GB2575681A

GB2575681A - Fence Post

Info

Publication number: GB2575681A
Application number: GB1811865.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony Naylor Mark
Original assignee: BJA Trading Ltd
Current assignee: BJA Trading Ltd
Priority date: 2018-07-20
Filing date: 2018-07-20
Publication date: 2020-01-22
Anticipated expiration: 2038-07-20
Also published as: GB2575681B; GB201811865D0

Abstract

The fence post comprises metal folded into a H-shaped cross section, with a central rib 12 extending longitudinally along the length of the post and first and second opposing substantially planar surfaces 14, 16 extending laterally from the central rib, the central rib comprising a double layer of metal, the post further comprising fixing means 22 for attaching fencing material 24 to the post in use. The first surface may comprise a double layer of metal. The second surface may comprise first and second coplanar flanges 18, 20 extending from opposite sides of the central rib. The first and second flanges may comprise a single layer of metal. The fixing means may comprise fixing holes extending through the full thickness of the metal of the second surface. The first surface may be narrower than the second. The first and second surfaces may extend perpendicularly to the central rib. The metal may be galvanised steel or galvanised powder coated steel. The post may be folded using a cold-rolling process.

Description

FENCE POST

This disclosure relates generally to fence posts.

Fencing is widely used in commercial and residential settings and may be made from a variety of materials including metal and timber. Timber fencing commonly comprises timber pales that are attached to rails or timber panels, of which there are a variety of different types. Metal fencing may include metal rails, posts and mesh or netting.

All types of fencing materials require a fence post of some type to attach the fencing material to. There are three main types of fence post in common usage; namely, timber posts, metal posts and concrete posts. In use, the fence post is fixed into the ground and the fencing material needs to be fixed to the post.

Whilst timber fence posts are generally thought to be more attractive, particularly in a residential setting, they have the disadvantage of decaying and this have a relatively short life. Concrete posts are very heavy and thus difficult to store, handle and use, and can also break quite easily if dropped. Metal fence posts are more durable than wood and less easily damaged than concrete, but can be expensive and heavy. Furthermore, it is more difficult to fix fencing material to a metal post, especially when compared to a timber post.

Over the years many different design of metal fence post has been produced with the aim of addressing some of these problems.

For example, United States patent application no. US2001/0005010 Al discloses a metal fence post having a narrow, substantially U-shaped centre section with two outwardly extending flanges extending therefrom. A series of openings extending vertically along each of the flanges to allow fencing material to be attached to the post.

United Kingdom patent application no. GB 2 387 609 A, relates to a cold rolled metal fence post, having a generally l-shape cross-section, comprising a main web and hollow side walls, with a generally triangular cross-section.

There is a need for fence post that is strong, durable, easily handled and stored and is economically viable. Furthermore, it would be advantageous if the fence post contributed to an attractive appearance of the finished fence when in use.

According to the present invention, there is provided a fence post comprising metal folded into a generally H-shaped cross-section, the fence post comprising a central rib that extends longitudinally along a length of the fence post and first and second opposing, and substantially planar, surfaces that extend laterally from the central rib, wherein the central rib comprises a double layer of metal and the fence post further comprises fixing means for attaching fencing material to the fence post in use.

Suitably, the metal sheet is folded such that the central rib and the first surface comprise a double layer of metal. In a preferred embodiment the second surface comprises a first and second, essentially coplanar, flanges extending laterally from opposite sides of the central rib. Whilst the first and second flanges making the second surface of the post could comprise a double thickness of metal, this is not really necessary from a functional point of view. In a preferred embodiment the first and second flanges making up the second surface of the post comprise only a single layer of metal.

The double layer of the central rib is particularly advantageous, because it imparts strength to the fence post and enables the post and fence made using it to withstand greater force in use, especially forces such as wind acting on the side of the fence.

In addition, the double layer of the first surface means that this surface, which essentially functions as a retaining surface, can be narrower. The narrower first surface can be aesthetically pleasing in use, and also reduces the material cost of manufacturing the fence post.

Preferably, the metal is folded in such a way that there is substantially no void between the double layers of the central rib or, if relevant, the double layers of the first surface. Suitably, the folding process involves squeezing together the surfaces of the metal to minimise the void between abutting surfaces. In practice, there may be a small void at the internal corners of the first surface and where the central rib is folded to form the first surface. However, the intention is that these voids should be kept to the minimum possible by the manufacturing technique. There are no fixing means holding the abutting surfaces of the fence post together.

Preferably, the first surface and the second surface of the post, each extend essentially perpendicular to the central rib. Preferably, the first surface and the second surface are substantially parallel to each other.

The central rib, together with the first and second surfaces effectively define two channels on opposing sides of the central rib, within which channels fencing material may be received during use. In a preferred embodiment, these channels have a substantially Ushaped cross section.

In a preferred embodiment the first surface of the fence post is narrower than the second surface of the fence post. Alternatively, the first surface may be the same width as the second surface, or the first surface may be wider than the second surface.

The dimensions of the fencing panel can be chosen to suit the particular type of fence being constructed. For example, for applications for residential fencing, the dimensions of the fence post are chosen to compliment the average dimensions of a fencing panel. For example, the depth of the central rib, should be slightly greater than the thickness of an average fence panel, to allow the panel to be inserted in the channel created between the opposing first and second surface of the fence post, without allowing too much movement of the panel once inserted into the channel. An average panel has a thickness of around 48-50mm, so then the spacing between the first and second opposing surfaces, defined by the depth of the central rib is suitably around 50mm. The minimum separation of the first and second opposing surfaces, as defined by the depth of the central rib, will depend upon the application, but is suitably at least 15mm, such as at least 20mm. The maximum separation of the first and second opposing surfaces, as defined by the depth of the central rib, will also depend upon the application, but is suitably no more than 200mm, such as no more than 150mm. The separation of the first and second opposing surfaces, as defined by the depth of the central rib, may be 25 mm or 50mm or 100mm.

The width of the first and second surfaces should be sufficient to both allow for secure fixing of the fencing material to the fence post and to support the fencing material when in use. For example, the first and second surfaces are suitably at least 10mm wide.

The length of the fence post will also be dictated by the application, and a range of lengths can be provided for different fence heights. For example, the fence post may extend for a length of up to 4.0m and is suitably at least 1.0m in length. The fence post of the present invention may be provided in any standard fence post length, including but not limited to, 1.5m, 1.8m, 2.4m, 2.7m, 3m, 3.3m or 3.6m.

The fixing means suitably comprise fixing holes extending through the full thickness of the metal sheet. The fixing holes are placed at suitable locations to allow fencing material, such as fence panels or fence rails, to be fixed to the fence post in use. Whilst the fixing holes may form a series spaced along the full length of the fence post, in an alternative embodiment a plurality of discrete groups of fixing holes are spaced along the length of the fence post. The fixing holes may be equidistantly spaced from one another. The fixing holes may be arranged linearly along the length of the fence post. The fixing holes may be arranged in one or more rows, that may be staggered, extending along the length of the fence post.

In a preferred embodiment, the fixing holes are located in the flanges making up the second surface of the fence post. In this embodiment the second surface is acting as a fixing surface. In an alternative embodiment, the fixing holes may be located in the first surface of the fence post. Any fixing holes in the first surface of the fence post may be in addition to or alternative to any fixing holes in flanges making up the second surface of the fence post.

The average metal thickness of a single layer of the finished rolled fence post is suitably from 1 to 5mm, preferably from 2-4 mm, most preferably, the a single layer thickness of metal is on average 1.5mm, 2mm or 3.5 mm.

Preferably, the metal is steel. More preferably, the metal is galvanised steel. The metal may be galvanised and powder coated. Suitably, the fence post is made using a cold-rolling process.

Roll Forming is a continuous process for forming sheet, strip or coiled metal stock into long shapes of essentially uniform cross-section. The material is fed through multiple pairs of contoured forming rolls, which progressively shape the metal until the desired crosssection is produced. In use, the fence post of the present invention is fixed in the ground in an upright orientation. The fence post may be fixed in the ground by any suitable means, for example by concrete. The fence panel or fence rail may be inserted into the channel defined by the central rib and the first and second surfaces, on either side of the fence post. Alternatively, the fence panel or fence rail may be attached to the fence post outside the channel defined by the central rib and the first and second opposing surfaces.

Either way, the fence panel or fence rail is then fixed to the fence post through the fixing holes in the fence post, using any suitable fixing means.

A fence post can be provided, comprising a combination of features according to any two or more of the embodiment of the invention.

Example embodiments of the invention are hereinbelow described with reference to the appended drawings, of which:

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of part of section of an example fence post;

Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view along line A-A of figure 1;

Fig. 3 shows a partial perspective view of an example fence post in combination with two fence panel section;

Fig. 4 shows a cross-sectional view along line B-B of figure 3;

Fig 5 shows a fence panel retained between two fence posts, and

Fig 6 shows a fence panel or rail attached to the outside of two fence posts.

With reference to Figs. 1, an example fence post 10 is made from a single length of metal that has been folded into a generally Η-Shaped cross section. The post comprises a central rib, 12, which extends between opposing first and second surfaces, generally designated by reference numerals 14 and 16, respectively.

It can be seen from the figures, in particular figures 2 and 4, that the central rib 12 and the first surface 14, comprise a double thickness of metal, where as the two flanges 18 and 20, forming the second surface 16 comprise only a single thickness of metal.

In the embodiment illustrated in the figures hereof, the first surface 14 is narrower than the opposing second surface 16. The second surface comprises the two flanges 18 and 20.

In alternative embodiments (not shown), the first surface may be the same width as the second surface or the second surface may be narrower than the first surface.

As illustrated in figures 1 and 3, the single thickness flanges 18 and 20 comprise a series of fixing holes 22 therein to allow fencing material, such as panels or rails (not shown), to be fixed to the post 10.

In the figures, the fixing holes 22 are shown as being in discrete groups that extend along the length of each flange 18, 20. In an alternative embodiment (not shown) a series of fixing holes could extend along the full length of each flange 18, 20.

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate the relative positioning of a fence panel 24 relative to the post 10 when in use. It can be seen that the edge 26 of the panels 24 align with the central rib 12 of the fence post 10 in use and the surfaces 28 and 30 of the panels align with the second surface 16 and the first surface 14 of the fence post in use. The panels 24 are fixed to the post 10 using fixings (not show) that extend through the fixing holes 22 in the post 10 into the panel 24. In this embodiment, the first surface 14 functions as a retaining surface and the second surface 16 functions as a fixing surface.

In the embodiment illustrated, the post comprises fixing holes 22 only in the second surface 16 of the post 10. In an alternative embodiment (not shown) the post could comprise fixing holes in the first surface of the post, either in addition or instead of the fixing holes in the second surface.

Figure 5 illustrates a fencing panel 24 retained between two fence posts 10. The double layer arrangement of the central rib 12 provides strength to withstand greater forces in the front-back direction illustrated, compared to a similar fence post with only a single layer for the central rib.

Figure 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment of use, wherein a fence panel or fence rail attached to the outside of two fence posts 10. It can be seen that the fence panel or fence rail 32 is attached (fixings not shown) to the outside ofthe second surface 16 ofthe fence posts 10.

Claims

1. A fence post comprising metal folded into a generally H-shaped cross-section, the fence post comprising a central rib that extends longitudinally along a length ofthe fence post and first and second opposing, and substantially planar, surfaces that extend laterally from the central rib, wherein the central rib comprises a double layer of metal and the fence post further comprises fixing means for attaching fencing material to the fence post in use.

2. A fence post as claimed in claim 1, in which the first surface comprises a double layer of metal.

3. A fence post as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the second surface comprises a first and second flanges extending laterally from opposite sides ofthe central rib, said first and second flanges being essentially coplanar.

4. A fence post as claimed in claim 3, wherein the fist and second flanges comprise a single layer of metal.

5. A fence post as claimed any of the preceding claims, wherein the fixing means for attaching fencing material to the fence post in use, comprises fixing holes extending through the full thickness of the metal.

6. A fence post as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the fixing means for attaching fencing material to the fence post in use are located in the second surface ofthe fence post.

7. A fence post as claimed in any ofthe preceding claims, wherein the metal is folded in such a manner that there is essentially no void between abutting surfaces.

8. A fence post as claimed in any of the preceding claims, comprising no fixing means to hold abutting surfaces of the fence post together,

9. A fence post as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the first surface is

5 narrower than the second surface.

10. A fence post as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the first surface and the second surface extend essentially perpendicular to the central rib.

10

11. A fence assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the metal is galvanised steel or galvanised powder coated steel.

12. A fence post as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the metal sheet is folded using a cold-rolling process.

13. A fence post as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the central rib, together with the first and second opposing surfaces define two channels on opposing sides of the central rib.