Fastening device for attaching a flexible material to a structure

Abstract

A fastening system 60 for fastening a flexible web material, such as shade cloth, to a structure comprises an elongate fastening member 62 having a substantially cylindrical portion 64. The substantially cylindrical portion 64 is mounted spaced apart from a surface of the structure to facilitate securing of the flexible web material to the fastening member. The space between the substantially cylindrical portion 64 and the surface of the structure is filled with a skirt 72. A retaining member 74 is positioned over the substantially cylindrical portion 64 for securing the flexible web material on the fastening member 62. The fastening system allows for easy replacement of damaged or worn shade cloth, and allows for re-use of the existing fastening system for positioning of new shade cloth.

1 . A fastening device for fastening a flexible material to a structure, the fastening device comprising an elongate cylindrical fastening member having a plurality of indentations at spaced apart intervals along the length of the fastening member, the indentations being adapted for securing the fastening member to the structure so that in use the fastening member is spaced apart from the structure to allow for securing of the flexible material. 
   
   
       2 . A fastening device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein each indentation comprises at least one aperture through which a securing means such as a screw, bolt, or nail may be positioned for securing the fastening member to the structure. 
   
   
       3 . A fastening device as defined in  claim 1  or  claim 2 , wherein the elongate cylindrical fastening member is a hollow tubular member. 
   
   
       4 . A fastening device as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening device further comprises a retaining member adapted for positioning over the fastening member to retain the flexible material in engagement with the fastening member. 
   
   
       5 . A fastening device as defined in  claim 4 , wherein the retaining member is adapted to snap-fit over the fastening member for ease of installation. 
   
   
       6 . A fastening device as defined in  claim 5 , wherein the retaining member is an elongate tubular member having an opening along its length. 
   
   
       7 . A fastening device as defined in  claim 6 , wherein the retaining member is of generally C-shaped cross-section. 
   
   
       8 . A fastening device as defined in  claim 6  or  claim 7 , wherein the internal diameter of the retaining member generally corresponds to the external diameter of the elongate cylindrical fastening member. 
   
   
       9 . A fastening device as defined in  claim 7 , wherein the retaining member is preferably further provided with a pair of opposing flanges which protrude either side of the opening. 
   
   
       10 . A fastening device as defined in  claim 9 , wherein the flanges assist in ensuring that the flexible material is held securely against the fastening member. 
   
   
       11 . A fastening system for fastening a flexible web material to a structure, the fastening system comprising:
 an elongate fastening member having a substantially cylindrical portion and having means for attaching the fastening member to the structure so that in use the flexible web material can be fastened to the substantially cylindrical portion of the fastening member; and,   a retaining member adapted for positioning over the substantially cylindrical portion of the fastening member with the flexible web material there between whereby the flexible web material is securely retained on the fastening member.   
   
   
       12 . A fastening system as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the means for attaching the fastening member to the structure is in the form of a plurality of indentations provided at spaced apart intervals along the length of the fastening member. 
   
   
       13 . A fastening system as defined in  claim 12 , wherein each indentation comprises at least one aperture through which a securing means such as a screw, bolt, rivet, or nail may be positioned for securing the fastening member to the structure. 
   
   
       14 . A fastening system as defined in anyone of  claims 11  to  13 , wherein the fastening member is one of a plurality of fastening members joined end to end. 
   
   
       15 . A fastening system as defined in  claim 14 , wherein each fastening member is joined to an adjacent fastening member by means of a tongue and groove joint. 
   
   
       16 . A fastening system as defined in any one of  claims 11  to  15 , wherein the substantially cylindrical portion of the fastening member is of generally circular cross-section. 
   
   
       17 . A fastening system as defined in any one of  claims 11  to  16 , wherein the substantially cylindrical portion of the fastening member is supported spaced apart from a surface of the structure to facilitate securing of the flexible web material to the fastening member. 
   
   
       18 . A fastening system as defined in  claim 17 , wherein the space between the substantially cylindrical portion of the fastening member and the surface of the structure is filled with a skirt. 
   
   
       19 . A fastening system as defined in  claim 18 , wherein the provision of the skirt ensures a substantially airtight seal is formed between the fastening member and the surface of the structure, when the fastening member is secured to the structure. 
   
   
       20 . A fastening system as defined in any one of  claims 11  to  19 , wherein the retaining member is an elongate retaining member that extends substantially the full length of the fastening member. 
   
   
       21 . A fastening system as defined in any one of  claims 11  to  20 , wherein the retaining member is adapted to snap-fit over the fastening member for ease of installation. 
   
   
       22 . A fastening system as defined in any one of  claims 11  to  21 , wherein the retaining member is an elongate sleeve member having an elongate opening along its length. 
   
   
       23 . A fastening system as defined in  claim 22 , wherein the retaining member is of generally C-shaped cross-section. 
   
   
       24 . A fastening system as defined in  claim 23 , wherein the internal diameter of the retaining member generally corresponds to the external diameter of the substantially cylindrical fastening member. 
   
   
       25 . A fastening system as defined in  claim 23 , wherein the retaining member is further provided with a pair of opposing flanges which protrude on either side of the opening. 
   
   
       26 . A fastening system as defined in  claim 25 , wherein the flanges assist in ensuring that the flexible web material is held securely against the fastening member and also assist in ease of removal of the retaining member from the fastening member. 
   
   
       27 . A fastening system as defined in any one of  claims 11  to  26 , wherein the flexible web material is a netting material, plastic sheet, mesh or a mesh-like fabric. 
   
   
       28 . A fastening system as defined in  claim 27 , wherein the mesh-like fabric is shade cloth or similar material used to provide at least partial protection from the sun and weather conditions. 
   
   
       29 . A fastening system as defined in any one of  claims 11  to  28 , wherein the flexible web material is fitted to a structure such as a support post or beam of a shade house, agricultural tunnel house, pergola or scaffolding. 
   
   
       30 . A fastening system as defined in any one of  claims 11  to  29 , wherein the system further comprises a securing means for securing the fastening member to the structure. 
   
   
       31 . A fastening system as defined in  claim 30 , wherein the securing means comprises one or more screws, nails, rivet, or bolts. 
   
   
       32 . A fastening device for fastening a flexible web material to a structure, the fastening device comprising:
 an elongate fastening member having a substantially cylindrical portion and having means for attaching the fastening member to the structure so that in use the flexible web material can be fastened to the substantially cylindrical portion of the fastening member.   
   
   
       33 . A fastening device according to  claim 32 , wherein the substantially cylindrical portion of the fastening member is supported spaced apart from a surface of the structure to facilitate securing of the flexible web material to the fastening member. 
   
   
       34 . A fender system for protecting a surface of a structure, the fender system comprising:
 an elongate fastening member having a substantially cylindrical portion and having means for securing the fastening member to the structure; and,   a fender member adapted for positioning over the substantially cylindrical portion of the fastening member so as to provide protection from objects that bump against the structure.   
   
   
       35 . A fender system as defined in  claim 34 , wherein the fender member is made from a resilient cushioning material so as to provide a cushioning effect when objects bump against the structure. 
   
   
       36 . A fastening device for fastening a flexible material to a structure substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 12  of the accompanying drawings. 
   
   
       37 . A fastening system for fastening a flexible material to a structure substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 12  of the accompanying drawings. 
   
   
       38 . A fender system for protecting a surface of a structure substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in  FIG. 13  the accompanying drawings.