Fence bracket and fence bracket system

Abstract

A fence bracket ( 10 ), a fence bracket system, a kit of parts. a fence assembly and a method of manufacturing a fence bracket are described. The fence bracket ( 10 ) is suitable for use with a fence panel. The fence bracket has a body ( 12 ) having a base ( 14 ), a front wall ( 20 ). a first side wall ( 16 ) and a second side wall ( 18 ): and a support ( 22 ). The support ( 22 ) is provided on the front wall ( 20 ). The support ( 22 ) is configured to connect to a fence post. The front wall ( 20 ) has a region comprising an aperture ( 30 ) suitable for receiving an ancillary component ( 70 ).

1 .- 34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . A fence post support bracket ( 10 ) comprising:
 a body ( 12 ) having a base ( 14 ), a front wall ( 20 ), a first side wall ( 16 ) and a second side wall ( 18 ); and   at least one support ( 22 );   wherein:   the support ( 22 ) is configured to connect to a fence post and provided on a first side of the front wall ( 20 );   the base ( 14 ) comprises an opening ( 32 ) for a ground screw ( 40 ) and is provided on a second side of the front wall, opposite the first side; and,   the bracket has a region comprising an aperture ( 30 ) suitable for receiving an ancillary component ( 70 ).   
     
     
         36 . A fence post support bracket ( 10 ) according to  claim 35 , wherein the support ( 22 ) is a first support ( 22 ), and the bracket comprises a second support ( 24 ) configured to connect to a first and second respective fence posts and being provided on the first side of the front wall ( 20 ). 
     
     
         37 . A fence post support bracket ( 10 ) according to claim  2 , wherein the region comprising the aperture is disposed between the first support and the second support. 
     
     
         38 . A fence post support bracket ( 10 ) according to  claim 35 , wherein the front wall comprises the region comprising the aperture ( 30 ). 
     
     
         39 . The fence bracket ( 10 ) of  claim 38 , wherein the region comprising the aperture comprises a tab ( 28 ) extending from the front wall ( 20 ). 
     
     
         40 . The fence bracket ( 10 ) of  claim 39 , wherein a portion ( 29 ) of the tab ( 28 ) is bent such  20  that the portion ( 29 ) extends substantially perpendicularly from the front wall ( 20 ). 
     
     
         41 . The fence bracket ( 10 ) of  claim 35 , wherein the body ( 12 ) further comprises an ancillary support ( 26 ) connected to the base ( 14 ) and/or front wall ( 20 ) wherein the ancillary support ( 26 ) is suitable to receive an ancillary support component. 
     
     
         42 . The fence bracket ( 10 ) of  claim 35 , wherein the base ( 14 ) further comprises at least one hole ( 34 ) suitable for receiving an anchor bolt for fixing the fence bracket ( 10 ) to hardstanding or hard ground. 
     
     
         43 . The fence bracket ( 10 ) of  claim 36 , wherein the aperture ( 30 ) has an axis (A 1 ) that is parallel to an axis (A 2 ) of the first fence support ( 22 ) and parallel to an axis (A 3 ) of the second fence support ( 24 ). 
     
     
         44 . The fence bracket ( 10 ) of  claim 43 , wherein the axes (Al), (A 2 ), (A 3 ) are coplanar. 
     
     
         45 . The fence bracket ( 10 ) of  claim 36 , wherein the supports ( 22 ,  24 ) are suitable for mating with a fence post in sliding engagement. 
     
     
         46 . The fence bracket ( 10 ) of  claim 45 , wherein the supports ( 22 ,  24 ) are tubes suitable for receiving a fence post. 
     
     
         47 . The fence bracket ( 10 ) of  claim 46 , wherein the first and second supports ( 22 ,  24 ) are configured such that in use the fence posts are uncovered over a distance (D 3 ) between the bottom of the first and second supports ( 22 ,  24 ) and the ground to enable said fence posts to be fastened together with a fastener ( 50 ). 
     
     
         48 . The fence bracket ( 10 ) of  claim 39 , wherein a top surface of the first and second fence post supports ( 22 ,  24 ) is below the tab ( 28 ) such that in use the fence posts received by the first and second supports ( 22 ,  24 ) are uncovered enabling said fence posts to be fastened together with a fastener ( 50 ) such that pulling upward engages the fastener ( 50 ) with the tab ( 28 ) preventing fence post removal. 
     
     
         49 . An assembly of a fence bracket ( 10 ) according to  claim 35  and a ground screw ( 40 ) engaged in the opening ( 32 ). 
     
     
         50 . A fence bracket system ( 100 ) comprising:
 a fence bracket ( 10 ) according to  claim 35 ; and   further comprising at least one ancillary component ( 110 ).   
     
     
         51 . The fence bracket system ( 100 ) of  claim 50 , wherein the at least one ancillary component ( 110 ) is at least one of:
 an arm ( 70 ); and/or   a fastener ( 50 ) and/or   a levelling device.   
     
     
         52 . The fence bracket system ( 100 ) of  claim 51 , wherein the fence bracket system ( 100 ) further comprises an ancillary support component ( 120 ); wherein the ancillary support component ( 120 ) is one of:
 a stabilizer; or   a brace; or   a camera pole; or   a solar light; or   a flag pole; or   a fixture.   
     
     
         53 . A kit of parts comprising the components of the fence bracket system of  claim 50 . 
     
     
         54 . A fence assembly comprising:
 a fence bracket system of  claim 52 ; and   at least one fence post and associated fence panel.