GB2411664A - Fence post bracket for supporting additional panelling such as trellis - Google Patents

Abstract

A bracket 1 is mounted on a fence post and is releasably secured 3 thereto, the bracket 1 supports additional panelling such as trellis closely adjacent to the original fence. The bracket 1 may be mounted onto a vertical face of a concrete post and may be self supporting. The bracket 1 preferably allows for varying post width. A guide may support both multiple and/or single fixation of a trellis. A U channel 6 may allow for horizontal adjustment of the trellis. The trellis may be fixed to the bracket 1 via screw holes 7 and may be removed for fence panel maintenance.

Description

2411 664 Post Bracket This invention relates to a bracket for the fixing

of Panel Structures and the like to posts.

Whilst wooden fence posts are still used, it is coming common practice today that homeowners are increasingly turning to concrete posts and bargeboards as low maintenance components in erecting property boundaries.

This trend creates a problem when wanting to affix trellis or such like to the boundary as these posts are difficult to drill. If deeds show that the boundary is that of the person wanting to affix the trellis then he/she can fix it to the fence panel directly.

However if the boundary fence is that of a neighbour then this is difficult if not unwise as it will render the fence panel non removable from the concrete support posts. An alternative option would be to create an additional internal boundary for the non-owner of the boundary. This however reduces the boundary further and could be unsightly in urban environments.

Mansfield & White (GB2347169) tackled the issue with their combined post clamp and bracket for their irrigation system. However this patent does not readily take into account the fact of additional structures such as trellises and the like wanting to be supported adjacent to each other. Neither does it take into account and identify the possibility of removing the structure such as a trellis and the like for maintenance of boundary fencing.

The same issues apply to Bremer (DE3248438) " Securing means for trellis work". With this patent a U-shaped bar is used to secure the trellis panels to the fence post.

According to the present invention there is a one piece post bracket which will, using the fencing post, be suitably arranged in shape to provide a means of being reasonably secured to the post at any point along the vertical axis on any face not designated to support a decorative fencing panel. The bracket is such in design as to support adjacent structures such as trellises and the like in close proximity to the original boundary structure.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; Figure I Shows post bracket intended for concrete posts.

Figure 2 Shows post bracket intended for wooden posts.

Figure 3a Shows typical concrete post cross sections with post bracket in place.

Figure 3b shows wooden post cross section with post bracket in place.

Figure 4 Shows lower mounting bracket in position.

Figure 5 Shows trellis and the like in lower bracket U-channel.

Figure 6 Shows concrete bracket in reverse orientation.

Figure 7 Shows invention in its concrete post application.

Figure 8 Shows invention in its wooden post application.

Referring to figures 1 & 2, there is according to this invention a one piece bracket (1) or (2) suitable in design to be reasonably secured at any point on the relevant post type in the vertical axis by means of a securing method (3) or (4). Where the boundary is that of a neighbour then bracket (1) can be held in place via self adjusting features (5) only.

These features (5) will also have the function of allowing for variation in concrete post dimensions. If securing method (3) is not used then the fence panel and the like can be removed for maintenance and replacement without the need to remove the brackets.

A U channel feature (6) is provided to accept & support a trellis and the like. The trellis and the like can then be secured in its desired position via securing method (7), also allowing for horizontal adjustment.

Referring to figures 3 to 8, it can be shown that it is intended that brackets ( 1) will mount over the concrete posts shown in figure 3a until vertical position is achieved on two adjacent posts as shown in figure 4. Additional securing of brackets (1) can be achieved by securing means (3) if the boundary is that ofthe affixer.

Referring to figure 5, brackets (1) will now accept a trellis and the like in the U channel (6).

Referring to figure 6, brackets (1) will mount over the concrete post in orientation shown until the U channel (6) accepts top of the trellis and the like.

Trellis and the like can then be fixed to the brackets (1) via securing means (7), which also allows for any horizontal adjustment.

Additional adjacent trellises and the like can be affixed to further concrete posts as shown in figure 8

Claims (7)

1. A fencing post bracket will, using the fencing post, be suitably arranged in shape to provide a means of being reasonably secured to the post at any point along the vertical axis on any face not designated to support a decorative fencing panel. The bracket is such in design as to support such as trellises and the like in close proximity to the original boundary structure.

2. The combination of claim I wherein the fencing post bracket may be attached to the concrete fencing post at any point along the vertical axis of any face not designated to support a decorative fencing panel and be self supporting without the need of additional fixing methods or drilling of posts.

3. The combination of claim l and claim 2 wherein a guide means supports both adjacent multiple and /or single fixation of trellises and the like.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein the bracket allows for concrete post dimensional variance.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein the U channel feature allows for horizontal adjustment or positioning of the trellis and the like.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein the trellis and the like may be dismounted from the bracket to allow maintenance of fence panels.

7. The post brackets substantially as described herein with reference to figures 1-8 of the accompanying drawings.