IL123970A - Plastic fencing system - Google Patents

Abstract

A modular plastic garden fencing kit (10) for do-it-yourself assembly, comprising (a) a plurality of posts each provided with at least three longitudinal retention T slots (14) along the length of said post, two of said slots being spaced at 180 degrees and the remaining slot being spaced at 90 degrees to said slots; (b) a plurality of flexible fencing strips (16) comprising an array of multiple spaced-apart vertical members (18) joined to a plurality of horizontal members (22), said horizontal members having break lines (24) to allow shortening of said strip, the extremities of said horizontal members being T shaped to engage a T slot of an adjacent post; (c) a plurality of pedestals shaped to engage a lower extremity of said posts; and (d) a plurality of spacer tubes for assembly around said posts to support said fencing strips at a desired height and to connect a pair of said posts end to end. 90 כ" ז בסיון התשס" א - May 20, 2001

Description

PLASTIC FENCING SYSTEM The present invention relates to a plastic fencing system.

More particularly, the invention provides a kit of parts suitable for the do-it-yourself market, which after assembly, results in a plastic garden fence of aesthetic appearance.

House owners who have spent their life savings on a good looking house require a garden fence other than the galvanized steel netting supported by rusting iron posts, or rough wooden planks, which are common on farms to retain livestock.

Residential fencing has different functions. Garden gates are rarely locked, and so their effect in keeping out intruders - human or animal - is purely psychological. Fences may be closed to enhance privacy, or open, having more decorative value. What is certain however is that a good-looking garden fence will add value to a property far beyond its own cost.

Plastic fencing is known, and while initially more expensive than wood it compensates by incurring lower maintenance costs. Relative to wood and steel, plastic fencing has the advantages of not requiring painting, and being free of sharp edges, splinters and nails. Provided a suitable plastic is selected and is formulated with appropriate UV inhibitors, the fence will outlast an equivalent wooden or steel fence.

Fencing is usually installed by professional workmen, but careful design can eliminate tasks which are difficult for the average householder who may wish to carry out assembly by him or herself. An example of a fence unsuitable to the D.I.Y. market is the plastic fence disclosed by Svalbe in US Patent 5613664, which requires concrete and steel reinforcement, not the type of work suitable for amateurs.

In US Patent no. 5,702,090 Edgman discloses a plastic fence assembly intended for residential privacy fencing. Hollow extruded plastic posts have opposed side walls and end walls intersected by one or more elongated channels. Elongated spacer elements are inserted in the channels and retained therein by interlocking projections on the spacer elements and recesses formed in the side walls of the post channels. The spacer elements support side edges of vertically extending picket members, brackets for horizontally extending center rail members and to position at least one or both elongated top and bottom rail members of the fence assembly. The top and bottom rail members have elongated slots formed therein for receiving the opposite ends of generally planar board-like picket members. The top and bottom rail members and the spacer members may be cut to length, as may the post and picket members to provide fencing of a desirable height and distance between posts. Thus, the main body of the fencing between posts is composed of many parts and requires considerable assembly time. 2a German Patent 4210998 relates to a pole to be used with fences. The pole is provided with specific clamping means.

German Patent 4005160 relates to a post for fences provided with U shaped channels for accommodating the fence elements.

German Patent 2552032 relates to a fence comprising horizontal and vertical parallel elements which are connected to each other by T shaped connectors.

German Patent 4126694 relates to a fence made of plastic residue.

The Patoka Vinyl Company manufactures a large variety of PVC railings and fences. Hollow posts are provided with apertures for the insertion of U section rails, which are secured inside the posts by means of a flexible clip substantially W shaped, which is pushed into the rail. Rails are position limited to the pre-punched apertures. The main body of the fencing between posts is available either in ready made fencing sections, offered in many different styles, or in rails requiring assembly effort. Posts must be prepunched, with either rectangular or circular apertures, and are then limited in use according to the shape and position of these pre-punched apertures.

It is therefore one of the objects of the present invention to obviate the disadvantages of prior art plastic fencing and to provide a kit for the D.I.Y. market which is easily assembled by amateurs.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a kit which is flexible in assembly possibilities and can be used to construct curved fencing, angled fencing and right-angle corners.

Another object of the present invention is to provide fencing comprising ready-assembled sections which can nevertheless be shortened without the use of tools.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide fencing which is of pleasing appearance when assembled.

The present invention achieves the above objects by providing a modular plastic garden fencing kit for do-it-yourself assembly, comprising a) a plurality of posts each provided with at least three longitudinal retention T slots along the length of said post, two of said slots being spaced at 180 degrees and the remaining slot being spaced at 90 degrees to said slots; b) a plurality of flexible fencing strips comprising an array of multiple spaced-apart vertical members joined to a plurality of horizontal members, said horizontal members having break lines to allow shortening of said strip, the extremities of said horizontal members being T shaped to engage a T slot of an adjacent post; c) a plurality of pedestals shaped to engage a lower extremity of said posts; and d) a plurality of spacer tubes for assembly around said posts to support said fencing strips at a desired height and to connect a pair of said posts end to end.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a fencing kit wherein the posts are provide with eight longitudinal retention slots spaced at 45 degrees around the post perimeter.

In a most preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a fencing kit further comprising beam members provided with multiple spaced-apart apertures to allow assembly to said flexible fencing strips, said apertures being spaced and sized to match said vertical members and to allow assembly thereover to stiffen said flexible fencing strip.

Yet further embodiments of the invention will be described hereinafter.

It will thus be realized that the novel fencing of the present invention serves to allow straight, curved or angled sections. Straight sections may optionally be reinforced with a provided perforated beam. Angled sections are obtained by making use of two of the many angled T slots provided in the posts. Curved sections result by flexing the fencing sections and retaining them at the desired curvature by use of appropriately positioned posts.

The invention will now be described further with reference to the accompanying drawings, which represent by example preferred embodiments of the invention. Structural details are shown only as far as necessary for a fundamental understanding thereof. The described examples, together with the drawings, will make apparent to those skilled in the art how further forms of the invention may be realized.

In the drawings: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the kit parts after assembly, according to the invention; FIGS. 1a, 1 b, 1c show details of parts included in FIG. 1 ; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the fencing post; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a post cap; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a stiffening beam; FIG. 5 is a perspective view of parts of a hinge; FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a stave for anchoring a pedestal; FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a pedestal; FIG. 8a is a perspective view of a long joining tube; and FIG. 8b is a perspective view of a short spacer tube.

/ There is seen in FIG. 1 a section of fencing 10 assembled from a modular plastic garden fencing kit for do-it-yourself assembly. At least the components shown in FIGS. 1a, b, & c £re included in the kit.

FIG. 1a shows a vertical post 12 provided with three longitudinal retention T slots 14 along its length. Two of the slots 14 are spaced at 180 degrees, these being used for straight fencing. The remaining slot is spaced at 90 degrees to slots and is used for constructing fencing corners. The post 12 can be manufactured using a simple extrusion die.

FIG 1 b shows a flexible fencing strip 16 comprising an array of multiple spaced-apart vertical members 18. In the shown embodiment members 18 are of different height to enhance visual appeal. Vertical members 18 are provided with closure caps 20. Members 18 are joined to a plurality of horizontal members 22, which have break lines 24 to allow shortening of the strip 16. The extremities of horizontal members 22 are T shaped to engage a T slot 14 of an adjacent post 12, seen in FIG. 1 a.

Curved sections can be made by flexing the fencing strips 16 within their elastic limit. The strips are retained at the desired curvature by use of appropriately positioned posts 12.

Posts 12 and flexible fencing strips 16 are advantageously made of a UV stabilized grade of polypropylene. This plastic is the lightest weight plastic known, so more volume is obtained per dollar of raw material. This plastic also has outstanding toughness and chemical resistance.

As fencing is a product containing a high component of material costs, reductions can be achieved by the use of recycled plastic material.

Fig. 1 c shows a spacer tube 26 for assembly onto vertical members 18. Spacer tubes 26 can be seen in use in FIG. 1. to extend the fencing to a greater height.

The pedestal 28 shown in FIG. 1 is shaped to engage a lower extremity of the post 12. Pedestals will be further described with reference to FIGS. 6 & 7.

With reference to the rest of the figures, similar reference numerals have been used to identify similar parts.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is seen a component of a fencing kit wherein posts 30 are provide with eight longitudinal retention slots 32 spaced at 45 degrees around the post perimeter. The embodiment shown has thin walls 34 for economy. Its complex shape is produced by extrusion. In use, the retention slots 32 are suitable for achieving any fencing form where the angle between a plurality of sections is 45 degrees or a multiple thereof.

FIG. 3 illustrates a further component of a fencing kit.

A cap element 36 for assembly over the top extremity of posts 30 has a partially domed head 38, and a skirt 40 fitting over the post 30. The cap element 36 does much for improving the visual effect of the fencing. It can optionally be secured to the post 30 by use of an adhesive.

Seen in FIG. 4 is another component of the fencing kit.

A beam member 42 is provided with multiple spaced-apart apertures 44 to allow assembly to the flexible fencing strips 16 seen in FIG. 1 b. The apertures 44 are spaced and sized to match vertical members 18 and to allow assembly thereover to stiffen the flexible fencing strip 16. The beam member 42 is used where the flexible fencing strip 16 is intended to be retained in a straight configuration.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there are depicted components 46, 48 for the fencing kit comprising a two-part hinge unit. These are used for adding doors or gates.

A first part 46 is engageable with the retention slot 32 of the post 30 shown in FIG. 2. A second part 48 is revolvably connectable by means of a pin (not shown) to the first part and configured to support a gate panel 50.

FIG. 6 shows a part of the fencing kit used to secure the erected fence to a semi hard surface such as hard soil.

A metal stave 52, preferably steel, is shown for securing a pedestal 54 to the ground. Advantageously the stave 52 is 40 cm long or more, thus allowing the erected fencing to withstand high wind forces. Apertures 56 in the stave, suitably 15 mm diameter holes, allow entry to earth and stones and thus improve the grip of the stave to the ground.

FIG. 7 illustrates a further component of the fencing kit.

Pedestals 28 are provided with apertures 60 for passage of anchor bolts (not shown) for attachment to concrete. Webs 62 strengthen the pedestal 28 so as to strongly support the post 30 inserted therein. The use of foundation bolts into a concrete base provides the needed strength against overturning from a modestly sized base pedestal.

FIG. 8a shows a long extension tubes 64 usable for the posts 30. The short tube 66 seen in FIG. 8b can be used to position the fencing strip 16 at a desired height on the post 30.

The scope of the described invention is intended to include all embodiments coming within the meaning of the following claims. The foregoing examples illustrate useful forms of the invention, but are not to be considered as limiting its scope, as those skilled in the art will readily be aware that additional variants and modifications of the invention can be formulated without departing from the meaning of the following claims.

Claims (10)

10 WE CLAIM:

1. A modular plastic garden fencing kit for do-it-yourself assembly, comprising a) a plurality of posts each provided with at least three longitudinal retention T slots along the length of said post, two of said slots being spaced at 180 degrees and the remaining slot being spaced at 90 degrees to said slots; b) a plurality of flexible fencing strips comprising an array of multiple spaced-apart vertical members joined to a plurality of horizontal members, said horizontal members having break lines to allow shortening of said strip, the extremities of said horizontal members being T shaped to engage a T slot of an adjacent post; c) a plurality of pedestals shaped to engage a lower extremity of said posts; and d) a plurality of spacer tubes for assembly around said posts to support said fencing strips at a desired height and to connect a pair of said posts end to end.

2. The fencing kit as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said posts are provided with eight longitudinal retention slots spaced at 45 degrees around the post perimeter. 11

3. The fencing kit as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising cap elements for assembly over the top extremity of said posts.

4. The fencing kit as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising beam members provided with multiple spaced-apart apertures to allow assembly to said flexible fencing strips, said apertures being spaced and sized to match said vertical members and to allow assembly thereover to stiffen said flexible fencing strip.

5. The fencing kit as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a two-part hinge unit, a first part being engageable with said retention slot and a second part being revolvably connectable by means of a pin to said first part and configured to support a gate panel.

6. The fencing kit as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising metal staves for piercing said pedestals and to secure said pedestals to the ground.

7. The fencing kit as claimed in claim 5, wherein said pedestals are provided with apertures for passage of said metal staves.

8. The fencing kit as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said pedestals are provided with apertures for passage of anchor bolts for attachment to concrete. 12

9. The fencing kit as claimed in claim 1 , wherein at least said posts and flexible fencing strips are made of a UV stabilized grade of polypropylene.

10. The fencing kit as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said posts, beams and pedestals are made of recycled plastic material.