 is a depiction, similar to Figure 4, of the lower attachment component;

Figure 6 shows a short stretch of the support structure, which runs along the foot of the three-element stretch of the fence, shown in Figure 1 ; and

Figure 7 shows one possible form of the edges of the fence elements, in which case the upper and lower support beams of the invention are schematically marked on the cross-section on the left-hand border of the Figure. The figures thus show one embodiment of the invention, which is in no way intended to limit the invention, but is one example of the application in practice of a fence according to the invention.

Figure 1 shows a general view of a stretch of fence, in which fence 1 is supported by posts 2 in the area between them. The posts are especially, as is shown later, formed by two tubes or bars. Fence 1 is supported by the posts through an upper support component 3 and a lower support component 4 in a manner later shown in greater detail. The lower support components 4 carry a separate support bar, which is not described in greater detail in this Figure. The fence is formed by elements 5, which are laid next to/on top of one another on the lower support bar.

In the fence elements 5 there is especially a frame 6, within which the covering material is always selected in accordance with requirements and conditions. The material may be wood, sheet metal, or any other suitable material, which can be shaped to provide various external forms. It should be noted already at this stage that the division of the fence elements 5 can be any that is desired. Thus if it is wished, the size and form of the elements can be selected in such a way that the elements are both next to and on top of one another in the space between two fence posts. The concave-convex form of attachment that is shown later makes possible many kinds of patterns among the elements.

Figure 2 shows a side view of a fence post in accordance with the invention. The post is formed by double tubes or bars 2, which are connected to one another in a suitable manner at their upper end. Support components 3 and 4 also act to support the tubes 2 on one another as is shown in the following Figure 3. Reference number 7 marks the concrete base, to which suitable pins 8 are secured inside the posts in such a way that the post can be suitably lifted into position so that the lower ends of the post tubes 2 go on top of the parts of the pins 8 that rise above the upper surface of the base 7. At this stage the final desired height of the fence post is adjusted if required by cutting a suitable piece off the lower ends of tubes 2, 2. However, there are many other ways of putting the posts 2 firmly in place in relation to the concrete base 7. For example it can be shown that a simpler method is such in which the lower ends of the tubes or bars of the post 2 are pushed into suitable holes in the concrete base 7.

There is further reason to state that the above-mentioned form of location is in no way limited to the concrete base solution presented above, but that securing may be carried out in a conventional manner into other kinds of existing structures, such as a wall.

Figure 3 shows, as stated above, support component 3 or 4. The support components may be identical. What is shown is a cross-section of a structure in accordance with Figure 2. Thus the support component 3 is formed by collar-like components 9, inside which the tubes 2 of the post are intended to be set, a waisted component 10 between the collar¬ like components 9, as well as tube-like protrusions 11 that are essentially horizontal in practice. The tube-like protrusions 11 supporting the fence structure may be on only one side of the support component 3 or, as shown in Figure 3 on both sides of it. The purpose is then to provide support and to act as a carrier to support the fence components that begin from either side of the post. A form of support in accordance with one embodiment is presented later.

In what follows, reference is made to all of Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7, with the aid of which the assembly and securing of the fence into a totality is described.

Figures 4 and 5 show how the upper support component 3 and the lower support component 4 act to secure the fence elements 5 into a total unit. As has been described above, there is in both the upper and lower support components a tube-like, laterally directed protrusion 11 , which is attached to the waist 10 of the support component 3 or 4, and the assembly of the fence takes place supported by these protruding parts 1 1.

Figure 7 again shows how the fence elements 5 are formed to fit one another through a combination of suitable concave and convex edges and also how the upper edge of the elements is given a convex shape and the lower edge correspondingly a concave shape. Instead of the fence being one in which there are elements 5 set next to one another, it is possible to use constructions in which the elements are both next to one another and on top of each other. Thus a fence construction with a highly varied appearance is achieved. The convex and concave shapes of the fence elements are now exploited to fit the elements into a complete fence.

The upper 12 and lower 13 support bars, which are, as can be seen from the drawing, adapted to the form of the edges of the fence and are depicted elsewhere in this description, are also marked in the cross- section of the fence element at the left-hand edge of Figure 7.

The support bar, which is manufactured principally from a tube-like material 13, and which forms an essentially stiff structure from one post to the next and consists in this case of a three part construction for three fence elements 5, is attached to the lower support component 4, which is attached to the fence post at a suitable height. As can be seen from Figure 1 , the central fence element 5 is set higher than the neighbouring elements, on account of an obstacle in the ground. Thus the rise is achieved according to the invention as shown in Figure 6, i.e. an adjustment component 15 made principally from a flat steel bar, which in this case lifts the support tube 13 upwards for a certain distance, is attached to the generally tube-like lower support bar. It is naturally possible to execute the adjustment in another direction than upwards, for example sideways, if such an adjustment is considered desirable.

The lower support bar, which consists of a tube 13 and possible adjustment components 15, is placed between two separate posts and supported from both ends on the protrusion 11 of the support component 4. In the manner shown in Figure 5 the protrusion 11 penetrates tube 13. The attachment of components 11 and 13 to one another is carried out in a suitable manner, when it is possible to use a suitable device or method to permit movement caused by thermal expansion. One such method could be the use of elongated or oval bolt holes. After this, the stiff support bar is ready to receive the elements 5. The lower edge of the frame 6 of the fence element 5, which thus approximately matches the upper surface of tube 13, is marked schematically in Figure 5 by reference number 14.

When the fence is assembled, the elements, which in the manner shown in Figure 7 are suitable shaped to one another at the edges, are laid next to one another and possibly also on top of one another on the lower support bar, in which case they gain mutual support both from one another and from the lower support bar, by means of suitable concave and convex surfaces. The totality formed by all the elements 5 is temporarily supported in place and the elements are secured in the desired relation to one another using their frames as a point of attachment.

After this a complete final stiffening is carried out by using the upper support component 3 and its protrusion 11.

An upper support bar 12 extending from one fence post to the next, which is essentially the same shape as the upper edge of the fence elements, principally convex, is set in place for final support. At both ends of the upper support bar 12 there is a collar-like component 16, into which the protrusion 11 of the upper support component 3 is set.

The collar-like component 16 at the end of the upper support bar 12 is such in size that the protrusion 11 of the upper support component 3 fits quite tightly into component 16. This is because components 11 and 16 are not secured to one another, the intention being rather that the movements caused by thermal expansion and contraction can find a place to slide over each other in this joint. Also the upper support component 3 is not secured to the post, because in this way vertical movements in the fence due to thermal expansion are made possible. The upper support bar 12 remains firmly in place with the aid of protrusion 11, but at the same time movements that reduce the durability of the fence are taken into account in such a way that they do not break the structure. The upper support bar 12 is attached to the frames 6 of the elements 5.

The construction of a fence in accordance with the invention takes place at the place of installation itself quite simply and with little trouble. Most of the work takes place before transportation to the place of installation. In principle, the entire operation is as follows.

First of all a plan is made of the place of construction, is which the distance between the posts is decided, and thus how many fence elements there will be between the posts. On the other hand, it is possible to use fence elements of different sizes at different places. Then a plan is made of how high the elements will be located in relation to one another, whether each element will be higher or lower in relation to the adjacent elements or offset from their principal line. On the basis of the plan the lower and upper support bars are made ready for installation so that the fence can be assembled according to the plan.

At the place of installation, pits are excavated for the concrete bases 7, the bases 7 are supported in place, the posts 2 are cut to a suitable length if required and the upper and lower support components 3 and 4 are slipped over the posts and the posts set onto their pins 8 in the concrete bases. The lower support components 4 are secured to the posts at a suitable height and after that the lower support bar 13, 15 is secured by means of the protrusion 11 to the lower support components 4. After setting the fence elements 5 in place and supporting them temporarily the totality is locked in place using the upper support bar 12, the upper support component 3, and its protrusion 11.

The fence elements 5 are particularly frames, the infill of which can be arranged according to requirements. In particular, this creates the possibility of building so-called landscape fences, as it is easy to design and fill the frame with material of precisely the right type, with exactly the correct form to give the desired artistic or landscape effect. The size of the fence elements can also be chosen for example in such a way that elements of full height and half height, and/or elements of full and half width are used with suitable variation. The final result can be formed in many ways by means of element selection.

It is clear that in a fence according to the invention the shapes of the tube and other components used are often not critical from the point of view of the invention. Thus, for example, a round tube-like shape is in no way the only possible shape for the fence posts. The tube can indeed be a solid bar, or it may have a square, triangular, or hexagonal cross- section. It is of course obvious that the shape of the parts 9 of the support components 3 and 4 that come round the posts will be altered in a corresponding manner.

In a similar way, the shape of the edges of the fence elements 5 can be altered in a desired fashion. It is, however, advantageous if the side edges and upper and lower edges are given a shape that has the effect of making them support one another. The shaping of the upper and lower edge also has significance in that, by means of the afore¬ mentioned combination of concave and convex shapes, it is possible to ensure that the element remains on the lower support bar. It must of course be stated that numerous other shapes and means are known in the state of the art by means of which a similar supporting effect can be created. The intention of the convex shape of the elements and the upper support bar is to create an effect that will protect the construction in such a way that water will run off it, and not lie in it. It can be further stated that grooves, ridges, and other shapes by means of which stability is further improved, can be added to the surfaces, if desired and if such shapes otherwise suit the conditions of use.

It has ready been stated that the fence can be enlivened by arranged bar-like adjustment components 13 to the lower support bar 13 in such a way that they move the level of the fence laterally instead of moving it vertically. This adjustment can be selected to a desired size and the distance between two posts 2 can even be divided into several divisions of varying "depth".

One further interesting and effective manner of making the fence personal is to make it curved or slanting, a curved fence is made simply by making the upper and lower support bars curved, which in practice means that each bar makes a bend in accordance with the division of the elements at the point of junction of the elements. The fence will nonetheless be tight, because by means of the concave and convex side surfaces of the elements that fit into one another it is easy to make a bend without any special operations.

By means of the arrangement according to the invention it is also possible to make a sloping fence in such a way that the fence surface is either straight or, in addition, curved. By manufacturing the upper support bar 12 so that it is equipped with such lateral adjustment components that move the collar-like attachment component 16 for a desired distance laterally away from the general level of the upper support bar, and by then attaching the collars 16 to the protrusions 11 of the upper support components 3, a support for the bar 12 is created in a place on the upper edge of the element 5 that is away from the straight line between the protrusions 11 , which case is illustrated in the case of Figure 4 above.

Furthermore, also in the above-mentioned curved and sloping solutions the convex and concave surfaces of the elements and lower and upper support bars operate as suitable surfaces, by means of which it is possible to turn the elements away from the general surface of the fence.

The natural material of the structures in accordance with the invention is metal, and in particular iron or steel, and quite particularly corrosion- protected iron material. Any known protection at all, especially galvanizing, can be used as corrosion protection. In addition, all of the elements can be surface treated in a suitable manner. Painting and plastic coating appear to be the most suitable surface treatments.

Claims

1. A fence, in which there are posts (2) and a fence surface construction supported on them, which consists of an upper support bar (12) and a lower support bar (13), which are supported between the posts (2) and of fence elements (5) set between the bars, characterized in that the upper surface of the lower support bar (13) is convex in order to support the concave lower edge of the fence element (5) and that the upper support bar (12) is concave in shape in order to support the convex upper surface of the fence element (5).

2. A fence according to Claim 1, characterized in that the upper support bar (12 ) and the lower support bar (13) are supported on the posts with the aid of support components (3, 4).

3. A fence according to Claim 2, characterized in that the support components (3, 4) include protrusions (11) for attachment.

4. A fence according to Claim 2, characterized in that the support components (3, 4) consist of collar-like parts slipped over the posts (2), a waist (10) between them to which the protrusion/s (11) is/are attached.

5. A fence according to Claim 4, characterized in that the protrusions (11) extend in either one or two directions from the waist (10).

6. A fence according to Claim 1, characterized in that the posts (2) are formed from two parallel tubes or bars (2).

7. A fence according to Claim 6, characterized in that the tubes or bars (2) are connected to one another at their upper ends and also connected by the support components (3, 4).

8. A fence according to Claim 6, characterized in that the tube-like fence posts (2) are intended to be attached for example to pins (8) in a concrete base (7) by being slipped over the top of them.

9. A fence according to Claim 1, characterized in that both the lower and upper support bars are formed by a single component between two posts (2).

10. A fence according to one of the above Claims, characterized in that the lower support bar is in general tube-like (13), in which case it has if required bar-like adj ustment components ( 15) for variations in the height of lateral position of the fence elements (5).

11. A fence according to one of the above Claims, characterized in that there are several fence elements (5) between the upper and lower support bars and that they are possibly of different sizes.

12. A fence according to Claim 11 , characterized in that the fence elements (5) are installed in such a way that they form either a straight flat surface, a curved partial surface, or a sloping flat or curved surface.