Supporting fences

Abstract

Fence-support apparatus, comprising a ground-locatable box 201 comprising a rear plate 203 and a covered end 207 that includes an orifice 208 for receiving a ground penetrating screw (911 figs 9, 10),

Description

The present invention relates to a fence support apparatus for receiving respective tubular legs of adjacent fence panels. The present invention also relates to a method of supporting a fence, in which the fence is constructed from adjacent fence panels that have tubular legs. It is known to provide fence supports for fence panels that have tubular legs. Often, fences of this type are constructed as a temporary measure during a sporting event or while construction is taking place. When erected on uncovered ground, it is possible for additional support to be facilitated by the provision of ground-penetrating screws. However, problems may arise if full penetration of these screws is not possible and screws of various sizes are not available. The present invention is therefore directed towards the problem of providing a degree of flexibility when adopting securing measures of this type. According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fence-support apparatus for receiving respective tubular legs of adjacent fence panels, as set out in claiml. In an embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a slidable securing member slidable within a first slot in said first plate and a second slot within said second plate of the channel section, wherein said securing member includes a first attachment hole in a first end for attachment to a fence fastener above the fence support apparatus, in said first configuration; and a second attachment hole in a second end for attachment to said fence fastener, in a second configuration. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of supporting a fence, as set out in claim 11. Embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The detailed embodiments show the best mode known to the inventor and provide support for the invention as claimed. However, they are only exemplary and should not be used to interpret or limit the scope of the claims. Their purpose is to provide a teaching to those skilled in the art. Components and processes distinguished by ordinal phrases such as “first” and “second” do not necessarily define an order or ranking of any sort. In the drawings: Figure 1 shows a first fence panel and a second fence panel has used to create a complete fence; Figure 2 shows an apparatus for supporting a fence of the type shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows the support apparatus of Figure 2 in an alternative configuration; Figure 4 illustrates a method of fabricating the apparatus shown in Figure 2; Figure 5 continues to illustrate the fabrication of the apparatus shown in Figure 2; Figure 6 shows the deployment of the apparatus shown in Figure 2; Figure 7 shows an alternative embodiment with an additional securing member; Figure 8 shows the deployment of the apparatus shown in Figure 7; Figure 9 shows the further deployment of the apparatus; Figure 10 illustrates deployment of the apparatus; Figure 11 shows an enhanced embodiment with an additional support arm; Figure 12 shows deployment of the arm identified in Figure 11; Figure 13 shows further deployment of the arm shown in Figure 11; Figure 14 shows further deployment of the arm identified in Figure 11; Figure 15 shows the deployment of the apparatus in an alternative configuration; and Figure 16 shows the completion of the deployment of the apparatus in the alternative configuration. Figure 1 A first fence panel 101 and a second fence panel 102 are shown in Figure 1. The panels 101, 102 have been arranged so as to be adjacent and as such can be fastened together in order to create a complete fence. In this embodiment, the fence panels comprise an outer tubular frame 103 surrounding a metal mesh 104. Thus, in this embodiment, a first tubular leg 105 extends from a substantially vertical part 106 of the outer tubular frame 103. Similarly, a second tubular leg 107 extends from a similar vertical part of the second fence panel 102. Figure 2 An apparatus for supporting a fence of the type described with reference to Figure 1, is shown in Figure 2. The apparatus is arranged to receive respective tubular legs 105,107. The apparatus includes a ground locatable box 201 having a front plate 202 (obscured in Figure 2), a rear plate 203, a first side plate 204 and a second side plate 205 (obscured in Figure 2). The box 201 also includes an open end 206 (obscured in Figure 2) and a covered end 207. The covered end 207 includes an orifice 208 for receiving a ground-penetrating screw, as described with reference to Figures 9 and 10 and with reference to Figures 15 and 16. A channel section 211 extends from the front plate 203 to present a forward face 212. The channel section 211 includes a first substantially horizontally plate 213 with a first hole 214 for receiving a tubular leg (such as leg 107) and a second hole 215 for receiving a second tubular leg (105). The channel section also includes a second substantially horizontal plate 222 with a third hole 223, adjacent the first hole 214 and a fourth hole 224 (obscured in Figure 2) adjacent the second hole 215. In Figure 2, the fence support apparatus is shown in a first configuration, in which the open end 206 is located ground side. When deployed, a first leg 105 enters the first hole 214 and then the third hole 223, a second leg enters the second hole 215 and the fourth hole 224 and the penetration of a groundpenetrating screw is limited by the height of the covered end 207. In an embodiment, the channel section 212 is a metal channel section having a first edge 231 and a second edge 232. In this embodiment, the first edge 231 and the second edge 232 are welded to the front plate 203 of the metal box. Figure 3 The fence support apparatus of Figure 2 is shown in Figure 3 in its second configuration. In this second configuration, the covered end 207 is located ground side, with the open end 206 uppermost. In this configuration, the first leg 105 enters the fourth hole 224 and the second hole 215, with the second leg 107 entering the third hole 223 and the first hole 214. In this configuration, the penetration of the ground-penetrating screw is not limited, as described with reference to Figures 15 and 16. Figure 4 In an embodiment, the front plate 202, the rear plate 203 and the side plates 204, 205 of the metal box are formed from a continuous metal plate 401 having a first end 411 and a second end 412. Figure 5 The metal plate 401 is bent to define corners, including a first corner 501. After further bending, to define the remaining corners, the first end 411 and a second end 412 are welded together. In an embodiment, the covered end 204 is formed by welding a cover plate at a first end to the front plate 202, side plates 204, 205 and the rear plate 203 of the metal box. Figure 6 The apparatus described with reference to Figures 2 to 5 facilitates the provision of a method of supporting a fence, as illustrated in Figure 6. As described with reference to Figure 1, the fence is constructed from adjacent fence panels that have tubular legs 105 and 107. The box 205 is located beside the first tubular leg of the first fence panel 101 and against the second tubular leg 107 of the adjacent second fence panel 102. This location may take place in either a first configuration (as shown in Figure 6) providing limited penetration of a ground-penetrating screw, or in a second configuration (as shown in Figure 3) providing non-limited penetration of the ground-penetrating screw by means of the covered end 207 that includes the orifice 208. In the configuration shown in Figure 6, the first tubular leg 105 is inserted through the first hole 214 in the first substantially horizontal plate 213 of a channel section 211, that extends from the front plate 202 of the box 201; with this substantially horizontal plate including a second hole 215. The first tubular leg is also inserted through a further hole 223 in the second substantially horizontal plate 222 of the channel section 211, in which the second substantially horizontal plate includes a further hole 224. Thereafter, the second tubular leg 107 is inserted through the second hole 215 and the fourth hole 224. Thereafter, the ground is penetrated with a ground-penetrating screw deployed through the orifice 208. In an embodiment, the rear face includes an arm locking slot 601 for engagement with a first arm member, as described with reference to Figure 11 and Figure 12. Figure 7 In an embodiment, the fence support apparatus has a slidable securing member 701 slidable through a first slot 711 in the first plate 213 and through a second slot 712 within the second plate 222 of the channel section 211. In this embodiment, the securing member 701 includes a first attachment hole 721 in a first end for attachment to a fence fastener, wherein the fence fastener is located above the fence support apparatus. This represents deployment in the first configuration. For deployment in the second configuration, a second attachment hole is provided at the opposite end of the slidable securing member 701, for attachment to the fence fastener. Figure 8 Deployment of the embodiment described with reference to Figure 7 is shown in Figure 8. The apparatus has been deployed in the first configuration, with the open end located ground side. The first tubular leg 105 has been fastened to the second tubular leg 107 by means of a conventional fence fastener 801. The fence fastener 801 consists of a first clamp 811 and a second clamp 812 and these clamps 811, 812 are forced together by means of a bolt 813. In the embodiment shown in Figure 8, the bolt 813 has been deployed through the first attachment hole 721 in the first end of the slidable securing member 701; before application of a tightening nut 814. As is known in the art, further fence fasteners, similar to fence fastener 801, may be secured to the adjacent vertical parts of outer tubular frames of fence panels. Figure 9 The first fence fastener 801 is shown in Figure 9, along with a second fence fastener 902 connecting the fence panels 101,102 at a higher position. The apparatus is secured in place by the deployment of a first groundpenetrating screw 911. Various sizes of ground-penetrating screws are available, typically ranging from 200 mm to 800 mm. In the embodiment of Figure 9, the ground-penetrating screw as a length of five-hundred milli-metres (500 mm). Figure 10 Full deployment of the ground-penetrating screw 911 is shown in Figure 10. In Figure 10, the fence support apparatus has been deployed in its first configuration, such that penetration of the first ground-penetrating screw 911 is limited by the height 1001 of the covered end 207. Figure 11 An enhanced embodiment is illustrated in Figure 11, in which an arm 1101 is added to the fence support apparatus to provide additional support. The arm 1101 makes use of the arm locating slot 601, described with reference to Figure 6, and comprises a first arm member 1111 and a second arm member 1112. The first arm member 1111 has a first end 1121 and a second end 1122. A lug 1223 extends from the first arm end 1121, for engagement within the arm locating slot 601. Figure 12 Engagement of the lug 1123 within the arm locating slot 601 is shown in Figure 12. In this embodiment, a ground-contacting plate 1201 is attached to the second end 1122 of the first arm member 1111. The ground-contacting plate 1201 includes an orifice 1202 for receiving a second ground-penetrating screw, as described with reference to Figure 14. Thus, during deployment of the enhanced embodiment, the first arm member 1111 is engaged within the arm locating slot 601 provided in the rear plate of the box. The first arm member is then rotated to a substantially horizontal position after engaging the lug 1123 within the arm locating slot 601. This places the ground contacting plate 1201 in an appropriate orientation for receiving the second ground-penetrating screw. Figure 13 In the enhanced embodiment, a first end 1301 of the second arm member 1112 extends from the second end 1122 of the first arm member 1111. A securing plate 1302 extends from a second end 1312 of the second arm member 1112. The securing plate 1302 includes a hole 1313 for securing the securing plate 1302 to the second fence fastener 902. Figure 14 After deployment of the arm 1101, as described reference to Figure 13, a second ground-penetrating screw 1402 is deployed through the orifice 1202 of the ground-contacting plate 1201. Figure 15 As an alternative to deploying the apparatus in the first configuration, in which penetration of the ground-penetrating screw is limited, as described with reference to Figure 9 and Figure 10, the apparatus may be deployed in the second configuration providing non-limited penetration of the groundpenetrating screw. As shown in Figure 15, the box 205 is shown rotated, such that that the covered end is now located ground side with the open end 206 being visible. The covered end 207 is now substantially in contact with the ground and the first ground-penetrating screw 911 penetrates the ground via orifice 208. Figure 16 Full deployment of the first ground-penetrating screw 911, in the second configuration of the apparatus, is shown in Figure 16. In this configuration, a greater degree of penetration is been achieved, which may be considered 5 more desirable in some deployments.

Claims

1. A fence-support apparatus for receiving respective tubular legs of adjacent fence panels, comprising:a ground-locatable box having a front plate, a rear plate, side plates, an open end and a covered end, in which said covered end includes an orifice for receiving a ground-penetrating screw; anda channel section extending from said rear plate, having a forward face; wherein:said channel section includes a first substantially horizontal plate with a first hole for receiving a tubular leg and a second hole for receiving a tubular leg; andsaid channel section also includes a second substantially horizontal plate with a third hole adjacent said first hole and a fourth hole adjacent said second hole; such that:the fence-support apparatus is deployable in a first configuration, in which said open end is located ground side, a first leg enters the first hole and the third hole, a second leg enters the second hole and the fourth hole, and the penetration of the ground-penetrating screw is limited by the height of the covered end; andsaid fence-support apparatus is deployable in a second configuration, in which said covered end is located ground side; said first leg enters said fourth hole and said second hole, said second leg enters said third hole and said first hole, and the penetration of the ground-penetrating screw is not limited.

2. The fence-support apparatus of claim 1, wherein:said front plate, said rear plate and said side plates of the ground-locatable box are formed from a continuous metal plate having a first end and a second end;said metal plate is bent to define corners of the metal box; andsaid first end and said second end are welded together.

3. The fence-support apparatus of claim 2, wherein said covered end is formed by welding a cover plate at a first end to the front plate, side plates and rear plate of the metal box.

4. The fence-support apparatus of claim 2 or claim 3, wherein:said channel section is a metal channel section having a first edge and a second edge; andsaid first edge and said second edge are welded to the rear plate of the metal box.

5. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a slidable securing member slidable within a first slot in said first plate and a second slot within said second plate of the channel section, wherein said securing member includes:a first attachment hole in a first end for attachment to a fence fastener above the fence-support apparatus, in said first configuration; anda second attachment hole in a second end for attachment to said fence fastener, in said second configuration.

6. The fence-support apparatus of any of claims 1 to 5, wherein said rear plate includes an arm-locating slot for engaging with a first arm member.

7. The fence-support apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a first arm member, wherein:said first arm member has a first arm end and a second arm end;a lug extends from said first arm end; andsaid lug is engageable within said arm-locating slot.

8. The fence support apparatus of claim 7, wherein:a ground-contacting plate is attached to said second end of the first armmember; andsaid ground-contacting plate includes an orifice for receiving a second ground-penetrating screw.

9. The fence support apparatus of claim 7 or claim 8, wherein:a first end of a second arm member extends from the second end of the first arm member;a securing plate extends from a second end of the second arm member; andsaid securing plate includes a securing hole for securing the securing plate to a second fence fastener.

10. A fence assembly, comprising a first fence panel; a second fence panel; and a fence-support apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein:said first fence panel and said second fence panel each comprise a respective outer tubular frame surrounding a metal mesh; andsaid tubular legs extend from respective substantially vertical parts of said outer tubular frame.

11. A method of supporting a fence, in which said fence is constructed from a plurality of adjacent fence panels that have tubular legs, by means of a fence-support apparatus according to claims 1, comprising the steps of:locating said ground-locatable box beside a first tubular leg of a first fence panel and a second tubular leg of an adjacent second fence panel, in either a first configuration providing limited penetration of a ground-penetrating screw, or in a second configuration providing non-limited penetration of said ground-penetrating screw, by means of said covered end that includes an orifice;inserting said first tubular leg through said first hole in said first substantially horizontal plate of said channel section;further inserting said first tubular leg through said third hole in said second substantially horizontal plate of said channel section; andinserting said second tubular leg through said second hole and said fourth hole.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of penetrating the ground with a ground-penetrating screw deployed through said orifice.

13. The method of claim 11 or claim 12, further comprising the steps of:bending a continuous metal plate having a first end and a second end to define corners of the box; andwelding the first end and the second end together.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of welding a cover with said orifice to the folded sides of the box to create the covered end.

15. The method of claim 13 or claim 14, further comprising the step of welding a first edge and a second edge of a metal channel section to define the channel section.

16. The method of any of claims 11 to 15, further comprising the steps of:sliding a slidable securing memberthrough slots in the channel section; andattaching the slidable securing member to a fence fastener positioned above the box.

17. The method of any of claims 11 to 16, further comprising the step of engaging a first arm member within an arm-locating slot within the rear plateof the box.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of rotating the first arm member to a substantially horizontal position after said engaging step.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the steps of:attaching a ground-contacting plate to a second end of the first arm member, wherein said ground-contacting plate includes a second orifice; anddeploying a second ground-penetrating screw through said second orifice.

20. The method of claim 18 or claim 19, further comprising the step of securing a securing plate to a second fence fastener by means of a hole in the securing plate, wherein:a first end of a second arm member extends from the second end of the first arm member; andthe securing extends from a second end of the second arm member.

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