Fence assembly

Abstract

A fence assembly is described comprising: a first fence panel provided with an elongate first post member along an edge margin of the panel; a second fence panel provided with an elongate second post member provided along an edge margin of the panel; the first and second post members being adapted to be displaced lengthwise with respect to one another to provide for a range of displaced positions or being adapted to be rotated with respect to one another to provide for a range of rotated positions and to be attached in fixed association with one another in any one of the range of displaced or rotated positions respectively; and wherein each fence panel further includes at least one fence rail, each fence rail is adapted to be fixed in any one of a range of angular positions relative to the fence post.

1 . A fence assembly comprising:
 a first fence panel provided with an elongate first post member along an edge margin of the panel;   a second fence panel provided with an elongate second post member provided along an edge margin of the panel;   the first and second post members being adapted to be displaced lengthwise with respect to one another to provide for a range of displaced positions or being adapted to be rotated with respect to one another to provide for a range of rotated positions and to be attached in fixed association with one another in any one of the range of displaced or rotated positions respectively; and   wherein each fence panel further includes at least one fence rail, each fence rail is adapted to be fixed in any one of a range of angular positions relative to the fence post.   
   
   
       2 . A fence assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the post members are attached in fixed association by way of at least one slot provided on each of the members and a fastener passing through both slots. 
   
   
       3 . A fence assembly according to either  claim 1  wherein the post members are attached in fixed association by way of a series of slots. 
   
   
       4 . A fence assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the upper ends of the first and second post member have pointed ends. 
   
   
       5 . A fence assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the first and second post members are of identical construction. 
   
   
       6 . A fence assembly according to  claim 6  wherein the range of angular positions extends for 20 degrees on either side of being perpendicular. 
   
   
       7 . A fence assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the first and second post members each include a flange portion for fixedly securing the post members together; the panels may be rotated with respect to one another and fixed together by way of the flange portions of their respective posts in any one of the range of relative rotational positions. 
   
   
       8 . A fence assembly according to  claim 7  wherein the flange portions are curved. 
   
   
       9 . A fence assembly according to  claim 7  wherein the range of rotational positions extends from the panels being aligned in a straight line, to being rotated by 90 degrees with respect to one another. 
   
   
       10 . A fence assembly according to  claim 1  wherein at least one of the first and second post members has a rail attachment portion which includes a first post aperture and a second post aperture;
 and the corresponding fence rail has a post attachment portion which includes a first rail aperture and a second rail aperture;   the first post aperture and the first rail aperture are of substantially equal dimensions; and   one of the second post aperture and the second rail aperture is in the form of an elongate slot.   
   
   
       11 . A fence assembly according to  claim 10  wherein the first post aperture and first rail aperture are circular holes of a particular diameter and the other of the second post aperture and the second rail aperture is a circular hole of a larger diameter. 
   
   
       12 . A fence assembly according to  claim 1  further including a fastener, the fastener comprising:
 an enlarged head portion;   a shank extending from the head portion;   the shank having a gripping portion for gripping and rotating the fastener, and   the shank further including a threaded section disposed between the gripping portion and the head portion, the gripping portion being adapted to separate from the fastener at a predetermined shear force.   
   
   
       13 . A fence assembly according to  claim 12  wherein the fastener further includes a nut. 
   
   
       14 . A fence assembly according to  claim 13  wherein the nut includes opposed flat edges. 
   
   
       15 . A fence assembly according to  claim 13  wherein in use, following shearing of the gripping portion, the shank terminates substantially flush with the outer surface of the nut. 
   
   
       16 . A fence assembly according to  claim 12  wherein the fastener further includes a washer. 
   
   
       17 . A fence assembly according to  claim 16  wherein the washer includes opposed flat edges. 
   
   
       18 . A fence panel assembly comprising:
 at least one fence post having a rail attachment portion which includes a first post aperture and a second post aperture;   at least one fence rail having a post attachment portion which includes a first rail aperture and a second rail aperture;   the first post aperture and the first rail aperture are of substantially equal dimensions; and   one of the second post aperture and the second rail aperture is in the form of an elongate slot.   
   
   
       19 . A fence assembly according to  claim 18  wherein the first post aperture and first rail aperture are circular holes of a particular diameter and the other of the second post aperture and the second rail aperture is a circular hole of a larger diameter. 
   
   
       20 . A fence assembly comprising:
 a first fence panel provided with an elongate first post member along an edge margin of the panel;   a second fence panel provided with an elongate second post member provided along an edge margin of the panel;   the first and second post members being adapted to be displaced lengthwise with respect to one another to provide for a range of displaced positions and being adapted to be rotated with respect to one another to provide for a range of rotated positions and to be attached in fixed association with one another in any one of the range of displaced or rotated positions respectively.