Rapid deployment fence post assembly

Abstract

The present invention provides a fence post assembly 10”, such as for use in rapid deployment fencing, comprising a base plate assembly 12”, a fixing clamp 130” and a fixing bracket 120” wherein the f

Description

The present invention relates to a rapid deployment fence post assembly providing for rapid and convenient adjustment of the fence post to the vertical. Background Rapid deployment fencing is becoming increasingly used for the purposes of securing construction sites, hazards, temporary entertainment venues and host of other sites where it is necessary to rapidly deploy a fence to secure area. Unlike permanent fencing where a fence post is typically embedded in the ground, or fasten to the ground by means of a plate and relevant fixings, such as bolts, rapid deployment fencing is simply placed upon the ground without the intention of piercing the ground. This is important as deployment is often made were piercing the ground, such as by digging a hole or fixing bolts would cause damage, such as to a concrete base or tarmac which is intended to be later available without damage. Therefore, the normal techniques of aligning a fence post vertically, and at the correct height are not available. Bases to which fence posts are attached to produce rapid deployment fences by attaching fence panels between posts are well known. Such bases are typically found in two variations the first variation in which volume of the base is made available into which a ballast may be filled, and a second variation in which some form of lateral member is present upon which weights may be placed. Each have their own advantages and disadvantages and a preferred form relevant to the present invention is a base which can be transported in an un-ballasted form and to which a fence post and ballast, using either method, may be readily applied. A problem has arisen that rapid, secure and effective adjustment offence posts relative to the base assembly is not readily available. In particular since such fences are used in situations where temporary barriers are not appropriate these fences are typically relatively tall and therefore attract a significant wind load. It is therefore necessary to provide secure and effective adjustment means which are capable of withstanding relatively high forces, typically in the order of 980 newtons or so at the base of a post on a windy day. Bases for use with rapid deployment fencing are disclosed in GB2555756B and GB2547287B. GB2547287B requires the base of a post to be engaged in a locating feature in a base member. This limits the types of posts that may be used and also limits the vertical height at which a post can be placed as it must be placed flush with the base so as to properly engage. GB2555756B does not necessarily require engagement with the base but in doing so only provides support and restraint for a fence post around 1 m from the base of the post and as such is not capable of withstanding high wind loads not least as the means of engagement is intended to be movable in at least 2 axes and the forces available for securing such a post with such means are not suitable for withstanding typically high loads. The present invention is therefore directed to the provision of such an improved rapid deployment fence post assembly. The present invention The present invention in its various aspects is as set out in the appended claims. The present invention provides a fence post assembly, such as for use in rapid deployment fencing, comprising a base plate assembly, a fixing clamp and a fixing bracket wherein the fixing bracket is configured to attach to the fence post proximate to its base and to a lateral securing bar by slotting over that bar by means of one or more apertures. Drawings The present invention is illustrated by means of the following drawings in which like features are designated with like numerals. The figures provide Figure 1 - shows a fence post assembly comprising base plate assembly, fence post and fixing clamp and bracket; Figure 2 - shows the fence post assembly as shown in figure 1 in which an alternative fixing clamp is shown, together with a foldable base plate assembly; Figure 3 - shows the foldable base plate assembly of figure 2 in a deployed configuration; Figure 4 - shows the foldable base plate or figure 3 in a collapsed configuration; Figure 5 - shows the assembly of figure 2 upon which ballast weights have been applied to provide stability; Figure 6 - shows a preferred form of bracket of the present invention; Figure 7 - shows a more preferred form of bracket of the present invention. The features of the drawings are listed as follows: 10, 10’ - Fence post assembly 12, 12’ - Base plate 20 - Fence post 40 - Rotatable junction 42 - Rotatable fastener 44 - Pivot fastener (penetrating positioning) 46 - Pivot fastener (squeezing positioning) 80 - Base plate assembly 82 - Base of Post resting on base plate; 90 - Securing arm 92 - Securing bar 100 - Weight arm 102 - Weight arm bar 120 - Bracket 122 - Muti Position Bracket 124 - Angled aperture muti position bracket 130 - Clamp 132 - Front part of clamp 134 - Rear part of clamp 134 - Fastener 140 - Axis of rotation 150 - Planes offence post base movement 160-Weights 200 - Fence Post 220 - Aperture for engaging securing bar 230 - First side if bracket 232 - Second side of bracket 234 - Apertures for receiving fastener 240 - Trapezoidal apertures for receiving fastener 238 - Bracket end face Detailed description referring now to figure 1 this provides the fence post assembly of the present invention 10 comprising a base plate assembly 80, to which a fence post 20 is attached by means of a clamp 130 and a bracket 120. The base plate assembly 80 comprises a base plate 12 for placing upon the ground upon which the fence will be constructed and an has deployed upright securing arm 90 perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the base 12.. Securing arm 90 comprises an upper end to which clamp 130 is attached and towards its lower end a lateral securing bar 92 upon which bracket 120 is configured to be latched. Clamp 130 is configured to surround post 20 and to abut the post, laterally. Clamp 130 is secured to the securing arm 90 by means of a rotatable fastener 42 (not shown in this drawing but can be seen in figure 3)., Such as to allow the clamp to rotate about a horizontal axis to allow the post 20 to be tilted relative to the base plate assembly 80. Clamp 130 is secured to the post 20 by means of Pivot fastener 44 about which they post they also rotate along a further horizontal axis, perpendicular to the first horizontal axis, to allow the post to tilt front and back. In this means the post can be readily adjusted relative to the vertical. In a variation of the invention the Pivot fastener is placed on the bracket between the post and the arm (such positioning is shown for pivot fastener 46) such that it serves to contract the fastener about the post but does not penetrate the post. In this manner the clamp enables the post, at its upper end to rotate into perpendicular horizontal axes and also to be moved vertically. Proximate the base 82 of the post 20 is the clamp 120. Clamp 120 latches by means of apertures 220, 234 (see later figures 6, 7) onto a lateral securing bar 92 of the securing arm. The securing bar being above base plate 12 of the base plate assembly 80. Preferably a plurality of vertically spaced securing bars 92 may be provided, each bar being separated by a height not less than the height of the bracket 120. By this means the bracket resting upon any individual bar may have the post 20 slid through it, the bracket surrounding the post on 3 sides and preferably abutting the post on those 3 sides. Such sliding action enables the post to be adjusted in vertical height, this is particularly important as an individual fence with the intervening fence panels between fence posts panel may not necessarily be erected on a level base and movement of the post up or down in the order of 10 cm is often necessary. After such movement pivot fastener 46 may be secured to squeeze the bracket around the post toes so as to secure the post. Alternatively pivot fastener in the manner of pivot fastener 44 (shown in figure 2) may be provided which penetrates the post in which case the vertical movement is available by means of the bracket aperture being more or less engaged with the arm or being engaged with another, vertically apart arm (as mentioned above but not shown on the diagram). In a further variation the post may be provided with a slot to enable the pivot fastener of type 44 to slide up and down although this is not a preferred configuration. In this manner the base of the post may be adjusted in perpendicular horizontal axes as shown schematically by symbol 150, the post may be tilted left or right along axis of rotation 140 may be moved up or down as previously mentioned. As will be appreciated from the figures all the securing members are simple and robust and optionally provide a degree of duplication so as to provide extra security. Whilst not immediately apparent from the form of the drawing in figure 1 figure 2 bracket 120 is laterally narrower than bar 102 such that the bracket may move laterally. This is the one axis of the fence post assembly which does allow some movement after assembly. However, since the assemblies for the purposes of a fence post upon which fence panels are attached such panels completely restrict rotational movement in the lateral plane of the post and therefore securing is not necessary and is even preferable that some movement is possible such that the post can move to accommodate the fence panels, at least to a limited degree. Also disclosed in the present document are forms of the base plate. These are not the primary focus of the present invention as such however there disclosed in prior applications GB2403387.0, GB2319241.2 which are referenced and incorporated herein in their entirety and which may be referred to provide details of the base plate its features and functions should it be required. The base plate, in a collapsible form shown in a deployed form in figure 3 and a collapse form in figure 4 Figure 2 provides the features shown in figure 1 on that description is incorporated mutatis mutandis for this further figure. The figure differs in that the base plate is collapsible. Figure 5 shows the base plate upon which a ballast in the form of a plurality of weights 160 has been placed so as to secure the base plate 12 firmly on the ground, such as would typically occur in use. Figures 6 and 7 show preferred forms of the bracket of the present invention. The bracket comprises an elongate steel strip with perpendicular bends so as to provide a first side of the bracket 230, a 2nd side of the bracket 232, such as may be dimensioned so as to abut the lateral faces of a fence post 20 together with an adjoining bracket and phase 238 also preferably configured to abut a further face of the fence post 20. The brackets have an aperture 234 for receiving a fastener to be used in configuration 44 or 46 as previously described when deploying the fence post assembly. In use the bracket 120, or as shown in figure 6, 122, or as shown in figure ,7 124 is attached by placing it around the post, applying a relevant fastener 46 (configured as either type 44 or 46 attachment squeeze or pierce). This is placed so as to enable the post 20 to be secured to the securing arm 90 by means of securing bar 92 where the apertures for receiving the fastener 236, 240 latch over the bar. This provides a convenient means to secure the base of the post and the post is lifted manually in place, which is the typical manner for deployment and provides improved security and safety when doing so. The lower portion of the post 20 is therefore retained in place whilst the upper clamp 130 is secured. Clamp 130 may be provided in the two-part form with a front portion 132 and a rear portion 134 joined by means of a fastener, this provides additional potential for adjustment of the post front back although particularly when brackets 6, 7 with multiple apertures 236, 240 are provided this is generally not necessary. This enables the clamp to have fewer axes of adjustment and makes it stronger and more secure. The preferred form of the bracket is shown in figure 7, 124, in which the apertures 240 of which there may be one, 2, 3, or up to 4 (as also with 122) are configured in trapezoidal form in which the side of the trapezium proximate to the base is angled relative to the vertical face of the bracket and phase 238. This enables a post to be loaded, so to speak, onto the securing bar 92 of the securing arm 90 at an exaggerated angle to the vertical and thereby provides safer and more efficient assembly while still giving adequate securing since the upper portion of the aperture 240 is still narrow enough to locate on either side of the securing bar 92, such as to provide limited further fore- aft movement. The present invention also provides a kit of parts for one or more of the elements shown in the figures, in particular regarding figures 1,2 or 5. The following disclosure regarding the base plate is provided for completeness, this description should be read in conjunction with figures 3 and 4. The present invention provides a universal base plate that can be used for a variety of purposes, wherein the base includes apertures configured to receive protrusions from a member to be coupled to the base plate, wherein the aperture is configured to allow the member to rotate allow the member to be folded to make the base more compact during transport. Further, the aperture comprises a means to lock the member into a desired position. This base plate is preferably formed from a single piece of machined sheet material, such as a sheet metal like sheet steel. Wherein the edges of the base and the apertures are cut into the sheet material, then the base can be formed by using simple machining means, such as a press, to fold the cut material into the desired shape for the base. Figure 1 depicts an example net 10 that can be cut into the used sheet material to form the claimed base plate. In the depicted example the net 10 cuts out the outer edges of the base plate 12, note that in this example the edge of the base plate 12 includes a handle that is formed as part of the plate by being cut out of the same sheet material. Though the example includes only one handle 14, the base plate 12 may include multiple handles, and it is noted that the handle 14 may have a different shape or size to the one shown so long as the handle is a suitable size for the user to carry the base plate via the handle and that the handle can be cut out of the sheet material as the base plate is cut from the same material. By forming the handle this way, the user reduces the number of components needed to form the desired base plate. Additionally, this method removes the need to weld or fasten the handle into place. It is noted that by removing the need to weld the amount of pollution generated when manufacturing the base is reduced, further it is noted that any fasteners may create a weak point where the base may break, therefore by removing the need for fasteners by making the handle 14 part of the base plate 12. Further, the net 10 comprises a plurality of apertures cut into the base plate 12. In the comers of the plate 12 there is a plurality of fastener apertures 16. These apertures are configured to allow a suitable fastener, such as a bolt, to be passed through the base plate 12. These fasteners may be used to secure the plate 12 to the surface below the plate or may be used to secure one or more weights to the top surface of the base plate, such that the weight may secure the base plate in position when in use. The plate 12 further comprises an aperture 18 near the front end of the plate 12. This aperture is configured to receive a guiding feature. These guiding features are configured to guide and support an object to be coupled to one of the members that are coupled to the base plate 12. For example, the guiding feature may be used as a backstop for a fence post or panel to be coupled to the member attached to the base plate 12. In some cases, the guiding feature may act as a guide that is used to position the object being coupled to the member into the desired position, wherein the user can rest the object on the guiding feature to hold it in place as the user secures the object to the member. However, it should be understood that differently shaped guiding features may be needed for different objects and members, as such it is preferable for the plate 12 to comprise an aperture 18 that receives the required guiding feature thereby allowing the user to change the guiding feature as required, by inserting the necessary guiding feature into the aperture 18, and then swapping out the guiding feature when necessary. This allows a single base plate 12 to be used in a wider range of applications as the guiding feature can be adapted on-site to meet the user’s requirements. Lastly in the centre of the net 10, there is a set of cuts configured to define a pair of raised walls 20, these walls will be configured to rise out of the plane of the base plate, in use the members coupled to be base plate 12 will be positioned between these walls and will be coupled to the base plate 12 via the walls 20 as described in more details below. More specifically, the walls can be defined in the net by cutting an l-shaped cut, wherein a long cut down the centre of the base plate 12 will define the length of the raised walls 20, and the horizontal cuts and the end of the central cut define the height of the walls when unfolded. It is noted that the cuts used to define the walls 20 can be widened to reduce the size of the walls 20 while maintaining the space between the walls 20 to accommodate the coupled member. It is also noted that the ends of each raised wall comprise a receiving aperture that is configured to receive protrusions attached to the members being coupled to the base plate 12. Once this net is cut into a piece of sheet metal, the base foot can be formed through sampling machining. More specifically, when the net 10 has been cut out of a piece of material, the user can simply use a press to fold out the raised walls 20. Once the walls 20 have been folded out the base plate is ready to be deployed. As such the plate 12 can be formed quickly allowing them to be mass-produced more easily. Additionally, this method of manufacturing the base plate 12 removes the need for multiple components to be fastened or welded together. This helps to reduce the complexity in building each of the base plates 12 and may reduce the amount of material needed to form each base allowing the base to be mass-produced with less raw material and at a cheaper cost. Additionally, as the base does not need to be welded this method will reduce the amount of pollution produced per base plate, it is also noted that as the base plate is formed from a net 10, the user can easily adapt the design of the base plate by changing the cuts and edges of the net 10, to produce base plates 12 with a different shape or size based on the user’s specific requirements. Figure 2 depicts an example of the base plate 12 formed from the net in Figure 1. In this image, it can be seen how the walls 20 are folded out of the base plate 12 such that the walls 20 raise perpendicularly from the plane of the base plate 12. It can also be seen in this image how there is a gap or channel between the walls 20, this channel allows the members coupled to the base plate 12 to be folded down such that the member lay parallel to the base plate housed within the gap. It is also noted that, in the depicted example, the members receiving apertures 22 are located at different heights. By having the apertures 22 at different heights the user can adjust the height of the members attached to the base plate 12. More specifically, the different aperture heights mean that when the members are folded down they will rest at different heights allowing the members to rest one atop of the other within the gap between the walls. This design will allow the base plate to be more compact when the attached members are folded down. It is also noted that in some cases, the length of the walls 20 may be sufficient to allow the folded members to lay adjacent, end-to-end, within the gap between the walls 20 without the need to have the coupling apertures 22 at different heights. The depicted example also shows an exemplary guiding feature 30. In the depicted example the coupling feature is in the form of a hollow cuboid coupled to the guiding feature aperture 18. In use, the item coupled to the base can be sandwiched between the guiding feature 30 and the member attached to the base 12 to help secure the item in place. It is noted that the guiding feature 30 may have different shapes from the one depicted depending on the shape of the object and members coupled to the base. It is also noted that the guiding feature may be formed from the same sheet material as the rest of the base plate 12. More specifically, instead of an aperture 18 the base plate net 10 may have the edges of the guiding feature 30 cut into the sheet material, such that the guiding feature can be folded out of the base plate 12 in the same manner as the raised walls 20. By forming the guiding feature as part of the base plate 12, the user can reduce the number of parts needed to produce the base plate 12, at the cost of not being able to change out the guiding feature 30 which may limit the versatility of the base plate 12. Figures 3 to 5 depict the preferred example of the member receiving aperture 22 within the raised walls 20 of the base plate 12. In this embodiment, the aperture comprises a central aperture, referred to as the rotational aperture 40, this aperture 40 is sufficiently wide to allow the received protrusion 50 attached to the member coupled to the base plate to rotate within the aperture 40. By allowing the protrusion 50 to rotate the user will be able to adjust the relative angle between the member and the base plate 12. In particular, the protrusion 50 would preferably be able to rotate between at least two positions, a vertical position wherein the member is perpendicular to the plane of the base plate 12, and a horizontal position wherein the member is parallel to the base plate 12 with the member housed within the gap between the walls 20. This rotation is illustrated by the arrow in Figure 3. The rotational aperture 40 may include one or more guiding features within the aperture. These guiding features are configured to slow or limit the rotation of the member within the rotational member 40. These features may limit the member’s movement, such that the member can only rotate through certain angles. In the depicted example the guiding feature is in the form of guiding walls 42 that extend from the edges of the rotational aperture 40. These walls are configured to block the rotating member and prevent it from rotating past the wall 42. In the depicted example the walls 42 are configured to block two quadrants of the rotational aperture 40. These walls are configured to block the rotation of the member within the aperture 40. In this case, the shape of the walls 42 allows the member to rotate through 90 degrees from a vertical position to a horizontal position and no further. With these walls 42, the user can stop the rotation of the coupled member at a desired point. This may be used to align the member with a locking mechanism configured to grip the member holding it firmly in its current position such that it can no longer rotate. It is noted that depending on the application of the base plate 12 the guiding walls 42 may have a different shape allowing the member to rotate through a larger or smaller range of angles. In other cases, the rotational aperture 40 may include protrusions, such as bumps, slopes or grooves along the edge of the aperture 40, wherein these protrusions are configured to slow the rotation of the member within the aperture 40 while still allowing the member to rotate past the protrusion with some additional force. These edge protrusions can be used to slow the rotating member at certain points along its rotation. Both of these features make it easier for a user to align the rotating member with the locking mechanism designed to hold the rotating member firmly in a specific orientation. It is noted that the claimed base will include a locking mechanism design to lock the member in at least the vertical position such that items can be coupled to the member, in some cases, the base 12 may include a locking mechanism that can also lock the member in the horizontal position such that the members do not rotate when the base 12 is being stored or transported. The depicted example shows the preferred embodiment of the locking mechanism. In this embodiment, the locking mechanism is formed using slots 44 that extend from the edges of the rotational slot 44. Wherein each slot is sufficiently long and wide to receive the protrusions 50 on the member from the rotational aperture 40, such that once the protrusion 50 is inserted into the slot 44, the member is no longer able to rotate. With this mechanism, the user can lock the member coupled to the base plate 12 into a desired position by inserting the member into a corresponding slot of the locking mechanism. In the depicted example there is only one slot 44, configured to lock the member in the horizontal position, however, it should be understood that there can be multiple slots at different locations along the edge of the rotational aperture, with each slot corresponding to a respective position for the member coupled to the base plate 12. In the preferred embodiment, there would be a slot 44 for both the horizontal position and the vertical positions, with the guiding walls 42 helping to block the rotating member into one of these positions to make it easier for the user to align the protrusion 50 with the desired slot. Regardless of the number of slots the method of using the locking mechanism remains the same. Namely, once the protrusion 50 within the rotational aperture 40 has been aligned with the desired slot, the user can insert the protrusion 50 into the desired slot 44 by moving the member laterally, as indicated by arrow 72 in Figure 4. Wherein the member is moved in a direction that inserts the protrusions 50 of the member into the slot 44. Once inserted the member will no longer be able to rotate thereby locking the member into the desired position. In some cases, the edges of the rotational aperture may also include protrusions designed to slow the member during its rotation at points where it aligns with intermediate slots, thereby allowing the member to rotate past these slots 44 when necessary. Another possible locking mechanism would comprise a series of apertures positioned around the rotational aperture 40, wherein the member would comprise a corresponding aperture. In this mechanism, the user will rotate the member until the aperture of the member aligns with the aperture corresponding with the desired position for the member. Once aligned the user may insert a fastener or small member through the aligned apertures to lock the rotating member in place. It is noted that both of these locking mechanisms can simply be cut into the base plate 12 as it is formed. However, of these mechanisms, the example that uses the slot 44 is preferred as the mechanism removes the need for external parts thereby making the construction of the base plate simpler, and removing the potential weak points created by the external fastener or member. Another feature shown in the depicted example is the receiving channel 60. This channel 60 extends from the edge of the rotational aperture 40 to the edge of the raised wall 20. This channel allows the protrusion 50 of the member to be inserted into the rotational aperture by passing the protrusion 50 through the channel 60. Additionally, the user can decouple the member from the base plate 12 by passing the protrusion 50 through the channel 60 to remove it from the base plate 12. This will allow the user to easily couple and decouple a member from the base plate 12. In some cases, the channel 60 may be configured to be collapsable. This is to say that part of the channel may be collapsed or otherwise closed to seal the channel 50. In such cases, the channel would be configured to be sealed by applying mechanical force onto the channel. An example of this is depicted in Figure 5. In this example the channel 60 extends diagonally through the raised wall 20 thereby creating a tab 62 at the end of the channel at the edge of the raised wall 20. The user can seal the channel 60 by bending the tab 62 as depicted in the figure, using the tab to seal the channel. Once sealed the member would be locked into the base plate 12 such that the member cannot be decoupled. It is noted that the channel 60 may not always be needed. In some cases, if the raised walls 20 are sufficiently flexible the user may fold out the raised walls 20 such that the gap between the walls 20 is widened. Once the gap is widened the user can insert the protrusion 50 directly into the rotational aperture 40, then the user can fold the raised walls 20 back into place to prevent the member from being decoupled from the base plate, this method is preferable as the channel 60 can create a weak point in the raised walls 20 that can make it easier to damage the base plate 12 and may allow an intruder to decouple the member from the base plate 12 more easily. Figures 6 and 7 depict an example of a fence base foot 80 formed using the claimed base plate 12 as described above. This base foot comprises a base plate formed from a piece of sheet metal as described above, with two members attached to the base plate 12 using the coupling methods described above. More specifically the base foot 80 comprises a pair of arms coupled to the base plate 12. One arm is a securing arm 90, this arm is configured to act as a support to an item coupled to the member, in this case, the arm 90 supports a fence post coupled to the base foot 90. In use the user will rotate the securing arm such that it raises above the base plate 12, allowing the user to couple the fence post to the arm using a suitable fastener. This securing arm 90 should be able to rotate between a vertical and horizontal position as described above. Using the vertical position, perpendicular to the base plate 12 to deploy the securing arm for use, and a horizontal position, parallel to the base plate 12 to reduce the size of the base foot 80 when the base foot 80 is being stored and / or transported. It is noted that it may be preferable to have the securing arm 90 be configured to be locked at several angles, not just the horizontal and vertical positions. In particular, if the ground below the base foot 80 is not level the user may need to lock the securing arm 90 in a non-vertical position to keep the fence post vertical. It is noted that the securing arm 90 will be coupled to the end of the base plate 12 proximate to the guiding feature 30. In these cases, the guiding feature 30 will be configured to guide and hold the fence post as it is being coupled to the securing arm 90 with a suitable fastener. At the other end of the base foot, 80 is an optional weight arm 100. In use a user would put weights onto the base plate 12 to secure the base foot 80 in place and stop the fence post from falling over. The purpose of the weight arm 100 is to act as a backstop that prevents the weights from sliding off of the base plate, as with the securing arm 90, the weight arm would be configured to rotate at least between a vertical and horizontal position. As with the securing arm 90, the weight arm 100 may also be configured to be locked at different angles between the vertical and horizontal positions, for use when the ground beneath the base plate 12 is not level. It is noted that the weight arm 100 may also include features, such as a hook, configured to grip the weights atop the base place 12 to assist in holding the weights in place. Figure 7 shows the same base foot 80 when the arms 90,100 have been folded down. This configuration is used to store and transport the base foot 80. In particular, when the arms are folded as shown in the figure the overall size of the base foot 80 is reduced. The base foot is also configured so that both arms are housed in the gap between the raised walls 20 of the base plate 12. In particular, the arms may be configured to rest adjacent to each other when folded into the horizontal position, or as shown in the depicted example the apertures used to couple the arms to the base plate 12 may be set at different heights so that the arms rest atop each other when both arms are folded. In either case, this arrangement allows both arms to be folded while keeping the size of the base foot 80 minimal, additionally, this arrangement keeps the profile of the base foot 80 flat so that the base foot 80 can be stacked more easily for easier storage. Figure 8 depicts the preferred examples of the members used to form the securing arm 90 and weight arm 100. In the depicted example each of the arms comprises a frame, wherein the frame comprises a pair of legs 92,102, wherein one end of each leg is coupled to the end of the corresponding leg via a crossbar 94,104. The opposite end of the legs comprises a pair of apertures, wherein a metal plate or member is passed through the apertures so that the ends of the plate / member protrude through the legs 92,102, thereby producing the protrusions 50 used to couple the members to the base plate 12. It is noted that the crossbar 94 of the securing arm 90 comprises an aperture configured to receive the fastener used to secure the fence post to the securing arm 90. It is noted that this aperture is preferably in the form of a slot along the length of the crossbar 94, as this will allow the user to adjust the position of the fence post horizontally relative to the base foot 80. This will allow the user to ensure that the fence post is vertical even if the base plate 12 is not level. It is also noted that the weight arm 100 is shorter and wider than the securing arm 90. The securing arm is taller so that it can support more of the fence post, additionally as the fence post will be fastened to the securing arm at a higher point the arm will be less likely to fall over, compared to fastening the post proximate to the base foot 80. In contrast, the weight arm 100 is configured to be wider such that the arm can support more weight compared to a narrower arm, especially as the shorter and wider arm will be sturdier and thus can support more mass without bending. By using a base foot 80 as described above the user can mass produce a plurality of fence foots needed to deploy a fence around the desired area quickly. By using the design described above the number of parts needed to form the functioning base foot is reduced allowing the base to be formed quickly with fewer weak points created by welding or fasteners. Additionally, by removing the need for welding the user reduces the amount of pollution produced when creating the base foot.

Claims

1. The present invention provides a fence post assembly, such as for use in rapid deployment fencing, comprising a base plate assembly, a fixing clamp and a fixing bracket wherein the fixing bracket is configured to attach to the fence post proximate to its base and to a lateral securing bar by slotting over that bar by means of one or more apertures.

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