Fencing system

Abstract

The present invention provides a fencing system for enclosing an outdoor seating or assembly area comprising a plurality of posts ( 2 ) and awning support bars ( 3 ), each bar ( 3 ) extending between a pair of said posts ( 2 ) when the system is erect, the posts ( 2 ) and bars ( 3 ) including co-operating means ( 10,14,15 ) thereon for releasable attachment of the bars ( 3 ) to the posts ( 2 ), and an awning ( 4 ) hanging from each support bar ( 3 ) between said posts ( 2 ).

1 - 24 . (Cancelled)  
     
     
         25 . A fencing system for enclosing an outdoor seating or assembly area, the fencing system comprising: 
 a plurality of posts;    a plurality of awning support bars, each awning support bar extendable between a pair of the plurality of posts when the fencing system is erected, the posts and bars including co-operating means thereon for releasable attachment of the bars to the posts, the co-operating means including: 
 a mounting plate on each post; and  
 each end of a support bar is located on the mounting plate of an adjacent post so that the support bar extends adjacent posts;  
   an awning hangable from each support bar between said posts; and    a cap associated with each post, the cap being threadingly engageable with the mounting plate to prevent removal of each end of the support bars from the mounting plate on which it is located when the system is erected.    
     
     
         26 . A fencing system according to  claim 25 , wherein the cooperating means further comprises at least one elongate slot in each post.  
     
     
         27 . A fencing system according to  claim 26 , wherein each elongate slot extends axially from the open upper end of the post to receive the end of a support bar therein.  
     
     
         28 . A fencing system according to  claim 27 , wherein the mounting plate is located within the post spaced a distance from an open upper end of the post so that the end of a support bar rests on the mounting plate when the end of the support bar is inserted into the elongated slot.  
     
     
         29 . A fencing system according to  claim 28 , wherein each elongate slot is larger than the support bar so that the support bar has a degree of freedom of movement within the elongate slot.  
     
     
         30 . A fencing system according to  claim 29 , wherein each end of each support bar has a pin extending therefrom, each pin extending substantially at right angles to the elongate slot when the support bar is received in the elongate slot to prevent lateral movement of the support bar out of the elongate slot.  
     
     
         31 . A fencing system according to claim  1 , wherein the support bar includes hinge means operatively connected to each end thereof.  
     
     
         32 . A fencing system according to  claim 31 , wherein the hinge means comprises: 
 a first hinge leaf operatively connected to the end of the support bar; and    a second hinge leaf, pivotable with respect to the first hinge leaf, operatively connectable to the mounting plate of the support post.    
     
     
         33 . A fencing system according to  claim 32 , wherein the second hinge leaf has an aperture therein through which the cap extends to threadingly engage the cap to the mounting plate.  
     
     
         34 . A fencing system according to claim  1 , wherein the cap has a threaded shaft for engagement with the mounting plate.  
     
     
         35 . A fencing system according to  claim 34 , wherein the mounting plate has a threaded hole for cooperation with the threaded shaft of the cap, the threaded hole being coaxial with a longitudinal axis of the post.  
     
     
         36 . A fencing system according to claim  1 , wherein: 
 the awning is provided with an eyelet at each corner thereof, remote from the bar when the awning is hanging on the support bar; and    the post is provided with attachment means for attaching the awning to the post.    
     
     
         37 . A fencing system according to  claim 36 , wherein a flexible strap or bungee extends between the eyelet and the attachment means to directly attach the awning to the post.  
     
     
         38 . A fencing system according to  claim 37 , wherein the attachment means comprises a ring to which the flexible strap may be secured, the ring being spaced from the post and attached thereto by supporting legs.  
     
     
         39 . A fencing system according to claim  1 , wherein the system includes a base for each post permanently installed in the ground beneath the surface at the installation site, each base including a sleeve to receive a post therein.  
     
     
         40 . A fencing system according to  claim 39 , wherein a base plate is attached to the sleeve and has an aperture therein for the drainage of water from the sleeve.  
     
     
         41 . A fencing system according to  claim 40 , wherein a second mounting plate is disposed in the sleeve, the post being supported by the second mounting plate when inserted in the sleeve.  
     
     
         42 . A fencing system according to  claim 41 , wherein the second mounting plate includes a threaded aperture therein such that, when the system is disassembled and the post removed from the sleeve, the screw cap removed from the post may be inserted into the sleeve so that the threaded shaft engages the threaded aperture and seats flush with the ground surface thereby sealing an upper end of the sleeve.  
     
     
         43 . A fencing system according to  claim 42 , wherein the posts include a threaded rod for engagement with the threaded aperture in the second mounting plate to retain the post in the sleeve.  
     
     
         44 . A fencing system according to  claim 43 , wherein a tube is attached to the mounting plate and upstands therefrom, the tube having a through hole therein arranged coaxial with the aperture in the mounting plate.  
     
     
         45 . A fencing system according to claim  1 , wherein the post includes an outer section and an inner section slidably received in the outer section.  
     
     
         46 . A fencing system according to  claim 45 , wherein the outer section contains a threaded rod for engagement with a threaded aperture in the inner section such that rotation of the inner section, relative to the outer section, axially moves the inner section relative to the outer section providing each post with height adjustment.  
     
     
         47 . A fencing system according to claim  1 , comprising a surface mounted weighted base, the post being removably mountable on the weighted base.  
     
     
         48 . A fencing system according to  claim 47 , wherein the weighted base includes adjustable feet for adjusting the angle and height of the weighted base above the ground.