Further improvements in and relating to fencing

Abstract

This invention relates to fence, or preassembled fence section, comprising a plurality of upright elements spanning at least two rails, the arrangement being such that the upright elements are positioned within apertures in said rails, and there being inserts interacting between a said rail and an upright member to maintain the relative disposition of same.

1 . A fence, or preassembled fence section, comprising a plurality of upright elements spanning at least two rails, the arrangement being such that the upright elements are positioned within apertures in said rails, and there being inserts interacting between a said rail and an upright member to maintain the relative disposition of same.  
     
     
         2 . A fence, or preassembled fence section, as claimed in  claim 1 , in which there are at least two types of inserts used for interacting between a rail and upright member.  
     
     
         3 . A fence, or preassembled fence section, as claimed in  claim 1 , in which a said insert is positioned within the apertures in a rial and lock in place with respect to same so as to resist easy withdrawal in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of an inserted portion of an upright element.  
     
     
         4 . A fence, or preassembled fence section, as claimed in  claim 3 , in which there is an interlocking relationship between a said insert and a rail with which it interacts.  
     
     
         5 . A fence, or preassembled fence section, as claimed in  claim 4 , in which said insert interlocks with and is retained by the rail by at least one of the following methods: 
 a) there is one or more retractable, compressible, or deformable arms or barbs which, once the inert is positioned, splay outwardly and resist withdrawal of the insert;    b) a keyed relationship between insert and rail; and    c) at least part of the insert being compressible and/or deformable and including a locating groove or recess for accommodating part of said rail.    
     
     
         6 . A fence, or preassembled fence section, as claimed in  claim 4 , in which an insert interlocks with and is retained by the rail by a clipping arrangement involving a separate retaining member interacting with either or both the insert and rail.  
     
     
         7 . A fence, or preassembled fence section, as claimed in  claim 6 , in which said retaining member interacts with and retains a plurality of inserts, and their associated upright elements.  
     
     
         8 . A fence, or preassembled fence section, as claimed in  claim 3 , in which a said insert presents, to the upright element, a sleeve or collar portion whose internal diameter and shape is commensurate to the external diameter and shape of the inserted portion of said upright element.  
     
     
         9 . A fence, or preassembled fence section, as claimed in  claim 3 , in which there is an interlocking relationship between an insert and its associated upright element.  
     
     
         10 . A fence, or preassembled fence section, as claimed in  claim 9 , in which said interlocking relationship between a rail and its associated upright member comprises a method in which: 
 a) there is one or more retractable, compressible, or deformable arms or barbs provided on the upright member which, once the upright element is positioned, play outwardly and resist withdrawal of the insert.    
     
     
         11 . A fence, or preassembled fence section, as claimed in  claim 9 , in which said interlocking relationship between a rail and its associated upright member comprises at least one of the following methods: 
 a) a portion of the upright member including a locating groove or recess for accommodating a feature on said insert; and    b) a portion of the insert including a locating groove or recess for accommodating a feature on said insert.    
     
     
         12 . A fence, or preassembled fence section, as claimed in  claim 9 , in which at least a portion of said insert is deformable or compressible in order to allow the feature, and groove or recess, to engage during assembly.  
     
     
         13 . A fence, or preassembled fence section, as claimed in  claim 9 , in which said interlocking relationship between a rail and its associated upright element comprises a keyed relationship between the upright member and the insert with which it is associated.  
     
     
         14 . A fence, or preassembled fence section, as claimed in  claim 13 , in which the keyed relationship comprises an insert and rotate arrangement.  
     
     
         15 . A fence, or preassembled fence section, as claimed in  claim 14 , in which there is a locking portion such that once rotated into position, the inserted upright element cannot be readily reversibly rotated for release.  
     
     
         16 . A fence, or preassembled fence section, as claimed in  claim 15 , in which a said locking portion comprises a compressible, movable, or resiliently deformable feature which allows the other of the insert or upright element to pass by, during insertion, until a complementary portion on the other is encountered and engaged.  
     
     
         17 . A fence, or preassembled fence section, as claimed in  claim 3 , in which an insert, or a portion thereof, is of a rigid material having at least a small amount of resilience.  
     
     
         18 . A fence, or preassembled fence section, as claimed in  claim 3 , in which an insert allows an inserted upright element to be oriented at least a small angle from the perpendicular to the rail.  
     
     
         19 . A fence, or preassembled fence section, as claimed in  claim 18 , in which the small angle is ±30° from the perpendicular.  
     
     
         20 . A fence, or preassembled fence section, as claimed in  claim 18 , in which the small angle is ±15° from the perpendicular.  
     
     
         21 . A fence, or preassembled fence section, as claimed in  claim 3 , in which an inserted upright element passes entirely through said rail.  
     
     
         22 . A fence, or preassembled fence section, as claimed in  claim 3 , in which said rails are attached, or adapted to interact with, substantially upright posts or anchor points for support.  
     
     
         23 . A fence, or preassembled fence section, as claimed in  claim 22 , in which said rails are positioned within apertures in said posts or anchor points.  
     
     
         24 . A fence, or preassembled fence section, as claimed in either  claim 22 , in which a rail insert is positioned between a said rail and post/anchor combination.  
     
     
         25 . A fence, or preassembled fence section, as claimed in  claim 3 , in which either or both a rail or upright element comprises metal construction.  
     
     
         26 . A fence, or preassembled fence section, as claimed in  claim 25 , in which the metal is aluminum, an aluminum alloy, iron, or an alloy of iron.  
     
     
         27 . A fence, or preassembled fence section, as claimed in  claim 3 , in which an insert comprises a plastic material.  
     
     
         28 . A fence comprising a plurality of upright aluminum or steel elements, said elements being connected to substantially perpendicular steel or aluminum rails by means of inserts which are at least partially formed of a plastic material, the rails being secured to posts or other suitable anchor points.  
     
     
         29 . A method of fence construction comprising the provision or rails of apertures of a size and configuration to accept an insert, securing said rails to posts or anchor points, and including the substantially perpendicular and/or upright placement of upright elements in the apertures of said rails such that an insert is intermediary a rail and upright element, and ensuring the upright elements are resistant to ready withdrawal from said rails.