Demountable enclosures

Abstract

An end section for a rail which is engageable with a post having a slot. The end section is so arranged that in one orientation the end section is releasable from a slot of the post, and when rotated to a second orientation, the end section is in a locked position and cannot be released from the slot of the post. The end section may be fastened, or otherwise attached to a rail and used in a demountable enclosure or support structure having at least two posts. Each post of the demountable enclosure or support structure has at least one slot for receiving a rail and the at least one rail is releasably mountable between an adjacent pair of the posts. The end section of the rail is engageable in a slot provided in one of the adjacent posts, and each slot is complementary, at least in part, to the end section of a rail. Each rail, when mounted to an adjacent post, is moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position by rotation of the respective rail.

1 . An end section for a rail, the end section being engageable with a post having a slot, the end section being so arranged that in one orientation the end section is releasable from a slot of the post; and when rotated to a second orientation, the end section is in a locked position and cannot be released from the slot of the post. 
     
     
         2 . The end section of  claim 2 , wherein the end section is integrally formed with the rail, or manufactured as a separate piece and welded, or otherwise fastened, to one end the rail. 
     
     
         3 . A demountable enclosure or support structure, including:
 at least two posts, each post having at least one slot for receiving a rail;   at least one rail releasably mountable between an adjacent pair of the posts, each rail including an end section which is engageable in a slot provided in one of the adjacent posts;   wherein each slot is complementary, at least in part, to the end section of a rail; and wherein each rail, when mounted to an adjacent post, is moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position by rotation of the respective rail.   
     
     
         4 . The demountable enclosure or support structure of  claim 3 , wherein each rail has a body interconnecting respective end sections, each end section having a neck and a head. 
     
     
         5 . The demountable enclosure or support structure of  claim 4 , wherein the shape of the head is complementary, at least in part, to the shape of a slot in each post, such that the head is receivable in the slot when the rail is in the unlocked position. 
     
     
         6 . The demountable enclosure or support structure of  claim 4 , wherein the head cannot be withdrawn from the slot when the rail is in the locked position. 
     
     
         7 . The demountable enclosure or support structure of  claim 3 , wherein the rail is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position by rotational and translational movement of the rail. 
     
     
         8 . The demountable enclosure or support structure of  claim 3 , wherein each slot has an enlarged portion above an elongated portion. 
     
     
         9 . The demountable enclosure or support structure of  claim 8 , wherein the shape of the head is complementary to the enlarged portion of the slot, and wherein the head is of greater width than the elongated portion of the slot. 
     
     
         10 . The demountable enclosure or support structure of  claim 8  or  claim 9 , wherein the enlarged portion of the slot has a planar section at the top. 
     
     
         11 . The demountable enclosure or support structure of  claim 4 , wherein the head is substantially circular with a planar top. 
     
     
         12 . The demountable enclosure or support structure of  claim 10 , wherein the planar top of the head corresponds to the planar section in the enlarged portion of the slot. 
     
     
         13 . The demountable enclosure or support structure of  claim 8 , wherein the width of the neck is less than the width of the elongated portion of the slot. 
     
     
         14 . The demountable enclosure or support structure of  claim 8 , wherein the length of the neck is greater than the width of the elongated portion of the slot. 
     
     
         15 . The demountable enclosure or support structure of  claim 3 , wherein each slot is substantially keyhole shaped. 
     
     
         16 . The demountable enclosure or support structure of  claim 4 , wherein the end section of the rail is receivable in the body of the rail. 
     
     
         17 . The demountable enclosure or support structure of  claim 16 , wherein, when the body of the rail is pushed over the end section, the body abuts a flange on the end section. 
     
     
         18 . The demountable enclosure or support structure of  claim 3 , wherein the end section includes an aperture which corresponds with an aperture in the body of the rail, for securing the end section to the body of the rail. 
     
     
         19 . The demountable enclosure or support structure of  claim 3 , wherein the end sections of each rail are substantially circular or substantially square in shape. 
     
     
         20 . The demountable enclosure or support structure of  claim 3 , wherein each post has one or more slots on one or more sides for connecting multiple rails. 
     
     
         21 . The demountable enclosure or support structure of  claim 3 , wherein each rail is telescopic, or otherwise adjustable, in length. 
     
     
         22 . A method of connecting a rail to a post, including the steps of:
 inserting an end section of a rail into a slot in a post; and   rotating and lowering the rail, such that the end section is in a locked position;   wherein the rail cannot be released from the post when in the locked position; and wherein the rail can be moved to an unlocked position and thereby released from the post by raising and rotating the rail.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the rail is moved into the locked position by rotating the rail through 180 degrees, before lowering the rail; and wherein the rail is moved into the unlocked position by rotating the rail through 180 degrees before raising the rail.