IE20180158A1

IE20180158A1 - A fence fastener device

Info

Publication number: IE20180158A1
Application number: IE20180158A
Authority: IE
Inventors: Marry Patrick
Original assignee: Marry Patrick
Priority date: 2017-05-24
Filing date: 2018-05-24
Publication date: 2018-12-12
Also published as: GB2562754B; GB2562754A; GB201708300D0; IE87064B1

Abstract

A fence panel fixing device comprises a central member having a substantial U-shape comprising two side arms, the central member comprising a flat central elongate section and two side sections, the side arms having a substantial L-shape and forming an inverted U-shape with the side sections of the central member. The central member is attached to a fence panel and the side arms support a bracing rail or batten.

Description

"A Fence Fastener Device" Introduction The invention relates to a fence panel securing bracket or device used to secure fence panels.

In fencing, particularly in urban settings, preformed wooden panels are positioned between support posts that are normally concreted into the ground. The preformed panels frequently become unsecure and unstable. In such situations it is not uncommon to see many different types of bracing means being used in an attempt by the householder to keep the wooden panels upright.

There is a clear need for a simple and effective means to secure preformed wooden panels in position between the support posts.

Statements of Invention According to the invention there is provided a fence panel fixing device comprising a central member having a substantial U-shape comprising two side arms, the central member comprising a flat central elongate section and two side sections, the side arms having a substantial L-shape and forming an inverted U-shape with the side sections of the central member.

In one embodiment of the invention the central member is attached to a fence panel and the side arms of the device support a bracing rail or batten.

In one embodiment of the invention one end of the central flat elongate section extends forming a lip. Preferably the lip has tapered sides.

In one embodiment of the invention the central member and side arms comprise openings for receiving fixings to secure the device to a fence panel and bracing rails.

In one embodiment of the invention the central member sits across the top of a fence panel with the two side sections extending downwardly along the side of the fence panel and the side arms support a bracing rail extending horizontally along the fence panel.

In another embodiment of the invention a fence panel sits on the central member with the two side sections extending upwardly along the side of the fence panel and the side arms support a bracing/reinforcing rail extending horizontally along the fence panel.

In one embodiment of the invention the width of the central flat elongate section is sized to accommodate the width of a fence panel.

In one embodiment of the invention the fence panel fixing device is manufactured from a durable plastics material. The fence panel fixing device may also be manufactured from a heavy duty steel material.

Brief Description of the Invention The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is an end view of the fence panel securing device of the invention; Fig. 2 is a downward view of the device of the invention; Fig. 3 is a side view of the device of the invention; Fig. 4 is a side perspective view from one side of the device of the invention; Fig. 5 is a side perspective view from another side of the device of the invention; Fig. 6 is an end view of the device in position on top of a fence panel; Fig. 7 is an end view of the device in position on the bottom of a fence panel; Fig. 8 is a downward view of the device in position on top of a fence panel; Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a fence panel showing the device of the invention in position; Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a fence panel showing a number of devices of the invention in position according to the invention; and Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a fence panel showing the device of the invention in position according to the invention.

Detailed description Preformed wooden panels are typically used to separate neighbouring gardens in both urban and rural settings. The preformed panels are typically manufactured from a lightweight wood material. Typically the preformed wooden panels are secured between support posts that are concreted into the ground. The panels are secured at either end to the support posts. Unfortunately it is not uncommon to see the preformed panels in various states of disrepair as they are susceptible to high winds and inclement weather with the panels being blown easily down as a result of not having enough support.

The present invention provides a device and means of providing support and reinforcing such preformed panel fences. The device is secured to the fence panel providing support for bracing rails or battens to be fixed horizontally alongside the panels giving the panels the required strength to withstand inclement weather conditions.

The fence panel fixing device 1 of the invention comprises a central member 2 formed or moulded into a substantial U-shape comprising a central flat elongate section 3 and two side sections 4 extending at a right angle from the central flat elongate section 3. Extending at a right angle from either of the side sections 4 is an L shaped side arm 5. The L shaped side arm 5 forms an inverted U shape with the side section 4.

The central flat elongate section 3, the side sections 4 and the long arm 6 of the side arms 5 have openings 7 for securing the device 1 to a fence panel 10 and securing bracing rails 11 to the side of the fence panel 10. A fixing such as a threaded screw 3 may be inserted into the opening 7 on the side arm 6, through the bracing rail and through the opening 7 on the side section 4 of the central member 2 to secure the bracing rail 11 securely to the fence panel 10. A fixing such as a threaded screw may be inserted into the opening 7 on the central flat elongate section 3 to secure the device 1 to the fence panel. The device may be secured using screws or any other suitable fixing means.

Typically support posts 14 supporting pre-formed wooden fences are shaped such that the fence panel is secured along its vertical sides within a moulded groove extending vertically down the support post 14. One end of the central flat elongate section 3 of the device 1 of the present invention extends forming a lip 9. The lip 9 has angled or tapered sides which correspond with the shape of the groove in the support post 14 so that the device fits neatly with the support post 14. The lip 9 may be shaped to correspond with different shaped support posts 14.

As shown in Fig. 6 the central flat elongate section 3 of the device 1 sits across the top of a fence panel 10 with the side sections 4 extending downwardly along the side of the fence panel 10. The side arms 5 support a bracing rail or batten 11 extending horizontally alongside the top on either side of a preformed fence panel 10.

Alternatively as shown in Fig. 7, a fence panel 10 may be placed on top of the central flat elongate section 3 with the side arms 4 extending upwardly along the side of the fence panel 10. In this instance the bracing rails 11 extend horizontally alongside the bottom on either side of the preformed fence panel 10.

The device 1 of the present invention may alternatively be shaped such that a batten or bracing rail 11 extends horizontally along one side of a preformed fence panel only. In this instance the device would only have one L-shaped side arm 5 to accommodate a bracing batten or rail on one side only of a preformed fence panel.

The device 1 of the invention may be sized to accommodate any size of fence panel. The width of the central flat elongate section 3 may be sized to accommodate different widths of fence panel. The side arms 5 may be sized to accommodate different widths of bracing rails.

As shown in Fig. 10 more than two devices 1 of the invention may be used to secure and support the bracing rails 11 alongside a fence panel. The devices 1 may be placed anywhere along the top or bottom of a fence panel.

The bracing rail or batten 11 does not need to extend the full length of the fence panel 10. As shown in Fig. 11 the bracing rail 12 may be shorter and secured in the centre of the fence panel or in an area where the fence 10 is damaged or weakened to provide the necessary support to the fence panel.

The fence panel fixing device is manufactured from a strong and durable material. The device may be manufactured from a moulded plastics material or a metal material. The device may be painted or coated for longer life and a longer lasting attractive finish and to suit or enhance the overall appearance of the fence panel.

The fence panel fixing device of the present invention may be retrofitted to existing fence panels or the device may be incorporated when the fence is first installed.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which may be varied in construction and detail.

Claims

1. A fence panel fixing device comprising a central member having a substantial Ushape comprising two side arms, the central member comprising a flat central elongate section and two side sections, the side arms having a substantial L-shape and forming an inverted U-shape with the side sections of the central member.

2. A fence panel fixing device as claimed in claim 1 wherein in use the central member is attached to a fence panel and the side arms support a bracing rail or batten.

3. A fence panel fixing device as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein one end of the central flat elongate section extends forming a lip.

4. A fence panel fixing device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the lip has tapered sides.

5. A fence panel fixing device as claimed in any of claims 2 to 4 wherein the central member and side arms comprise openings for receiving fixings to secure the device to the fence panel and bracing rails.

6. A fence panel fixing device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the central member sits across the top of a fence panel with the two side sections extending downwardly along the side of the fence panel and the side arms support a bracing rail extending horizontally along the fence panel.

7. A fence panel fixing device as claimed in of claims 1 to 5 wherein a fence panel sits on the central member with the two side sections extending upwardly along the side of the fence panel and the side anus support a bracing/reinforcing rail extending horizontally along the fence panel.

8. A fence panel fixing device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the width of the central flat elongate sectiom is sized to accommodate the width of a fence panel.

9. A fence panel fixing device as claimed in any preceding claim manufactured from a durable plastics material.

10. A fence panel fixing device as claimed in any preceding claim manufactured from 5 a steel material.