Screen fence

Abstract

A fence panel comprising at least one rail (2) and bars (3) mounted in said at least one rail (2), each bar (3) having a through hole (32) extending into a mounting portion (30) of the bar (3) housed in said at least one rail (2). The panel (1) further comprises two rods (4) and a joining accessory, each rod (4) passing through a subset of said bars via the through holes (32) and being fixed at a first end (41) of said joining accessory.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a fence grid, as well as a gate comprising a frame on which the fence grid is mounted.

[0002] A fence panel typically consists of at least one rail and several bars attached to the rail. Generally, once the fence panel is installed, the rail extends horizontally and the bars extend vertically.

[0003] In this context, systems are known for locking vertical bars into a horizontal rail. For example, US patent 4,610,109 discloses a grid comprising a horizontal rail and vertical bars passing through it. Each vertical bar has a through hole extending into a portion designed to be housed within the horizontal rail. The grid also includes a rod or cable passing through the bars via the through holes and attached to end bars on either side of the rail.

[0004] The solution proposed in this document is not entirely satisfactory, particularly for long fence panels. Although the vertical bars are fixed to the horizontal rail by means of the rod or cable, they can move slightly, or even deform in the vertical plane over time. Document NL1002257C discloses a fence panel that incorporates the features of the preamble to claim 1.

[0005] The present invention aims to resolve at least one of the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing a grid in which the immobilization of the bars relative to the rail is improved.

[0006] The invention relates to a fence grid comprising at least one rail and bars mounted in said at least one rail, each bar comprising a through hole extending into a portion of the bar mounting housed in said at least one rail.

[0007] According to the invention, the grid further comprises two rods and an assembly accessory, each rod passing through a subset of said bars through the through holes and being fixed at a first end of said assembly accessory.

[0008] Thus, each rod is fixed at one end to the same assembly accessory between each subset of bars. The assembly accessory thus extends into the rail.

[0009] The proposed solution allows for a simple locking of the bars' movement within the rail. In this assembly, the joining accessory is advantageously positioned between two bars, further improving their stability.

[0010] Thanks to the assembly accessory, it is also possible to create long grids while avoiding movement and deformation of the bars.

[0011] Furthermore, using two rods simplifies the grid assembly. Since each rod passes through a subset of bars rather than all of them, it is easier to insert the rod into the through holes during assembly. In this regard, each rod can be sized or cut to the correct length during assembly to allow for easy insertion into a subset of bars.

[0012] Furthermore, the resulting grid is modular. During assembly, the bars are inserted sequentially into the rail, and each subset of bars is secured with a rod. This allows for easy modification of the grid's appearance, for example, by using bars of different colors.

[0013] Finally, the modularity of the assembly is also ensured by the ability to easily shorten the length of the grid during installation. Specifically, the rods and the rail can be cut to the desired length.

[0014] According to one characteristic, the assembly accessory extends along the length of said at least one rail, the assembly accessory having a length substantially equal to the length of the space between two bars.

[0015] The assembly accessory thus dimensioned can be wedged between two bars so as to block its movement and in particular its translation inside the rail.

[0016] According to one characteristic, said at least one rail is a hollow profile defining a cavity in which the mounting portion of the bars is housed, the cavity being filled with insulating foam extending between the bars.

[0017] The insulating foam, positioned in this way, further restricts the movement of the bars. It fills the gap or space in the rail where the bar could otherwise move.

[0018] Besides the advantage of structural stability, this helps to avoid sound vibrations due to the movement of the bars in the rail under the effect of the wind, for example.

[0019] Finally, the insulating foam helps to ensure the grid is watertight and thus protects it from rain infiltration, for example.

[0020] According to one characteristic, the grid has two end bars between which the other bars extend, each rod being fixed at a second end to a fixing piece that comes into contact with one of the two end bars.

[0021] The bars are thus kept in place on both sides of the rail.

[0022] According to one characteristic, each fastener piece includes an opening configured to allow the introduction of insulating foam into said at least one rail.

[0023] The opening allows the insulating foam to be inserted once the bars have been installed in the rail. The insulating foam can be expanding foam.

[0024] According to one characteristic, one end of said bars is housed in said at least one rail.

[0025] In other words, the bars do not pass through the rail. This avoids the risk of injury and accidents, especially when the fence is used to delimit a children's play area.

[0026] According to one characteristic, the grid has two rails, with the bars mounted at each end in the two rails.

[0027] According to one feature, the grid comprises four rods and two assembly accessories, each bar comprising two through holes extending each into a mounting portion housed in one of said two rails, each rod passing through a set of bars by the through holes and being fixed at one end to one of said two assembly accessories.

[0028] According to one feature, the rod is fixed by screwing it into a tapped hole in the assembly accessory.

[0029] This facilitates the attachment of the rod to the assembly accessory and the fixing piece. The bars are held fixed in each of the two rails.

[0030] According to one characteristic, each rod is a threaded rod along its entire length.

[0031] The stem can therefore be shortened at any point without worrying about the need, when cutting, to keep an area containing a thread.

[0032] The invention also relates to a gate comprising a frame on which is mounted a fence grid having the aforementioned characteristics.

[0033] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the following description with reference to the attached drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples: there figure 1 is a front view of a fence panel according to one embodiment of the invention; the figure 2 is a detailed view of a fence panel assembly accessory; the figure 3 is a detailed view of a fence panel fixing piece; the figure 4 is a front view of a portal according to one embodiment of the invention; the figure 5 is a perspective view of the gate mounted on a frame of the portal of the figure 4 ; there figure 6 is a detailed view of an assembly system between a gate frame and the gate; the figure 7 illustrates the assembly system of the figure 6 according to a cross-section; and the figure 8 is a perspective view of a grid according to another type of construction mounted on the frame of a gate.

[0034] There figure 1 represents a fence grid 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. The grid 1 comprises at least one rail 2 and bars 3 mounted in said at least one rail 2. In the illustrated example, the grid 1 comprises two rails 2; an upper rail and a lower rail.

[0035] The bars 3 extend here substantially perpendicularly to the rails 2. As can be seen in the figure, each rail 2 is generally adapted to extend horizontally once the grid 1 is mounted and the bars 3 to extend vertically.

[0036] In the rest of the document, length means the dimension along a direction parallel to the horizontal direction or to the direction of extension of the rail.

[0037] The rails 2, and likewise for the bars 3, being all similar here, the description is made for each element individually, namely for a rail 2 and a bar 3.

[0038] Smooth 2, as seen on the figures 2 and 3 The profile 2 is a hollow profile having faces and a cavity 21 delimited by said faces. The rail 2 has a rectangular cross-section and consequently the cavity 21 is also rectangular.

[0039] The rail 2 includes openings 22 leading to a mounting face 23. Each opening 22 has a cross-section substantially equal to and similar to the cross-section of the bars 3. Each opening 22 thus allows the insertion of a bar 3 into the rail 2. The openings 22 of the rail 2 are in this example non-through, so that the bar 3 does not pass through the rail 2.

[0040] Bar 3 is tubular here.

[0041] A mounting portion 30 of the bar 3 is housed in each rail 2. In particular, a mounting portion 30 of the bar 3 is housed in the cavity 21 of each rail 2.

[0042] Bar 3 comprises two ends 31.

[0043] Each end 31 of the bar 3 is housed here in one of the two rails 2. In other words, the mounting portion 30 of the bar 3 housed in each rail 2 includes the end 31 of the bar 3.

[0044] In another embodiment, the bar 3 can pass through the rail(s) 2, and the bar 3 can be fixed in the rail 2 at a level other than its ends 31.

[0045] Bar 3 includes at least one through hole 32, clearly visible to figures 2 and 3 The through hole 32 here has a substantially circular cross-section. The through hole 32 extends into the mounting portion 30 of the bar housed in the rail 2.

[0046] In this example, the bar 3 includes two through holes 32. One through hole 32 extends into each mounting portion 30 of the bar 32. One through hole 32 thus extends into each rail 2.

[0047] The grid 1 further comprises at least two rods 4 and at least one assembly accessory 5. The grid 1 also comprises at least two fixing pieces 6.

[0048] In the illustrated example, and as can be seen on the figure 1The grid 1 has four rods 4. Each rod 4 passes through a subset of bars via the through holes 32. Two rods 4 pass through the bars 3 in the upper rail and two rods 4 pass through the bars 3 in the lower rail. Each rod 4 is thus housed in one of the two rails 2.

[0049] Since the elements and their assembly are all similar, the description below is initially given for a rod 4 fixed on one side to an assembly accessory 5 and on the other side to a fixing piece 6.

[0050] The rod 4 comprises a first end 41 and a second end 42. The first end 41 of the rod 4 is fixed to the assembly accessory 5. The second end 42 of the rod 4 is fixed to the fixing piece 6.

[0051] The rod 4 is thus configured to hold the bars 3 of the subset of bars which it passes through, immobile in the rail 2.

[0052] The term rod refers to a thin, elongated element that can be inserted into the through holes 32 of the bars 3.

[0053] Rod 4 is preferably a threaded rod along its entire length.

[0054] Of course, rod 4 can only be threaded in part. In particular, rod 4 can only be threaded at one end intended to be screwed in.

[0055] The assembly accessory 5 extends along the length of the rail 2.

[0056] The assembly accessory 5 here comprises two transverse walls 51 and two longitudinal walls 52 extending perpendicularly to the transverse walls 51.

[0057] The assembly accessory 5 advantageously has the same cross-section as the cross-section of the rail 2. Thus, the assembly accessory 5 here has a rectangular cross-section. In other words, the transverse walls 51 have a rectangular shape.

[0058] The walls of the cross members 51 have dimensions slightly smaller than the dimensions of the cavity 21 of the rail 2. Or more generally, the assembly accessory 5 has a rectangular cross section slightly smaller than the cross section of the rail 2. In this way, the rotation of the assembly accessory 5 in the rail 2 is blocked.

[0059] The assembly accessory 5 includes two tapped holes 53 on either side. The tapped holes 53 are formed at the walls configured to receive the rods 4. In the described embodiment, each transverse wall 51 includes a tapped hole 53.

[0060] The assembly accessory 5 is thus configured to allow the fixing of two first respective ends 41 of two rods 4 by screwing into the tapped holes 53 of the transverse walls 51.

[0061] Advantageously, the assembly accessory 5 has a length substantially equal to the length of the space between two bars 3. In this way, the assembly accessory 5 is locked in translation once the grid is mounted, as explained later.

[0062] The assembly accessory 5 thus forms in this example of embodiment a spacer between two bars 3.

[0063] The fixing piece 6, clearly visible at the figure 3 , is positioned against an end bar of grid 1. End bars are understood to be the two bars 3 of grid 1 between which the other bars extend.

[0064] The fixing piece 6 includes a hole 61 configured to receive the rod 4. The second end 42 of the rod 4 is fixed to the fixing piece 6 for example by means of a nut 62.

[0065] The fixing piece 6 can be a rectangular piece, for example a wedge.

[0066] The fixing piece 6 includes an opening 63. The opening 63 of the fixing piece 6 is configured to allow the introduction or injection of insulation foam (not shown) into the rail 2.

[0067] Insulation foam is preferably an expanding foam.

[0068] The insulating foam helps to block the movement of the bars in the rail 2. This prevents the vibration of the bars 3 which can generate a noise nuisance.

[0069] The insulating foam also helps to ensure the airtightness of grid 1.

[0070] Insulation foam is, for example, polyurethane foam.

[0071] Advantageously, the fixing piece 6 extends inside the rail 2. The immobilization of the bars 3 in the rail 2 by means of the rod 4 is thus carried out while keeping the fixing means, here the fixing pieces and the assembly accessory, hidden inside the rail.

[0072] During the assembly of the grid 1, an assembly accessory 5 is pre-placed in each rail 2.

[0073] Each bar 3 of a first subset of bars 3 is inserted by an end 31 into one of the two rails 2. In the illustrated example, each subset of bars comprises ten bars 3.

[0074] Once the bars 3 of the first subset of bars are inserted into one of the two rails 2, a first rod 4 is inserted into the rail 2. The first rod 4 passes through the bars 3 through the through holes 32 and then the tapped hole 53 of the assembly accessory 5.

[0075] The first rod 4 is then screwed at the first end 41 into the tapped hole 53 of the assembly accessory 5.

[0076] Finally, the first rod 4 is fixed at the second end 42 to the fixing piece 6 which comes into contact with an end bar.

[0077] The same assembly steps are repeated for the other subset of bars or second subset of bars in the same rail 2.

[0078] Once the assembly of the bars in the rail 2 is complete, the assembly accessory 5 is fixed on both sides to the two rods 4.

[0079] In the illustrated example, since the length of the assembly accessory 5 is approximately equal to the length of the gap between two bars 3, the assembly accessory 5 is thus wedged between two bars 3. In particular, the assembly accessory 5 is wedged between the tenth and eleventh bars. The assembly accessory 5 is therefore prevented from moving linearly.

[0080] Furthermore, each rod 4 is fixed to a fixing piece 6. The bars 3 are thus held perfectly still.

[0081] Once the rods have been mounted in the rail 2, i.e. that the rod 4 is fixed at its two ends 41, 42, the insulation foam can be injected through the opening 63 of each fixing piece 6. The insulation foam being expansive, it then expands between the bars 3.

[0082] The assembly of the bars 3 and the rods 4 in the second rail 2 is similar and is therefore not described.

[0083] There figure 4 represents a portal 7 comprising two frames 8 on which are mounted two grilles 1 such as the grille described previously. The grilles shown in this figure are shorter than that of the figures 1 to 3 , but have a similar structure to this one.

[0084] Each frame 8 of the gate 7 has two uprights 81 and two beams 82 extending perpendicularly to the uprights 81. In general, when the gate 7 is mounted, the beams 82 are horizontal and the uprights 81 are vertical.

[0085] The gate 7 also includes two posts 9 extending parallel to each other and on either side of the two frames. The posts 9 are parallel to the uprights 81, which are vertical here. Each frame 8 is, for example, mounted to pivot relative to one of the posts 9.

[0086] The structure and assembly of gate 7 are classic and do not need to be described in further detail.

[0087] There figure 5 represents, with certain elements made transparent, the grid 1 mounted to a frame 8 of the gate 7. In particular, the upper rail of the grid is removed.

[0088] Each rail 2 is mounted on one longitudinal face to a beam 82, and on its ends to the two uprights 81 of the frame 8.

[0089] Each grid 1 is mounted here by rotating each rail 2 a quarter turn compared to the mounting of grid 1 in the example illustrated in figures 1 to 3 .

[0090] An assembly system 10 of the rail 2 to the beams 82 of the grid 1 is shown in figures 6 and 7 .

[0091] The assembly system 10 comprises a first assembly element 101 and a second assembly element 102 configured to cooperate together. The first assembly element 101 can be mounted or formed in each purlin 2. The second assembly element 102 is mounted or formed in each beam 82.

[0092] In the illustrated example, each rail 2 includes at least one insert extending beyond the longitudinal face. The insert forms the first assembly element 101. The insert is, for example, a threaded insert.

[0093] Each beam 82 of the gate 7 also includes at least one perforation 83 through and opening onto a mounting face configured to be fixed to the longitudinal face of one of the two rails.

[0094] A shim 84 is positioned against an inner face of the beam 82. In other words, the shim 84 extends inside the beam profile 82. The shim 84 has a substantially rectangular shape and includes a hole. The hole has approximately the same dimensions as the perforation 83. The shim 84 is thus configured to surround the perforation 83 and forms an inner rim around the perforation 83.

[0095] The perforation 83 of each beam 82 is formed so as to be opposite the insert of each rail.

[0096] To fix each beam 82 to one of the rails, a screw 102 is inserted and then screwed into the insert of the rail. The screw here forms the second assembly element 102

[0097] The fastening system further includes a masking element 103. The masking element 103 is configured to mask the fastening or assembly between the beam 82 and the rail 2, and in particular between the first assembly element 101 and the second assembly element 102.

[0098] The assembly element 103 is a plug. The plug is inserted into the perforation 83 of each beam 82. The plug thus prevents access to the screw.

[0099] The wedge 84 forming an internal rim around the perforation 83 allows the plug 103 to be locked in the beam 82.

[0100] Advantageously, the plug is flush, that is to say it is pushed into the perforation 83 and does not protrude from the beam 82. The plug can therefore no longer be removed without being destroyed.

[0101] Several assembly systems can be used to attach each rail to the gate frame. In particular, two fastening systems can be used to attach each rail to each beam, thus ensuring a secure mounting of the gate to the frame.

[0102] The mounting system, as designed, allows for installation without visible fasteners or holes. This improves the aesthetic appearance of the gate and railing.

[0103] The mounting of a grille on a gate using the described fixing system applies to a grille as described in relation to the figures 1 to 3 but also for a grid with a different structure as illustrated on the figure 8 .

[0104] There figure 8represents a fence grid 11 comprising two rails 12 and bars 13 mounted in the two rails 12. Each bar 13 includes two through holes 132. Each through hole 132 extending into a mounting portion 120 of the bar 12 housed in one of the two rails 12.

[0105] The grid 11 has two rods 14. Each rod 14 passes through all the bars 13 through the through holes 133. One rod 14 thus extends into each rail 12. Each rod 14 is fixed at its ends 141 to fixing pieces 15 which come into contact with the end bars.

[0106] It should be noted that the rails 12, the bars 13 and the fixing piece 15 are identical to those described previously with reference to the figures 1 to 3 .

[0107] Grid 11 is mounted to a frame 8. The top rail has been removed from the figure to illustrate the inside of rail 2.

[0108] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and illustrated.

[0109] The assembly accessory can have different shapes and dimensions. For example, the assembly accessory can consist of two transverse walls and one longitudinal wall, thus having a U or C shape.

[0110] The length of the assembly accessory can be less than the length of the space between two bars.

[0111] The present invention thus proposes a fence grid in which the immobilization of the bars in relation to the rail is improved, and whose structure is modular.

Claims

1. Fence gate comprising at least one rail (2) and bars (3) mounted in said at least one rail (2), each bar (3) comprising a through hole (32) extending into a mounting portion (30) of the bar (3) housed in said at least rail (2), said gate (1) being characterized in that it further comprises two rods (4) and an assembly accessory (5), each rod (4) passing through a subset of said bars through the through holes (32) and being attached at a first end (41) of said assembly accessory (5).

2. Fence gate according to claim 1, wherein the assembly accessory (5) extends in the length of said at least one rail (2), the assembly accessory (5) having a length substantially equal to the length of the space between two bars.

3. Fence gate according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein said at least one rail (2) is a hollow profile defining a cavity (21) in which said mounting portion (30) of said bars is housed, said cavity (21) being filled with an insulation foam extending between the bars (3).

4. Fence grille according to one of claims 1 to 3, comprising two end bars between which the other bars (3) extend, each rod (4) being fastened at a second end (42) to a fastening part (6) coming into contact with one of said two end bars.

5. Fence gate according to claim 4, wherein each fastening part (6) comprises an opening (63) configured to allow the introduction of an insulation foam into said at least one rail (2).

6. Fence grille according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein an end (31) of said bars is housed in said at least one rail.

7. Fence gate according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said gate (1) comprises two rails (2), the bars (3) being mounted at each end (31) in the two rails (2).

8. Fence gate according to claim 7, comprising four rods (4) and two assembly accessories (5), each bar (3) comprising two through holes (32) each extending into a mounting portion (30) housed in one of said two rails (2), each rod (4) passing through a set of bars through the through holes (32) and being attached at a first end (41) to one of said two assembly accessories (5).

9. Fence gate according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein each rod (4) is a rod threaded over the entire length, the rod (4) being attached by screwing into a tapped hole (53) of said assembly accessory (5).

10. Gateway comprising a frame on which a fence gate (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9 is mounted.

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