Fencing system

Abstract

This invention provides a fencing system ( 10 ) comprising a plurality of spaced apart parallel extending upright posts ( 12 ); a plurality of horizontally extending bearers ( 14 ); and a plurality of parallel extending uprights ( 16 ). First connecting means ( 18 ) connects the bearers ( 14 ) to the posts ( 12 ) and second connecting means ( 20 ) connects the uprights ( 16 ) to the bearers ( 14 ). Each post ( 12 ) defines an elongate channel 12.1 , and is provided with a cover 12.2 connected to the post ( 12 ) by a fourth connecting means ( 22 ), for closing the channel 12.1 . Posts ( 12 ) located in a central region of the fencing system ( 10 ) are adapted to receive a supporting insulator ( 24 ), for supporting an electrified conductor ( 26 ). A carrier ( 28 ) is connected to corner posts ( 12 ) by third connecting means and includes a carrier ( 28 ) with connecting formations 28.2 for connecting to an insulator ( 30 ) for carrying electrified conductors ( 26 ).

1 . A fencing system comprising at least one post; at least one bearer; at least one upright; first connecting means for connecting the bearer to the post; and second connecting means for connecting the upright to the bearer, the fencing system being characterised in that the first and second connecting means each comprises a male formation for mating with a female formation, at least a portion of either the male or the female formations being deformable after the mating, to lock the bearer to the post and the upright respectively.  
   
   
       2 . A fencing system according to  claim 1  wherein the post, bearer and upright are of sheet material that are punched and bent to form elongate channel defining members, having parallel extending flange formations.  
   
   
       3 . A fencing system according to  claim 1  wherein the male formation of the first connecting means is located on either one of the bearer or the post and the female formation is located on the other one.  
   
   
       4 . A fencing system according to  claim 1 , wherein the male formation of the second connecting means is located on either one of the upright or the bearer and the female formation is located on the other one.  
   
   
       5 . A fencing system according to  claim 1 , wherein the male formation of the first connecting means comprises a flat planar spigot extending from each end of the bearer, and the female formation of the first connecting means comprises a complementary shaped slot for receiving the planar spigot.  
   
   
       6 . A fencing system according to  claim 5  wherein the male formation is provided with a resilient portion extending out of its plane for providing a clip lock, the arrangement being such that the portion is forced into the plane when the planar spigot is inserted into the slot and further such that the resilient portion deforms out of the plane after insertion, to restrict withdrawal of the male formation.  
   
   
       7 . A fencing system according to  claim 1 , wherein the male formation of the second connecting means comprises a portion of the bearer deformed out of its plane, and wherein the female formation of the second connecting means comprises a complementary shaped opening for receiving the male portion defined by the upright, the arrangement being such that the male formation is inserted into the opening and deformed to restrict withdrawal of the male formation and the arrangement being further such that the male formation is obscured by the upright.  
   
   
       8 . A fencing system according to  claim 4  which includes a carrier for electrified conductors and a third connecting means for connecting the carrier to the post.  
   
   
       9 . A fencing system according to  claim 8  wherein the carrier is of sheet material and defines connecting means in the form of a slot through which the male formation of the bearer extend, in addition to extending through the female formation in the post, the arrangement being such that the carrier is trapped between the end of the bearer and the post.  
   
   
       10 . A fencing system according to  claim 9  wherein the carrier is further provided with a connecting formation for connecting to an insulator for carrying the electrified conductors.  
   
   
       11 . A fencing system according to  claim 10  wherein the post is provided with a fourth connecting means for connecting to a supporting insulator for supporting said electrified conductor.  
   
   
       12 . A fencing system according to  claim 11  wherein the fourth connecting means is in the form of an opening in the post and the supporting insulator is provided with a resilient clip device which is inserted and retained in the opening.  
   
   
       13 . A fencing system according to any one of the  claim 1  comprising a plurality of the said posts, bearers and uprights that are connected to each other.  
   
   
       14 . A fencing system according to any one of the  claim 1  wherein the posts and bearers define conduits for receiving electrical cables for lighting.  
   
   
       15 . A fencing system according to  claim 14  wherein each post is in the form of a first elongate channel formation which is provided with a cover for closing the channel formation.  
   
   
       16 . A method of constructing a fence, including the steps of providing a fencing system according to  claim 7;  securing the posts in parallel extending spaced apart upright position; connecting the bearers to the posts in spaced apart horizontally extending condition by inserting the male formations into the female formations and deforming either the male or female formations; and connecting a plurality of uprights to the bearers in spaced apart parallel extending position by inserting the male formations into the female formations and deforming either the male or the female formations.  
   
   
       17 . A method of constructing a fence according to  claim 16  which includes the further steps of securing the carriers to the posts and securing the insulators and supporting insulators to the carriers and the posts respectively.  
   
   
       18 . A method of constructing a fence according to  claim 17  which includes the further steps of connecting electrified conductors to the insulators and the supporting insulators respectively.  
   
   
       19 . A method of constructing a fence according to  claim 18  which includes the further step of disposing insulated electrical conductors along the inside of the posts and the bearers.  
   
   
       20 . (canceled)  
   
   
       21 . (canceled)