Post Assembly

Abstract

A post assembly, particularly for transparent glass or plastic fence barriers, the assembly including at least one post a having at least one opening and at least one locking member having an attachment means to attach the locking member relative to the at least one opening in the at least one post and an opening for receiving and securing a fence barrier member therein.

1 . A post assembly, particularly for transparent glass or plastic fence barriers, the assembly including at least one post having at least one elongate opening and at least one removable elongate locking member with an at least partially rigid body portion and having
 a. an attachment means to attach the locking member relative to the at least one elongate opening in the at least one post;   b. an opening for receiving a fence barrier member therein; and   c. resilient locking means located at least partially within the opening in the at least one locking member for securing the fence barrier relative to the locking member via friction lock.   
   
   
       2 . A post assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the at least one elongate opening is a channel including a pair of spaced apart side walls joined by a base wall, the channel adapted to receive an edge of a planar fence panel. 
   
   
       3 . A post assembly according to  claim 2  wherein each side wall of the channel is provided with at least one transversely extending locking portion which suitably extends at least partially into the at least one opening. 
   
   
       4 . A post assembly according to  claim 3  wherein the locking portions are provided in pairs on opposite side walls. 
   
   
       5 . A post assembly according to  claim 2  also including a pair of locating extensions adjacent an outer end of each of the side walls to assist with the location of a spacing member in the channel. 
   
   
       6 . A post assembly according to  claim 1  further including at least one planar portion formed in the perimeter of the post. 
   
   
       7 . A post assembly according to  claim 1  further including at least one spacing member, shaped to be fitted into and be secured in the at least one elongate opening in the post. 
   
   
       8 . A post assembly according to  claim 7  wherein the spacing member is adapted to form a flush fit with the perimeter of the post. 
   
   
       9 . A post assembly according to  claim 7  wherein the spacing member is a substantially U-shaped member in cross-section, having an arcuate base wall from which extends a pair of spaced apart, planar side walls, the side walls each having a free end. 
   
   
       10 . A post assembly according to  claim 9  wherein each side wall has a wedge-shaped extension located at or closely spaced from the free end of the side wall to act as locking tabs to maintain the spacing member in position in the channel. 
   
   
       11 . A post assembly according to  claim 9  further including at least one arm member extending from the base portion in the same direction as the side walls, from between the side walls. 
   
   
       12 . A post assembly according to  claims 6 , further including at least one cover member adapted to be secured relative to the planar portion of the gate post to form a flush fit with the perimeter of the post. 
   
   
       13 . A post assembly according to  claim 12  wherein the cover member has a cutaway portion to allow a hinge to open and close through the cover member when in position. 
   
   
       14 . A post assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the post has more than one opening spaced radially about the post. 
   
   
       15 . A post assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the locking member is a substantially U-shaped member in cross-section having a base wall from which extends a pair of spaced apart, planar side walls, the side walls each having a free end, defining a channel in the locking member between the sidewalls. 
   
   
       16 . A post assembly according to  claim 15  wherein the locking member includes at least one locking tab extending outwardly from each sidewall to engage with the at least one opening in the post. 
   
   
       17 . A post assembly according to  claim 15  wherein each locking member includes clamping or gripping means to engage with the fence barrier member. 
   
   
       18 . A post assembly according to  claim 17  wherein the clamping or gripping means is located in the channel of the locking member and includes a resilient portion which stands proud of a surface of the sidewall of the locking member. 
   
   
       19 . A post assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the locking member is forcibly driven into the opening in the post after insertion of an edge of a fence barrier panel to engage both the post and the fence barrier panel.