ZAUNSYSTEM

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a fencing system.

[0002] More specifically, the invention is designed for a type of fence which comprises: support stakes between which are arranged so-called 3D wire panels in the form of a wire mesh consisting of vertical wires which are connected by means of horizontal wires, in which the vertical wires are provided, at determined heights, with a fold which extends along only one side of the panel and which defines a horizontal recess; a series of robust slats in the form of extruded profiles made of a synthetic material, which are applied on the side of the fold between the vertical wires; in which the slats are pressed with a support wall against the horizontal wires by means of a clamping bar between the slats and a horizontal wire at the height of the horizontal recesses.

[0003] In the case of known fences of this type, the slats are compressed in their upper part against the wires by means of a finishing rail which mainly has a U-shaped configuration, which is fixed by clamping using fixing clips over the upper edge of the 3D panel and over the uppermost ends of the slats below the lowermost horizontal wire.

[0004] To hold the slats in place, when viewed from above, the slats are provided, on the side facing the wires, with a small downward-facing inclined lip which acts as a clip that prevents the slats from sliding downwards and with which the slats come to rest on the uppermost horizontal wire.

[0005] Over time, these small lips tend to no longer hold the slats, so much so that the slats slide down involuntarily.

[0006] The small lips are extruded together with the slat profiles and are bent outwards when in use.

[0007] The disadvantage of the small lips is that they have the same minimal thickness as the wall thickness of the profiles, so they are not strong enough and cannot be further reinforced.

[0008] A disadvantage associated with this is that when, in the case of incorrect assembly, the slats are removed from below out of the finishing rail, the small lip remains hooked behind the uppermost horizontal wire and is then folded upwards, so that there is a risk of breaking it, and this is certainly the case when the disassembly and reassembly have to be repeated several times.

[0009] The clamping of a finishing rail of this type is far from ideal and based on the movements of the finishing rail due to temperature fluctuations, the finishing rail can become deformed and detach by unclipping.

[0010] The finishing rail is sized in such a way that it must rest in its upper part on the uppermost ends of the vertical wires of the 3D panel, so that it can be fixed using the fixing clips below the lowest horizontal wire of the panel, which has the disadvantage that the slats cannot protrude above the 3D panel, otherwise the finishing rail could not be fixed by snapping.

[0011] EP3670790A1 aims to attach slats to existing fences using a connecting element independent of the material from which the slats are made and independent of the dimensions of the slats. A hole is provided in the slats from the front to the back of the slat. The connecting element consists of a head and one or more legs, the head being larger than the hole. The connecting element is inserted into the hole so that the head bears against the front of the slat and the legs protrude through the hole at the back to be attached to a horizontal wire of the fence.

[0012] EP2924193B1 aims to prevent the slat from loosening and / or rattling by the wind. A slat is provided with a hollow space at the bottom which is accessible from the underside of the slat. A bracket is provided with a hook-shaped part which allows the support bracket to be fixed to a horizontal wire of the mesh and a support part with a lip which acts as an elastic clamping piece. The lip is inserted into the hollow space of the slat from the bottom of the slat so that the slat is supported from below and clamped with the rear wall.

[0013] FR3081898A1 relates to the fixing of screening slats on rigid fences, with documents EP3249139B1 and EP3502379B1 also disclosing terrace profiles that can be used for this purpose.

[0014] The present invention aims to provide a solution for one or more of the aforementioned drawbacks as well as others.

[0015] For this purpose, the invention relates to a fencing system in which: the slats are provided with a recess near their uppermost ends; and the slats are held individually by means of a fixing clip which engages with an upwardly projecting hook-shaped lip in the recess of the relevant slat, and which is provided with a fixing clip detail for the purpose of snapping the fixing clip onto a horizontal wire of the 3D panel.

[0016] Fixing clips of this type can easily be applied and detached again by unsnapping several times without running the risk of being damaged, in such a way that the problem of sagging can be avoided.

[0017] Since the fixing clips are separate parts that do not have to be extruded as a component together with the slats, the fixing clips can be made to be as robust as needed so that they can be reused many times.

[0018] According to the invention, the slats represent extruded hollow profiles made from a synthetic material, in which the fixing clips are inserted with their lips into the hollow of the slats, hooking into them, via a passage provided in the aforementioned support wall of the profiles.

[0019] According to the invention, the fixing clips, besides the aforementioned first lip, are also provided with a second lip which projects upwards along the outer edge of the supporting wall and the supporting wall of a slat in the assembled state is clamped between the two lips of the fixing clips.

[0020] In this way the slat is firmly fixed.

[0021] Preferably, the fixing clip is provided with an elastic fixing clip bracket with which the fixing clip can be snapped onto the horizontal wire, wherein the fixing clip bracket is made in a tubular shape which has an opening whose width is less than that of the external diameter of the horizontal wire of the 3D panel on which the fixing clips are snapped.

[0022] Preferably, the free edges of the opening of the fixing clip yoke are folded back to form an entrance that extends into a conical-shaped configuration for a horizontal wire. Therefore, the fixing clips can be snap-fastened without the need for a tool.

[0023] The clamping bars are preferably made from a synthetic material, in the form of elastic profiles which mainly have a V-shaped configuration, the tip of which is made with a concave shape which, in the assembled state, is inserted into the horizontal recess of the 3D panel against a horizontal grain in the recess, in such a way that the clamping bar is clamped between this horizontal grain and the slats.

[0024] Over the top edge of the 3D panel and over the uppermost ends of the slats, a finishing strip is applied which has a U-shaped configuration for aesthetic finishing reasons.

[0025] In the best case, the finishing strip is made in the form of an elastic profile in the form of a fixing clip which can be fixed by snapping over the fixing clips of the slats.

[0026] This way, the fixing clips remain hidden under the finishing rail and it also prevents the fixing clips from coming loose unintentionally.

[0027] For this purpose, the finishing rail is applied by snapping on with one branch over the fixing clips, the branch in question being provided, on its free edge, with a hook-shaped element folded inwards which, in the assembled state, hooks onto the fixing clips from below.

[0028] Preferably, the branch with the hook-shaped element on its inner side is provided with an elastic lip which, in the assembled state, exerts pressure on the vertical threads of the 3D panel, in such a way that the finishing rail is firmly fixed and cannot give rise to rattling.

[0029] Preferably, a gutter is formed by means of the hook-shaped element of the branch in question, with which the finishing rail can be arranged over the fixing clips and is thus protected against detachment or against unintentional upward sliding.

[0030] Preferably, the finishing rail protrudes, in the assembled state, with its base, over a certain distance, above the upper edge of the 3D panel.

[0031] Therefore, there is free space above the upper horizontal wire of the 3D panel, so that the system is suitable for several lengths of pins, i.e. for several lengths of the ends of the vertical wires above the upper horizontal wire.

[0032] In the finishing rails, guides can be provided for insertion in order to be able to couple the finishing rails to each other in their reciprocal extension by means of connecting strips which can be inserted in a suitable manner into the guides. Consequently, the ends of the finishing rails connected to each other connect reciprocally while being perfectly aligned with each other.

[0033] Also disclosed is a fixing clip and a finishing rail which are designed to be applied in a fencing system as described above.

[0034] In order to better indicate characteristics of the invention, a preferred embodiment of a fencing system according to the invention as well as a fixing clip and a finishing rail which accompany it is described below, by way of example without any limitation, with reference to the appended drawings in which: There figure 1 schematically and in perspective represents a sectional view taken through a fence which is constructed using a fencing system according to the invention; figures 2 and 2a represent the closure of the figure 1 during its construction; the figure 3 represents on a larger scale the part which is indicated in figure 2a by the box F3; the figure 4 represents a rear view of the part which is represented by the frame F4 in figure 2a; the figure 5 represents a section along line VV in the figure 4 ; THE figures 6 et 7 respectively represent the separate components which are indicated in figure 4 by F6 and F7; the figure 8 represents on a larger scale the part which is indicated by F8 in the figure 4 ; there figure 9 represents the closure of the figure 1 when it is finished; the figure 10 represents the individual part that is indicated in figure 1 by F10; the figure 11 represents a sectional view taken along line XI-XI in figure 1 .

[0035] The closing of the figure 1 is constructed from 2 support stakes between which 3D wire panels are applied.

[0036] 3D panels are known panels in the form of a wire mesh consisting of vertical wires 4 which are connected by means of horizontal wires 5, as shown in figure 2 .

[0037] As can best be seen in the figures 1 à 3 , the vertical wires 4 are provided, at determined heights above the ground, with a fold 6 which has a V-shaped configuration, which projects along one side of the panel 3 and which defines, along the other side, a horizontal recess 7.

[0038] Between the vertical wires 4, sturdy slats 8 are applied, which form a protection against seeing through the fence 1 and which are pressed, on the side of the fold, against the horizontal wires 5 by means of a horizontal clamping bar 9 which is clamped between the slats 8 and a horizontal wire 5' in the horizontal recess 7 at the height of the tip of the fold 6, as shown in the figures 3 And 5 .

[0039] The clamping bars 9 are made in the form of profiles from a synthetic material, which mainly have a V-shaped configuration, the tip of which is made with a concave-shaped hollow configuration 10 which, in the assembled state, is hooked, over the horizontal wire 5', to the base of the horizontal recess 7.

[0040] The free edges 11 of the branches 12 of the clamping bar which has a V-shaped configuration are folded towards each other.

[0041] The wedge enclosed between the branches 12 exhibits a capacity for elastic deformation, which makes it possible to obtain an elastic embedding by tightening the slats 8 against the horizontal wires 5.

[0042] The slats 8 are produced in the example in the form of hollow profiles made of synthetic material which comprise a clamping wall 8' on the side of the clamping bars 9 and a support wall 8" on the opposite side, said support wall being applied by clamping against the horizontal wires 5.

[0043] The slats 8 are provided, near their uppermost ends, with a passage 13 made in the walls 8' and 8" which is intended to hold the slats 8 in the vertical direction by means of elastic fixing clips 14 which are fixed by snap-fastening between the vertical wires 4 over the uppermost horizontal wire 5 in the manner as can be seen in the figures 4 And 5 .

[0044] For this purpose, the fixing clips 14 comprise a fixing clip detail in the form of a tubular-shaped fixing clip bracket 15 which comprises an opening 16 in its lower part with which the fixing clip 14 can be snap-fastened over the uppermost horizontal wire 5, wherein the width A of the opening 16 is less than the outer diameter B of the uppermost horizontal wire 5, where the fixing clip 14 is snap-fastened.

[0045] The edges 17 of the opening 16 of the bracket 15 of the fixing clip are folded back to form an entrance which extends into a conical-shaped configuration for a horizontal wire 5.

[0046] The fixing clips 14 are provided, in their upper part, with a first hook-shaped lip 18 which projects upwards and which, in the assembled state, hooks through the recess 7 behind the support wall 8" into the hollow of the corresponding slat 8 in order to hold the slat in the vertical position.

[0047] In addition to the aforementioned first lip 18, the fixing clip 8 is also provided with a second lip 19 which projects upwards and which, in the mounted state, exerts pressure on the external side of the supporting wall 8''.

[0048] The lips 18 and 19 are designed in such a way that the supporting wall 8'' is clamped between them in the assembled state, as can be seen in figure 5 .

[0049] To be able to build the fence, as illustrated in figure 2 , the clamping bars 9 are applied and held one by one in the recesses by sliding a first slat 8 between the clamping bars 9 and the horizontal wires 5 and then sliding a second slat in the same way in order to fix the clamping bars 9 which have been applied.

[0050] Subsequently, the other slats 8 can be applied and each time fixed to the uppermost horizontal wire by means of the fixing clips 14 in order to obtain a dense partitioning as shown in figure 2 .

[0051] For finishing purposes of the fence, one or more finishing rails 20 are applied at the top, which mainly have a U-shaped configuration, which are slid over the upper edge of the 3D panel 3 and over the uppermost ends of the slats 8.

[0052] The finishing rail 20, as shown in figure 10 is produced in the form of an elastic profile in the form of a fixing clip which can be fixed by snap-fastening over the fixing clips 14 of the slats 8 with a branch 20' on the clamping side 8' of the slats 8 and with another branch 20" on the other side 8''.

[0053] The branch 20" is provided, at its free edge, with a hook-shaped element 20, folded inwards which, in the assembled state, hooks below the fixing clips 14, and which is provided, on its internal side, with an elastic lip 22 which, in the assembled state, exerts pressure on the vertical wires 4 of the 3D panel 3, as shown in figure 11 .

[0054] The lip 22 and the hook-shaped element 21 of the relevant branch 20" together define an open gutter 23 with which the finishing rail 20 is arranged over the fixing clips 14, as shown in figure 11 .

[0055] The fencing system is dimensioned in such a way that in the assembled state of the figure 11 , there is still a free distance C between the base 20''' of the finishing rail 20 and the upper horizontal grain of the 3D panel, so that the system proves to be suitable for several lengths of spikes, that is to say for several lengths of the ends of the vertical wires above the upper horizontal grain.

[0056] The finishing rail 20 rests with the lip 22 on fixing clips 14, so that the finishing rail 20 cannot slide too deeply over the panel 3 and the slats 8.

[0057] Since, per panel 3, between the support stakes 2, several finishing rails 20 are needed to span the distance separating the support stakes 2, these can be connected to each other in reciprocal extensions by means of a connecting strip 24 which is suitably slid into the two ends of the finishing rails 20 which are to be connected, in the manner shown in figures 9 And 11 .

[0058] For this purpose, in the example, a guide 25 is provided in the finishing rails 20 for insertion.

[0059] The present invention is in no way limited to the embodiment described by way of example and shown in the figures; on the contrary, a fencing system according to the invention as well as the fixing clips and finishing rails which accompany it can be produced in all kinds of shapes and dimensions, without departing from the scope of the invention, defined by the attached claims.

Claims

1. Fencing system comprising: - support posts (2) between which commonly called 3D wire panels (3) are arranged in the form of a screen consisting of vertical wires (4) tied to horizontal wires (5), wherein the vertical wires (4) are provided with a fold (6) at determined heights extending along one side of the panel and defining a horizontal recess (7); - a series of robust slats (8) which are applied on the side of the fold (6) between the vertical wires (4); - wherein the slats (8) are pressed with a supporting partition (8") against the horizontal wires (5) by means of a clamping bar (9) between the slats and a horizontal wire (5') at the level of the horizontal recess (7), - the slats (8) are provided with a passage (13) at their uppermost ends; - and the slats (8) are kept in place individually by means of a fixing clamp (14) which is provided with a fixing clamp detail (15) intended for click-locking the fixing clamp (14) onto a horizontal wire (5) of the 3D panel (3), characterised in that the slats (8) represent hollow profiles made from a synthetic material; wherein the fixing clamps (14) engage with a lip (18) in the form of a hook which protrudes upwards into the cavity of the slats (8) through the passage (13) in the afore-mentioned supporting partition (8") of the slats (8), and wherein the fixing clamps (14), next to the afore-mentioned first lip (18) are provided with a second lip protruding upwards (19) which, in mounted condition, is positioned along the outer side of the supporting partition (8"), wherein the supporting partition (8"} is enclosed between the two lips (18, 19) of the fixing clamps (14).

2. Fencing system according to claim 1, characterised in that the fixing clamp detail (15) of the fixing clamp (14) is executed in the shape of a bracket of the fixing clamp with which the fixing clamp (14) can be click-locked onto the horizontal wire (5).

3. Fencing system according to claim 2, characterised in that the bracket of the fixing clamp is executed in a tubular form with an opening (16) whose width (A) is smaller than the external diameter (B) of the horizontal wire (5) of the 3D panel (3) at the place where the fixing clamp (14) is intended to be click-locked.

4. Fencing system according to claim 3, characterised in that the loose edges (17) of the opening (16} of the bracket (15) of the fixing clamp are folded to obtain an entry which extends in a cone-shaped configuration for a horizontal wire (5).

5. Fencing system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the fixing clamps (14) are intended to be click-locked onto the uppermost horizontal wire (5) and in that the passage (13) applied in the slats (8) is arranged such that, in this case, the uppermost end of the slats (8) is located approximately at the height of the uppermost end of the 3D panel (3).

6. Fencing system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the slats (8) and the fixing clamps (14) are made from a synthetic material.

7. Fencing system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the clamping bars (9) are executed in the form of profiles having a substantially V-shaped configuration, the tip of which is executed with a hollowed-out concave-shaped configuration (10) which, in mounted condition, fits into the horizontal recess (7) of the 3D panel (3) against a horizontal wire (5) in said recess (7).

8. Fencing system according to claim 7, characterised in that the loose edges (11) of the profile (9) having a V-shaped configuration are bent towards each other.

9. Fencing system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a finishing rail (20) having a U-shaped configuration is applied over the upper edge of the 3D panel (3) and over the uppermost ends of the slats (8).

10. Fencing system according to claim 9, characterised in that the finishing rail (20) is executed in the manner of a flexible profile in the form of a fixing clamp which can be click-locked over the fixing clamps (14) of the slats (8).

11. Fencing system according to claim 9 or 10, characterised in that the finishing rail (20) is click-locked with a branch (20") over the fixing clamps (14); said branch (20), at its lowermost loose edge, being provided with an inwardly folded element in the form of a hook (21) which, in mounted condition, engages under the fixing clamps (14).

12. Fencing system according to claim 11, characterised in that the branch (20"), which comprises the hook-shaped element (21), is provided, on its inner side, with an elastic lip (22) which, in mounted condition, exerts pressure on the vertical wires (4) of the 3D panel (3).

13. Fencing system according to claim 11, characterised in that the lip (22) and the hook-shaped element (21) of the relevant branch (20") define an open groove (23) with which the finishing rail (20) comes to lie over the fixing clamps (14).

14. Fencing system according to any one of the claims from 9 to 13, characterised in that the base (20") of the finishing rail (20), in mounted condition, protrudes over a certain distance (C) upwards beyond the upper edge of the 3D panel (3).

15. Fencing system according to any one of the claims from 9 to 14, characterised in that it is provided with connecting strips (24) for connecting mutual extensions of adjoining finishing rails (20); wherein, to this end, guides (25) are provided in the finishing rails (20) in which the connecting strips (24) can be slid fittingly.