EP1382778B1 - Metal fence whereby the folds of the posts block the flatened ends of the horizontal wires of the wire mesh panels - Google Patents

Abstract

The metal fence. consisting of posts with folded edges (1, 1', 2, 2') and mesh panels (7) with horizontal (12) and vertical wires, has the ends of the horizontal wires flattened or bent so they are held in slots (11) in the post folds when inserted through enlarged ends (10) and then pulled into the tapering portions of the folds. After fitting the mesh panels, the open upper ends of the posts are closed by caps with spring clips that also engage with the slots.

Description

The present invention relates to a metal fence consisting of welded grid mesh panels held by metal studs with notches.

Many patents are already known in this field.

In most of them, for example: FR 2 785 933 , FR 2 780 432 , FR 2 802 959 , FR 2 676 488 , a panel is retained in a post by locking its vertical end wire in a fold of the post. To allow the introduction of the end of the panel in the post it is necessary that it has a longitudinal groove for the passage of the vertical wire of the panel, conjugated to a succession of transverse notches for the passage of horizontal son, the notches necessarily opening into the vertical groove.

Cutting the notches opening into a fold of the profiled post causes the formation of claws of lesser resistance that may cause a detrimental breaking initiation and possibly a weakness in corrosion. On the other hand the post has an open profile that affects its overall rigidity.

A fence of the type described in the FR 2,676,488 is said to advance that is to say that the pose is carried out by sealing first a pole on which one end of a first panel is fixed, then sealing a second pole at the other end of the panel and so on.

In order to avoid the formation of claws in the posts, the applicant has already described a first solution in her FR 2,710,938 . This solution is to hang the panels not by their vertical son but by the flattened ends and / or deformed horizontal son coming to jam at the bottom of notches or oblong slots cut into the side blanks of a post.

Such a fence does not arise at the time of advancement, but in several times, namely by first sealing all the posts, then filling the intervals between posts by inserting the panels into the posts and blocking them with pieces. blocking, for example vertical rods. A disadvantage of this fence is to require additional parts which decreases the reliability of the fence to the aggressions and increases its cost.

An object of the invention is to improve this mode of attachment by the ends of the horizontal son by removing the blocking parts.

We know the document FR 2,800,779 which has, in its second embodiment in FIG. 6, a fence whose panels are retained by engagement of the ends bent at 90 ° from the horizontal wires, between claws folded inside a longitudinal groove of the pole. This solution does not require a locking piece but has the same disadvantage as that of the first examples cited namely the fragility due to the presence of claws. In addition, the profile is complex to achieve.

Another object of the invention is therefore also to eliminate the conjugation (longitudinal groove-transverse notches) in order to remove the claws

Another object of the invention is to provide a closed profile to increase the rigidity of the post and in particular its resistance to torsion.

• d'une part les extrémités des fils horizontaux des panneaux sont aplaties ou déformées,
• d'autre part le poteau comporte au moins un pli de chaque côté d'un plan médian, les encoches ou lumières étant obtenues par découpe dans lesdits plis et disposées perpendiculairement au plan médian,
• en outre chaque encoche ou lumière présente avant pliage la forme d'une fente à bords parallèles sur au moins une partie de la longueur de ladite fente, et débouchant dans un élargissement, les largeurs et respectives de la fente et de l'épanouissement étant légèrement supérieures respectivement au diamètre d'un fil horizontal et de sa partie aplatie ou déformée de manière à permettre l'entrée d'un fil horizontal à l'intérieur du poteau et à réaliser le blocage latéral des embouts aplatis ou déformés en fond de gorge d'un pli ou dudit poteau.

These objectives are achieved by the invention which consists of a pole-panel assembly for a fence, said panel being a grid consisting of horizontal and vertical wires welded together to form a mesh, the pole having along its length a plurality of notches or lights regularly spaced according to the spacing of the horizontal wires of the panel, characterized in that:

• on the one hand the ends of the horizontal wires of the panels are flattened or deformed,
• on the other hand the post comprises at least one fold on each side of a median plane, the notches or lights being obtained by cutting in said folds and arranged perpendicularly to the median plane,
• in addition each notch or light has before bending the shape of a slot with parallel edges over at least a portion of the length of said slot, and opening into an enlargement, the widths and respective widths of the slot and the development being slightly greater than the diameter of a horizontal wire and its flattened or deformed part so as to allow the entry of a horizontal wire inside the pole and to achieve the lateral blocking of the flattened or deformed ends at the bottom of the throat; a fold or said post.

The invention also relates to a metal fence consisting of welded grid mesh panels maintained by metal studs or slots lights characterized in that it is composed of a succession of sets (post-panel).

Preferably the upper openings of the posts are each closed by a cap that can be fixed by clipping in the two notches or upper lights of the post with the help of elastic tabs each terminated by a lug coming snap into a notch (6) upper of a pole.

The general inventive idea was to combine the benefits of a forward fence with a horizontal wire fence.

• la figure 1 est une vue partielle d'un panneau en présentation devant un poteau dans lequel il va être accroché,
• les figures 2 et 3 montrent des variantes de déformations des extrémités des fils horizontaux d'un panneau,
• les figures 4, 5, 6 montrent les étapes successives d'introduction d'une extrémité d'un fil horizontal d'un panneau, le poteau étant vu de dessus selon une coupe horizontale AA passant dans le plan d'une encoche ou lumière,
• les figures 7, 8, 9 montrent les mêmes étapes que les figures 4, 5 et 6 mais vues latéralement selon la flèche B,
• la figure 10 montre un chapeau de poteau en présentation devant l'extrémité haute de celui-ci,
• la figure 11 est une vue partielle en coupe verticale vue selon CC de l'extrémité haute d'un poteau avec capuchon en place,
• la figure 12 est une vue partielle en coupe verticale vue selon DD de l'extrémité haute d'un poteau avec capuchon en place,
• les figures 13 et 14 sont des variantes de réalisation de la lumière et de l'espacement des lumières.

The invention will be better understood from the following description given with reference to the following appended figures:

• Figure 1 is a partial view of a panel in front of a pole in which it will be hung,
• Figures 2 and 3 show variations of deformations of the ends of the horizontal wires of a panel,
• Figures 4, 5, 6 show the successive steps of introducing an end of a horizontal wire of a panel, the pole being viewed from above in a horizontal section AA passing in the plane of a notch or light,
• Figures 7, 8, 9 show the same steps as Figures 4, 5 and 6 but seen laterally along arrow B,
• Figure 10 shows a post cap in presentation in front of the high end of it,
• Figure 11 is a partial view in vertical section seen according to CC of the high end of a pole with cap in place,
• Figure 12 is a partial view in vertical section seen according to DD of the high end of a post with cap in place,
• Figures 13 and 14 are alternative embodiments of the light and the spacing of the lights.

The figures show a preferred non-limiting form of a post (21) according to the invention.

It has a symmetrical horizontal section "in coil" with on each side of a median plane (5) of symmetry: two vertical folds in "V" (1, 1 ') and (2, 2') directed towards the outside on each side of a plane face respectively (3) and (4) parallel to the median plane (5).

In the example shown, only two opposite folds (1) and (2) are used for fastening the panels.

For this purpose, each of these folds has notches or lights of specific shape and spaced regularly in accordance with the spacing of the horizontal son of the panel (7) to be hung.

Such a notch (6) is obtained by cutting into the sheet metal blank of the post before folding.

The light presented by way of nonlimiting example has before folding the shape of a slot (11) with parallel edges (8,9) of width (I) and terminated at one of its ends by a widening (10) circular or ovoid (or other) of width (L). The widths (I) and (L) are respectively slightly greater than the diameter of a horizontal wire (12) and its flattened or deformed portion (13) which may have shape variants (for example those of Figures 1, 2 and 3 ).

Preferably, the light is longer than a wing of the V-fold, and preferably longer than its inner wing (14 or 15) which extends one of its flat faces (3 or 4).

Thus the end with parallel edges of the slot (11) of the light is slightly extended on the outer flange (16 or 17) of the V-folds (1) and (2) to allow angles or curvatures of the fence and the enlargement (10) is extended at least partially or even substantially half on the flat face (3 or 4) to facilitate the entry of the son especially in the non-rectilinear parts of the fence.

• figures 1 et 7: présentation des fils horizontaux (12) devant les élargissements (10), et introduction des extrémités des fils dans le poteau,
• figures 5 et 8 : déplacement du panneau vers le plan médian vertical du pli (1) ou (2) puis écartement du panneau selon la flèche E,
• figure 6 et 9, blocage ou mise en butée des parties aplaties ou déformées (13) des fils en fond de gorge des plis (1) ou (2).

The introduction and blocking phases of a panel (7) are represented by figure 1 to 9 and are the following.

• Figures 1 and 7 : presentation of the horizontal son (12) before the widening (10), and introduction of the ends of the son in the post,
• Figures 5 and 8 : displacement of the panel towards the vertical median plane of the fold (1) or (2) then separation of the panel according to the arrow E,
• figure 6 and 9 blocking or abutting the flattened or deformed portions (13) of the yarns at the bottom of the folds (1) or (2).

Due to the fact that the laying is a laying with the advancement, the panel (7) can not leave the posts and a locking member of the panels is not necessary because it is ensured by the lateral locking of the flattened or deformed ends ( 13) (see figure 6 and 9 ).

A cap (18) may be provided to seal the top opening of a pole.

For example, the cap of Figures 10, 11 and 12 can be fixed by clipping in the two upper notches of the post with elastic tabs (19) each terminated by a lug or hook or the like (20). A tab is adapted to be slid into a V-fold (1) or (2) so that its lug (20) or hook or equivalent is clipped into the light (6).

Thus, a cap offers by its tabs (19) a lateral locking wire stuck in the upper lights of the post and the flattened or deformed end of each wire The upper is thus abutted in both vertical and horizontal directions, respectively thanks to a cap lug, and thanks to the internal and external wings of the V-shaped fold.

Advantageously, a fence according to the invention does not include locking parts such as clips or rods or other, which causes a reduction in the cost of the fence.

In addition, the post can be closed section which results in good torsional rigidity, which was not the case in the prior art.

• les fentes (11) ou encoches qui pourraient présenter des variantes de forme par exemple une fente avec des bords parallèles sur une partie seulement de la longueur, du côté de l'extrémité fermée des bords légèrement évasés en direction de l'élargissement (10) (voir figure 13),
• l'élargissement, qui est un terme utilisé dans tout le texte par souci de simplification mais qui désigne toute forme de découpe dont la caractéristique dimensionnelle essentielle est la longueur (L), (parallèlement à la direction du poteau) qui doit être apte à laisser entrer la partie aplatie ou déformée (13) d'un fil horizontal,
• de la section du poteau, qui peut également présenter des variantes, mais chacune avec au moins un pli de chaque côté du plan médian (5), pli pouvant présenter une section sensiblement en V ou en U ou autre,
• de la forme des parties aplaties (13) des fils horizontaux comme déjà indiqué plus haut,
• des moyens d'accrochage du capuchon,
• l'espacement des encoches ou lumières qui, conformément à l'espacement des fils horizontaux, peut être un espacement identique ou un sous multiple de l'espacement desdits fils, ce cas de figure (permettant de décaler verticalement deux panneaux de grillage consécutifs si la clôture est en perte douce par exemple (voir en figure 14).

Naturally, the invention may have alternative embodiments, particularly with regard to:

• the slots (11) or notches which could have shape variants, for example a slot with parallel edges on only a part of the length, on the closed end side of the slightly flared edges towards the widening (10) (see figure 13 )
• enlargement, which is a term used throughout the text for the sake of simplification but which designates any form of cutting whose essential dimensional characteristic is the length (L), (parallel to the direction of the post) which must be able to leave entering the flattened or deformed portion (13) of a horizontal wire,
• of the section of the post, which may also have variants, but each with at least one fold on each side of the median plane (5), fold may have a section substantially V or U or other,
• of the shape of the flattened portions (13) of the horizontal wires as already indicated above,
• fastening means of the cap,
• the spacing of the notches or lights which, in accordance with the spacing of the horizontal wires, may be an identical spacing or a sub-multiple of the spacing of said wires, this case being used (for vertically displacing two consecutive grating panels if the fence is in soft loss for example (see figure 14 ).

Furthermore, the fact of laterally blocking the panel (7) by the deformed ends (13) of the horizontal son (13) provides another important advantage. The flexibility of the horizontal son (13) allows an easier implementation to compensate for any tolerance differences between the positions of the lights (6) and / or horizontal son (13) of the panels (7). This is not the case if it is the vertical end wire that is positioned at the bottom of the pole groove (patent EN 2,676,488 for example) because the ends of the horizontal son are welded to this vertical wire and then have no flexibility.

In addition, this function of lateral locking is essential when laying to the progress. In the FR 2,676,488 for example, the vertical end wire must be maintained at the bottom of the throat of the post by these temporary holding wedges during laying until the panel is permanently stretched between two posts. These shims can then be removed. Advantageously, a fence according to the invention does not require these extra expensive wedges and which become unnecessary once the fence is laid. The hood remains in place, the post is closed at the top and the aesthetics of the fence are involved.

Claims (7)

1. Post/panel assembly for fencing, the said panel being made of netting formed from horizontal and vertical wires welded to one another to form a mesh, the post comprising along its length a plurality of notches or holes, evenly spaced in accordance with the spacing of the panel horizontal wires, characterized in that:

   - on one hand, the ends (13) of the panel horizontal wires (12) are flattened or deformed,

   - on the other hand, the post comprises at least one fold (1) (2) on each side of a centre plane (5), the notches or holes (6) being obtained by cutting out of the said folds (1) and (2) and arranged perpendicularly to the centre plane (5),

   - in addition, each notch or hole has, prior to folding, the shape of a slot (11) with parallel edges on at least a portion of the length of the said slot and running into an enlargement (10), the respective widths (I) and (L) of the slot and of the opening out (10) being slightly greater than the diameter of a horizontal wire (12) and the diameter of its flattened or deformed portion (13) respectively so as to allow the entry of a horizontal wire into the post and to carry out the lateral locking of the flattened or deformed tips at the bottom of the recess of a fold (1) or (2) of the said post.
2. Post/panel assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the folds are of a substantially V section.
3. Post/panel assembly according to either of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the post is of a "bobbin" symmetrical horizontal section with the following on each side of a symmetry centre plane (5): two substantially "V"-shaped vertical folds (1,1') and (2, 2') directed outwards, on either side of a flat face, (3) and (4) respectively, parallel with the centre plane (5).
4. Post/panel assembly according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a hole or notch, before folding of the post, is longer than a wing of the "V" fold and preferentially longer than its internal wing (14 or 15) which extends one of its flat faces (3 or 4).
5. Post/panel assembly according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the parallel-edged end of the slot (11) of the cut-out extends slightly into the external wing (16 or 17) of the V-shaped folds (1) and (2) to make corners or curves in the fencing possible and the enlargement (10) extends at least partly, even substantially for half its size into the flat face (3 or 4) to ease entry of the wires, particularly in the portions of the fencing which are not rectilinear.
6. Metal fencing made up of welded netting panels forming a mesh, the said panels being held by metal posts with notches or holes, characterized in that it is made up of a succession of post/panel assemblies according to one of claims 1 to 5 and erected according to a progressive erection method.
7. Metal fencing according to claim 6, characterized in that the top openings of the posts are each closed with a cap which can be fastened by clipping into the top two notches or holes of the post by means of elastic feet (19) each ending in a catch (20) which clips into a top notch (6) of a post.

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