Part for attaching at least one mesh panel to a fence post, corresponding fence post

Abstract

The invention relates to a fixing piece (3, 4) for at least one wire mesh panel (2) to a fence post (1), the fixing piece (3, 4)) being intended to fit into a groove (10) receiving the post (1) and to cooperate with the openings (121, 131) of each of the lateral walls (12, 13) of the post, the fixing piece (3, 4) being able to cooperate on the one hand with two openings (121, 131) of a first lateral wall (12, 13) of a groove (10) of the post and on the other hand with an opening (121, 131) of the second lateral wall (12, 13) of the groove (10).

Description

1. Field of the invention

[0001] The field of the invention is that of the design and manufacture of fencing.

[0002] The invention relates, according to a first aspect, to devices for securing rigid mesh panels to posts.

[0003] The invention relates, according to a second aspect, to posts intended to cooperate with at least one such securing device. 2. Prior art

[0004] Fences are commonly used to demarcate the edges of plots of land and / or to secure access to them.

[0005] Fences typically comprise posts whose lower end is secured to the ground, generally in such a way that they extend essentially vertically, and at least one separation element secured between two posts.

[0006] There are a wide variety of separating elements.

[0007] Fences can thus be made by attaching separation elements made of rigid mesh panels, for example, made up of a lattice of vertical and horizontal wires, to posts.

[0008] To do this, devices or parts are used to fix the panels to the posts, the latter having notches spaced vertically along a groove in the post.

[0009] Document EP 0 935 038 A1 describes a clip with one or two pairs of lugs intended to cooperate with notches on a post. Document WO 2010 / 121789 describes a claw clip which is not inserted into openings in a post but into a rebate of the latter. Current solutions for fixing panels to posts do not allow easy installation of fences when the ground is sloping.

[0010] In fact, they do not offer much latitude for vertical offsetting of the fence panels.

[0011] Furthermore, it is currently proposed to place screening elements between the vertical wires of the lattice panels to protect against prying eyes, in particular.

[0012] The wind resistance of a fence with such screening elements is therefore increased.

[0013] However, the fence posts may not be suitable to withstand these wind loads. 3. Statement of the invention

[0014] The invention is set forth in the attached set of claims.

[0015] The invention thus proposes a new solution for fixing at least one rigid mesh panel consisting of a lattice of vertical and horizontal wires to a fence post using grooves on opposite edges.

[0016] To do this, the openings of a first of the side walls of each of the grooves are positioned offset from the openings of the second of the side walls.

[0017] Furthermore, the fixing part is configured so as to cooperate on the one hand with two openings of a first of said side walls of the groove and on the other hand with an opening of the second of said side walls of the groove.

[0018] Thanks to this distribution of openings along the side walls of the grooves, the vertical fixing pitch of a panel to the post is finer.

[0019] This approach thus offers more possibilities for vertical offsetting of the panels along the posts, so that it is particularly suitable for installing fences on sloping (inclined) ground.

[0020] According to a particular aspect of the invention, the first and second holding lugs extend on either side of the longitudinal axis of the third holding lug, at equal distance from said longitudinal axis.

[0021] Preferably, the wings each have at least one light for the passage of a vertical wire of said panel.

[0022] According to a particular implementation, said plate comprises at least one hole for the passage of a screw for fixing said fixing part to said post.

[0023] The invention also relates to a fence post intended to cooperate with at least one fixing part as described above to fix at least one rigid mesh panel consisting of a lattice of vertical and horizontal wires to said post, said post comprising on two opposite sides a groove for receiving a vertical edge of a rigid mesh panel, said groove comprising a bottom wall and two side walls extending opposite each other substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall, openings being distributed regularly along each of the side walls of each of said grooves.

[0024] According to the invention, for each of said grooves, the openings of a first of said side walls are positioned offset from the openings of the second of said side walls in the longitudinal direction of said grooves.

[0025] According to a preferred implementation, the axis of the openings of the first of said side walls extends between the axes of two adjacent openings of the second of said side walls and at an equal distance from the latter.

[0026] Advantageously, said fence post has a hollow structure.

[0027] Advantageously, said fence post has an "I" shaped cross section.

[0028] Advantageously, said fence post comprises a reinforcing insert arranged in the hollow structure and intended to improve the mechanical strength of said post.

[0029] According to a particular implementation, said insert has an "I" shaped cross section.

[0030] Advantageously, said insert comprises several parts, for example three, assembled reversibly to each other.

[0031] The invention also relates to a fence comprising a plurality of support posts as described above between which extend panels assembled to said posts by at least two fixing pieces as described above.

[0032] Advantageously, the fence has hollow posts in each of which a reinforcement insert is positioned.

[0033] According to an aspect not covered by the present invention, there is known a tool for installing a fixing part as described above on a fence post as described above, said tool comprising two levers articulated together around an axis of rotation, a first lever comprising means for pressing said tool on said post and a second lever comprising a pusher element for moving said fixing part into one of said receiving grooves of said post so that said fixing part cooperates on the one hand with two openings of a first of said side walls of the groove and on the other hand with an opening of the second of said side walls of the groove.

[0034] Such a tool is suitable for positioning rigid or elastically deformable fixing parts.

[0035] Advantageously, said means for supporting said tool have a "U" shape.

[0036] Advantageously, said pusher element of said tool is mounted to be able to rotate at the end of said second lever. 4. List of figures

[0037] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description, given by way of illustrative and non-limiting example, with reference to the appended drawings, among which: there figure 1 is a three-dimensional view, from the left, of a portion of fencing, comprising a post in accordance with the invention and two rigid mesh panels each held by two rigid fixing pieces in accordance with the invention; figure 2 is a three-dimensional view, from the right, of the fence portion of the figure 1 ; there figure 3 is a close-up view, from the right, of the upper end of a fence post according to the invention; the figure 4is a close-up view, from the left, of the upper end of a fence post according to the invention; the Figure 5 is a close-up view of a central portion of a fence post and a rigid attachment part of a mesh panel to the post, in accordance with the invention; figure 6 is a transparent view of the Figure 5 , showing two rigid fixing pieces implemented on either side of the post; the figure 7 is a top view of a fence post according to the invention, showing two rigid fixing parts of a mesh panel implemented on either side of the post; the figure 8 illustrates a rigid fixing part in accordance with the invention, seen in three dimensions, from the front, from below and from the right; the figure 9 is a three-dimensional view of a reinforcement insert intended to cooperate with a hollow post of a fence; Figures 10A and 10Billustrate a tool for installing a rigid fixing part on a post; the Figures 11A And 11B represent the tool during its use for the installation of the rigid fixing part on a post; the Figures 12A to 12C illustrate the main steps of installing the rigid fixing part on the post using such a tool; the Figures 13A to 13F illustrate all the steps of installing the rigid fixing part on the post using such a tool; the figure 14 illustrates an elastic fixing piece presented for illustrative purposes, installed on a fence post; the figures 15 And 16 are different views of the elastic fixing part of the figure 14 . 5. Detailed description

[0038] THE figures 1 to 7illustrate a portion of a fence in which the invention is implemented, and more particularly a portion of a post 1 on which one or two rigid mesh panels 2 are secured (partially shown), each panel 2 being made up of a lattice of vertical strands or wires 21 and horizontal strands 22.

[0039] It is understood that the fence comprises several panels 2 of rigid mesh juxtaposed in order to delimit the edges of a plot of land and / or to secure its access.

[0040] The rigid mesh panels 2 are secured by two of their opposite vertical ends to posts 1 which are themselves fixed vertically to a support such as the ground.

[0041] Post 1 is made of a hollow metal profile having an "I" shaped cross-section.

[0042] It has two opposite interior grooves 10, with a U-shaped cross-section, dedicated to fixing the fence.

[0043] To do this, a vertical edge of a first mesh panel 2 is placed in the first groove 10 of the post 1, and a vertical edge of a second mesh panel 2 is placed in the second groove 10 of the same post 1, opposite the first groove 10.

[0044] The grooves 10 extend vertically over the entire height of the post 1.

[0045] As can be seen on the figure 3 in particular, each of the two grooves 10 of a post 1 comprises a flat bottom wall 11 and two side walls 12, 13 facing each other extending substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall 11.

[0046] Openings 121, 131, or notches, are distributed regularly along each of the side walls 12, 13 respectively.

[0047] As can be seen on the figure 6in particular, the spacing between the openings 121 of the side wall 12 of a groove 10 is constant and equal to the spacing between the openings 131 of the other side wall 13 of the same groove 10. It is, for example, 40 mm.

[0048] However, the openings 121 are not arranged opposite the openings 131 in the longitudinal direction of each groove 10, but are located between two adjacent openings 131.

[0049] It has been represented on the figures 4 And 6 , the horizontal axis A1 of each of the openings 121 and the horizontal axis A2 of each of the openings 131.

[0050] As can be seen, the A1 and A2 axes are offset in height from each other, with each A1 axis extending approximately equidistant from two consecutive A2 axes (and vice versa).

[0051] Thanks to this distribution of the openings 121, 131 along the walls 12, 13, the vertical fixing pitch of a panel 2 to the post 1 is finer and equal to 20 mm in this example.

[0052] In other words, relative to a first panel 2 fixed in a first groove 10 of a post 1, a second panel 2 can be fixed in the opposite groove 10 of the post 1 while being offset downwards by a distance, or no fixing, smaller than in the prior art (substantially half as small).

[0053] This approach thus offers more possibilities for vertical offsetting of the panels along the posts 1, so that it is particularly suitable for installing fences on inclined (i.e. sloping) ground.

[0054] This approach also limits the number of perforations in the posts and provides a post with improved mechanical resistance.

[0055] Indeed, if to obtain the same result as the invention, the post 1 were perforated with as many openings 121, 131 facing each other on each of its walls 12, 13, the mechanical resistance of the post would be reduced.

[0056] According to the approach of the present invention, the mechanical resistance of the post is equivalent to that of conventionally used posts, and the fixing pitch of the mesh panels 2 on the post 1 is reduced compared to the prior art.

[0057] The securing of a rigid mesh panel 2 to a post 1 is carried out by means of at least one rigid fixing device or part 3, illustrated in the different views of the figure 8 , or by means of at least one flexible fixing device or part 4, illustrated in the figures 14 to 16 . Rigid fixing part

[0058] As can be seen on the Figures 1 and 2 ,several rigid fixing pieces 3 are necessary to ensure the fixing of a rigid mesh panel 2 to two spaced posts 1, namely one on each side of the panel 2 in the upper part and one on each side of the panel 2 in the lower part, or two on each side of the panel 2.

[0059] The fixing parts 3 are sized to fit into the grooves 10 of the posts 1.

[0060] Such a fixing part 3 is metallic and comprises a plate 31 which is essentially flat and rectangular, extended at two of its opposite ends by a wing 30 which extends essentially perpendicular to the plate 31 towards the inside of the post 1 when the fixing part 3 is put in place. ( figure 6 ).

[0061] Each end of the wings 30 is intended to come into abutment against the bottom wall 11 of a groove 10 of the post 1.

[0062] When the fixing part 3 is placed on a post 1, the plate 31 is substantially parallel to the bottom wall 11 of the groove 10, and each wing 30 is substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall 11.

[0063] The width of the plate 31 is slightly less than the width of the grooves 10 of the post 1.

[0064] Each of the wings 30 has a lug or finger 32 for holding the mesh panel 2 on the post 1 and spaced housings 35 provided to accommodate a vertical wire 21 of a mesh panel 2. ( figure 6 ).

[0065] The housings 35 of one wing 30 are arranged opposite the housings of the other wing 30 so as to form, with the bottom wall 11 of the groove 10, passage channels for the vertical wires of a mesh panel 2.

[0066] The first and second holding lugs 32 extend over a first edge of the fixing device 3 and are intended to cooperate with two adjacent openings 131 of a first side wall 13 of a groove 10 of the post 1. ( figure 6 ).

[0067] The first and second holding lugs 32 are spaced 40 mm apart in this example, i.e. the distance between two consecutive openings 131.

[0068] On the second edge of the fixing piece 3, opposite the first edge, extends a third retaining lug 33 of the mesh panel 2 on the post 1, intended to cooperate with an opening 121 of a second side wall 12 of the same groove 10.

[0069] The third retaining lug 33, taking the form of a rectangular tab, extends in the plane of the plate 31 in a first direction.

[0070] The first and second holding lugs 32, each having a pointed end intended to be introduced into an opening, extend in the plane of the wings 30 in a second direction, opposite to the first direction.

[0071] The first and second holding lugs 32 extend on either side of the longitudinal axis B of the third holding lug 33, at equal distance (20 mm, for example) from said longitudinal axis B.

[0072] The shape of the holding lugs 32, 33 is not limited to that illustrated in the figures and could take any suitable shape to cooperate with the openings 121, 131.

[0073] Advantageously, the fixing part 3 can be mounted in a groove 10 of a post 1 in one direction or the other, that is to say by making the holding lugs 32, 33 cooperate indifferently with the openings 121, 131 of the first or second side wall 12, 13, which further simplifies the fixing of a panel 2 on a post 1 and reduces the installation time of the fence (this possibility is illustrated in the figure 7 , For example).

[0074] According to a particular implementation, the openings 121, 131 can be closed by pre-cut tabs (not illustrated), the holding lugs 32, 33 of the fixing part 3 pushing back the tabs when the latter is fixed to the post 1.

[0075] As visible on the figure 6 ,the fixing part 3 is capable of enclosing in the housings 35, or lights, provided for this purpose at least one vertical wire 21 of at least one panel 2 on a post 1.

[0076] It is noted that the fixing part 3 has one or more holes 34 for the passage of a screw for fixing the fixing device 3 to the post 1, such as a self-breaking screw or a conventional screw.

[0077] The fixing part 3 is thus made non-removable.

[0078] Two fixing pieces 3 can be mounted opposite each other in the two respective grooves 10 of a fence post 1, as illustrated in the figure 7 .

[0079] In this way, two panels 2 are connected to the same post 1, the two panels 2 being able to extend in the same vertical plane or in two vertical planes inclined at an angle chosen by the operator (this is the case in the example of the figure 7 ).

[0080] If the fence is installed on sloping ground, the fixing parts 3 arranged in each of the grooves 10 of a post 1 can be offset vertically.

[0081] So, in the example of the figure 6 , the fixing pieces 3 arranged in each of the grooves 10 of the post 1 are offset vertically relative to each other, by one fixing pitch.

[0082] The solution of the invention makes it possible to further simplify the fixing of a mesh panel on a post, and more generally facilitates the manufacture and installation of the fence elements, particularly in cases where the fence must be installed on sloping ground.

[0083] The fixing part 3, which is metallic, can be installed by a single person and allows the panel(s) to be firmly held on a post. Rigid fixing part installation tool

[0084] The assembly of the fixing part 3 in the groove 10 of the post 1 is relatively simple and requires inserting the holding finger 33 into an opening of a first side wall of a groove 10, then pushing the fixing part 3 to the bottom of the groove 10 while ensuring that the two holding fingers 32 are inserted into two adjacent openings of the second side wall.

[0085] The fixing piece, or clip, 3 is then snapped into the groove 10 and holds the panel 2 on the post 1 (a vertical wire of the panel 2 passing through a housing 35 defined in the fixing piece 3).

[0086] The metal fixing part 3, given its rigidity, must be force-fitted into the groove 10 of the post 1.

[0087] Preferably, an assembly tool 50 can be used by the operator to insert the holding lugs 32, 33 into the corresponding openings 121, 131 of the groove 10 of the post 1.

[0088] The use of an articulated hand tool makes it possible, in particular, to avoid damage to the post, such as scratches, which can be unsightly.

[0089] Such an assembly tool 50 is described in connection with the figures 10 has 13F .

[0090] This tool 50, visible in particular on the figure 10 , comprises two levers 51, 52 intended to be manipulated with one hand.

[0091] A first lever 51 is extended by an elongated body 53 having at its end two branches 531, 532 forming a "U" the first branch 531 extending in the extension of the body 53 and the second branch 532 perpendicular to the latter.

[0092] These branches 531, 532 are intended to come into contact with the post 1, in particular into contact with two opposite surfaces of the “I” profile, as illustrated in the Figures 11A and 11B And 12A à12C They grip one edge of post 1 like a stirrup and allow the buttressed support of tool 50 on post 1.

[0093] The branch 531 has at its end a blade 5311 projecting towards the branch 532. This blade 5311 participates in the arched support of the tool 50 on the post 1 and constitutes a support surface for the fixing device 3 intended to be mounted in a groove of the post 1.

[0094] The branch 532 has at its end a curved edge 5321 extending parallel to the branch 531.

[0095] The body 53 has an articulation axis X1 of the first lever 51 with the second lever 52.

[0096] The second arm forming a lever 52 is also extended by a body 54.

[0097] A return spring 55 is connected at its ends to the first lever 51 and to the second lever 52, and aims to keep the latter apart.

[0098] The second lever 52 carries on two opposite faces two symmetrical yokes 56, assembled by screwing on either side of the main body 54.

[0099] Each yoke 56 is made up of a thin metal plate cut in a general “Z” shape, comprising near its center a first orifice intended to be crossed by the articulation axis X1, and at its upper end a second orifice intended to be crossed by a second articulation axis X2 of a pusher element 57 relative to the yokes 56.

[0100] This pusher element 57 has a general “T” shape, the base of which includes a transverse through hole for the passage of the articulation axis X2, and the upper part of which has a rectangular flat bearing surface, intended to come to rest against the plate 31 of a fixing part 3. The ends of the flat bearing surface are curved to best grip the plate as can be seen in the Figure 11A .

[0101] The operation of this tool 50 is now described in relation to the Figures 12A, 12B and 12C .

[0102] The tool 50 is positioned on an edge of the post 1 so that the two branches 531, 532 forming "U"-shaped support means grip this edge.

[0103] The blade 5311 is positioned in the groove 10 and comes to bear against the second side wall 13 of the groove 10.

[0104] In the position of the Figure 12A ,the tool 50 is in the “rest” position: the return spring 55 keeps the two levers 51, 52 at a distance from each other, so that the tool is “open”.

[0105] The third holding lug 33 of the fixing part 3 is introduced by an operator into an opening of the first side wall 12 of the groove 10, opposite the area of ​​the post where the tool is placed.

[0106] The edge of the fixing part 3 carrying the first and second holding lugs 32 then rests against the bearing surface of the pusher element 57 and the blade 5311 of the tool 50.

[0107] As illustrated in the Figure 12B , when the operator brings the levers 51, 52 of the tool 50 towards each other, the blade 5311 and the pusher element 57 are moved in translation towards the inside of the groove 10, thus applying a pushing force to the fixing part 3.

[0108] The pusher element 57, pivotally mounted around the articulation axis X2, is subject to a slight rotation relative to the yokes 56, which ensures that its bearing surface remains in permanent contact with the plate 31 of the fixing part 3.

[0109] The end of the fixing part 3 which was not yet completely placed in the groove 10 of the post is thus forced back until the first and second holding lugs 32 are snapped into corresponding openings of the second side wall 13 of the groove 10, as illustrated in the Figure 12C .

[0110] During the phase of bringing together the arms forming levers 51, 52, the fixing part 3, which is incompressible, tends to locally and elastically deform the section of the post 1 to allow the engagement of the first and second holding lugs 32 in corresponding openings of the second side wall 13.

[0111] THE Figures 13A to 13F represent the different stages of the installation of the fixing part 3 by means of the tool 50, during the operation of installing a fence, in the case where the fixing part 3 serves as a supporting support for the panel or grid 2.

[0112] Tool 50 is used here on the inside of the fence

[0113] The tool 50 can also be used on the external side of the fence, in the case where the fixing part 3 serves as a lifting retainer for the panel or grid 2.

[0114] Advantageously, the tool 50 can therefore be used on any side of the fence, which allows the operator to adapt to the different assembly constraints of the fences, and in particular to the direction in which the fixing part 3 is introduced into the post (the fixing part being able to be mounted in a groove 10 of a post 1 in one direction or the other).

[0115] There Figure 13Ashows the positioning of tool 50 on an edge of post 1. The Figures 13B and 13C show the two-stage positioning of the fixing part 3 in a groove 10 of the post 1. The Figures 13D and 13E show the movement of the lever 52 towards the lever 51 allowing the fixing part 3 to be pushed to the bottom of the groove 10, parallel to the bottom surface. The Figure 13F shows the fixing part 3 once positioned in the groove 10, the tool having been removed. Flexible fixing piece

[0116] An alternative to the fixing part 3, not covered by the claims, is shown for illustrative purposes in the figures 14, 15 And 16 .

[0117] The fixing piece, or clip, 4 shown has a different structure from the fixing piece 3 shown above, but retains the same function and cooperates with the post and the mesh panels in the same way as before.

[0118] On the other hand, it is made of polymer and is therefore relatively flexible and deformable unlike the fixing part 3 which is made of metal and therefore relatively rigid.

[0119] The numerical references corresponding to post 1 and mesh panels 2 are retained (grooves 10, bottom walls 11, side walls 12, 13, mesh wires 21, 22, openings 121, 131, etc.).

[0120] Several fixing pieces 4 are necessary to ensure the fixing of a rigid mesh panel 2 to two spaced posts 1, namely one on each side of the panel 2 in the upper part and one on each side of the panel 2 in the lower part, or two on each side of the panel 2.

[0121] The elastic fixing parts 4 are sized to fit into the grooves 10 of the posts 1.

[0122] Such a fixing part 4 is made of polymer, for example plastic. It can be made of polyamide 6, for example.

[0123] This fixing part 4 also has a parallelepiped shape, and a width slightly less than the width of the grooves 10 of the post 1.

[0124] It has two opposite edges 40 intended to come into contact with the side walls 12, 13 of a groove 10 of the post 1.

[0125] A first of these edges 40 comprises a first and a second lug, or notches, 42 at its ends, the second of these edges 40 comprising a third lug or notch 43 for holding the mesh panel 2 on the post 1.

[0126] These three lugs 42, 43 have a prism shape suitable for being introduced into the openings 121, 131 of a groove in the post. They thus have a square section and an inclined face of the order of 12° which is sized to prevent accidental removal of the fixing part 4 once the latter is placed on a post.

[0127] Any other suitable shape of the lugs 42, 43 could of course be used.

[0128] The fixing part 4 has on one face parallel channels 45 intended to form, with the bottom wall 11 of the groove 10, passage channels for the vertical wires 21 of a mesh panel 2. ( figures 15 And 16 ).

[0129] Furthermore, the face of the fixing part 4, opposite the face in which the channels 45 are formed, is not flat. It comprises longitudinal ribs 41A, 41B, extending parallel to the channels 45, between the latter.

[0130] In the illustrated example, the fixing part 4 has three channels 45, two pairs of central ribs 41A, and two lateral ribs 41B located near the edges 40. The four central ribs 41A are deeper than the two lateral ribs 41B.

[0131] Other forms of ribs 41A, 41B may be considered.

[0132] The thickness "e" of the fixing part 4, visible in particular on the figure 16 , is substantially constant over its length and width.

[0133] This particular structure of the fixing part 4 as well as the polymer material which is used for its production, facilitate the assembly of the part on a post, and in particular allows the fixing part 4 to be compressed elastically, in a direction transverse to the channels 45 and ribs 41A, 41B.

[0134] This fixing part 4, due to its ability to deform, does not require a specific tool for its installation on the post 1, or even for its removal.

[0135] To insert it into a groove 10 of the post 1, the operator must manually bring the edges 40 of the fixing part 4 together, then, once the fixing part 4 is positioned, release them so that the fixing part 4 returns to its initial shape.

[0136] When the fixing part 4 is placed on a post 1, the surface carrying the ribs 41A, 41B is substantially parallel to the bottom wall 11 of the groove 10, and each edge 40 is substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall 11.

[0137] The width of the fixing part 4 is slightly less than the width of the grooves 10 of the post 1.

[0138] The first and second holding lugs 42 extend over a first edge 40 of the fixing device 4 and are intended to cooperate with two adjacent openings 131 of a first side wall 13 of a groove 10 of the post 1.

[0139] The first and second holding lugs 42 are spaced 40 mm apart in this example, i.e. the distance between two consecutive openings 131.

[0140] On the second edge 40 of the fixing piece 3, opposite the first edge 40, extends a third retaining lug 43 of the mesh panel 2 on the post 1, intended to cooperate with an opening 121 of a second side wall 12 of the same groove 10.

[0141] The third holding lug 43 extends between the two faces of the fixing device 4 in a first direction.

[0142] The first and second holding lugs 42 extend between the two faces of the fixing device 4 in a second direction, opposite to the first direction.

[0143] The first and second holding lugs 42 extend on either side of the longitudinal axis B of the third holding lug 43, at equal distance (20 mm, for example) from said longitudinal axis B ( figure 16 ).

[0144] The shape of the holding lugs 42, 43 is not limited to that illustrated in the figures and could take any suitable shape to cooperate with the openings 121, 131.

[0145] Advantageously, the fixing part 4 can be mounted in a groove 10 of a post 1 in one direction or the other, that is to say by making the holding lugs 42, 43 cooperate indifferently with the openings 121, 131 of the first or second side wall 12, 13, which further simplifies the fixing of a panel 2 on a post 1 and reduces the installation time of the fence.

[0146] Two fixing pieces 4 can be mounted opposite each other in the two respective grooves 10 of a fence post 1, as illustrated in the figure 14 .

[0147] In this way, two panels 2 are connected to the same post 1, the two panels 2 being able to extend in the same vertical plane or in two vertical planes inclined at an angle chosen by the operator.

[0148] If the fence is installed on sloping ground, the fixing parts 4 arranged in each of the grooves 10 of a post 1 can be offset vertically.

[0149] Thus, the fixing pieces 4 arranged in each of the grooves 10 of the post 1 can be offset vertically relative to each other, by one fixing step.

[0150] This further simplifies the fixing of a mesh panel to a post, and generally facilitates the manufacture and installation of the fence elements, particularly in cases where the fence must be installed on sloping ground.

[0151] The fixing part 4, which is deformable, can be installed by a single person and allows the panel(s) to be firmly held on a post.

[0152] It should be noted that the fixing part 4 can be put in place using the tool 50 described previously according to the different installation steps, during the operation of installing a fence, detailed previously. Reinforcing element of a fence post

[0153] In order to optimize the mechanical resistance of the hollow posts, in particular when screening elements are interposed between the vertical wires of the panels 2, it is also proposed to use a reinforcement 5 which can be inserted inside the hollow posts 1, for example through the top of the post.

[0154] Post 1 can then be topped with a closing cap which is clipped onto post 1.

[0155] This internal reinforcement 5, illustrated on the figure 9 ,has a cross-section in the shape of 1 and can be made up of three independent parts 51, 52, 53 which can be manually assembled in a reversible manner.

[0156] The three parts 51, 52, 53 can be connected to each other by a mortise and tenon joint, for example.

[0157] The storage and transport of the three parts 51, 52, 53 can be done "flat", the three parts being dismantled and stacked.

[0158] The reinforcement 5 may have another shape and be sized to be used in other types of posts than that illustrated in the figures and forming the subject of the invention.

[0159] The internal reinforcement can be one-piece in one variant.

[0160] It is made of a material that meets the expected resistance levels, for example steels, alloys, composites.

[0161] Such internal reinforcements 5 can be inserted into the posts of a fence at the time of installation but also after the latter has been installed so as to further stiffen it.

Claims

1. Fastening part (3) intended to fasten at least one rigid mesh panel (2) consisting of a lattice of vertical (21) and horizontal (22) wires to a fence post (1) comprising, on two opposite sides, a groove (10) for receiving a vertical edge of said mesh panel (2), each of said grooves (10) comprising a bottom wall (11) and two lateral walls (12, 13) extending opposite to each other substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall (11), openings (121, 131) being regularly distributed along each of the lateral walls (12, 13) of each of said grooves (10), the openings (121, 131) of a first of the lateral walls (12, 13) of each said grooves (10) being positioned offset from the openings (121, 131) of the second of said lateral walls (12, 13) in the longitudinal direction of said grooves (10), said fastening part (3) of said panel (2) on the post (1) being intended to be housed in one of said grooves (10) for receiving the post (1) and to cooperate with the openings (121, 131) of each of the lateral walls (12, 13) of the groove (10), said fastening part (3) comprising three holding lugs, namely: - on a first edge, first and second holding lugs (32) for holding said panel (2) on said post (1) which are spaced apart and intended to cooperate with two openings (121, 131) of a first of said lateral walls (12, 13) of the groove (10), and - on a second edge, opposite to the first edge, a third holding lug (33) for holding said panel (2) on said post (1) intended to cooperate with an opening (121, 131) of a second of said lateral walls (12, 13) of the groove (10), characterised in that said fastening part (3) comprises a plate (31) extended at two of the opposite ends thereof by a wing (30) extending essentially perpendicular to the plate (31) and each intended to bear against the bottom wall (11) of a groove (10) of the post (1), the third lug (33) extending in the plane of the plate (31) in a first direction, each of the first and second holding lugs (32) extending in the plane of one of the wings (30) in a second direction, opposite to the first direction.

2. Fastening part (3) according to claim 1, characterised in that the first and second holding lugs (32) extend on either side of the longitudinal axis (B) of the third holding lug (33), at an equal distance from said longitudinal axis (B).

3. Fastening part (3) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the wings (30) each have at least one orifice (35) for the passage of a vertical wire (21, 22) of said panel (2).

4. Fastening part (3) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that said plate (31) comprises at least one hole (34) for the passage of a screw for fastening said fastening part (3) to said post (1).

5. Fence post (1) intended to cooperate with at least one fastening part (3, 4) according to one of claims 1 to 4, to fasten at least one rigid mesh panel (2) consisting of a lattice of vertical (21) and horizontal (22) wires to said post (1), said post (1) comprising, on two opposite sides, a groove (10) for receiving a vertical edge of a rigid mesh panel (2), said groove (10) comprising a bottom wall (11) and two lateral walls (12, 13) extending opposite to each other substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall (11), openings (121, 131) being distributed regularly along each of the lateral walls (12, 13) of each of said grooves (10), said post (1) being characterised in that, for each of said grooves (10), the openings (121, 131) of a first of said lateral walls (12, 13) are positioned offset from the openings (121, 131) of the second of said lateral walls (12, 13) in the longitudinal direction of said grooves (10).

6. Fence post (1) according to claim 5, characterised in that the axis of the openings (121, 131) of the first of said lateral walls (12, 13) extends between the axes of two adjacent openings (121, 131) of the second of said lateral walls (12, 13) and at an equal distance from the latter.

7. Fence post (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterised in that it has a hollow structure.

8. Fence post (1) according to claim 7, characterised in that it comprises a reinforcement insert (5) disposed in the hollow structure and intended to improve the mechanical strength of said post (1).

9. Fence post (1) according to claim 8, characterised in that said insert (5) comprises three portions (51, 52, 53) which are reversibly assembled to each other.

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