Fence

Abstract

A fence panel comprises a plurality of upright members, and at least one rail connected to each of said upright members, wherein the at least one rail comprises an external casing defining a rail channel and comprising at least one aperture, wherein each of the upright members extends through an aperture into the rail channel, a first plastic insert that extends along at least part of the length of the rail channel and is at least partly enclosed by the external casing, wherein the first plastic insert comprises a plurality of openings, a plurality of pins, wherein each pin extends through an opening in a first plastic insert to rotatably connect the upright members to the first plastic insert, and a second plastic insert that extends along at least part of the length of the rail channel and is at least partly enclosed by the external casing, wherein the second plastic insert is positioned on the side of the plurality of upright members opposite to the first plastic insert.

1 . A fence panel comprising:
 a plurality of upright members; and   at least one rail, each of the one or more rails connected to each of said upright members, wherein the at least one rail comprises:   an external casing defining a rail channel and comprising at least one aperture, wherein each of the upright members extends through one of the at least one apertures into the rail channel;   a first plastic insert that extends along at least part of the length of the rail channel and is at least partly enclosed by the external casing, wherein the first plastic insert comprises a plurality of openings;   a plurality of pins, wherein each pin extends through one of the openings in the first plastic insert to rotatably connect the upright members to the first plastic insert; and   a second plastic insert that extends along at least part of the length of the rail channel and is at least partly enclosed by the external casing, wherein the second plastic insert is positioned on the side of the plurality of upright members opposite to the first plastic insert, wherein the thickness of the first and second plastic inserts increases along the axis perpendicular to the length of the rail channel, such that the rotation of each of the upright members around the pin in hindered by the first and second plastic insert.   
     
     
         2 . The fence panel of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second plastic inserts are made from a resilient material, optionally wherein the first and second plastic inserts are made from PVC. 
     
     
         3 . The fence panel of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second plastic inserts are different lengths, and optionally wherein the second plastic insert extends substantially the entire length of the rail channel. 
     
     
         4 . The fence panel of  claim 1 , wherein the external casing comprises at least one first aperture and at least one second aperture opposite the at least one first aperture, and wherein each of the upright members extends through a first and second aperture and thereby extends through the rail channel. 
     
     
         5 . The fence panel  claim 1 , wherein the external casing comprises a plurality of apertures such that each upright member extends through a different aperture. 
     
     
         6 . The fence panel  claim 1 , wherein the external casing comprises one aperture extending along at least part of the length thereof, such that all of the upright members extend through the same aperture. 
     
     
         7 . The fence panel  claim 1 , wherein the external casing comprises a lip adjacent to the one or more apertures and extending into the rail channel. 
     
     
         8 . The fence panel according te of  claim 7 , wherein the lip is connected to the lower side of the external casing and is angled towards the inside of the external casing, away from said lower side and partly over said aperture. 
     
     
         9 . The fence panel  claim 1 , wherein the external casing comprises a plurality of protrusions extending into the rail channel, and optionally wherein each protrusion is a different length. 
     
     
         10 . The fence panel according to of  claim 9 , wherein the second plastic insert is in contact with at least one protrusion. 
     
     
         11 . The fence panel of  claim 9 , or wherein the second plastic insert extends between the upper side of the external casing and at least one protrusion. 
     
     
         12 . The fence panel of  claim 9 , wherein the second plastic insert is held in position between at least one protrusion and one of the upright members. 
     
     
         13 . The fence panel  claim 1 , wherein the thicker portions of the first and second plastic inserts are positioned towards the upper side of the external casing, or wherein the thicker portions of the first and second plastic inserts are positioned towards the lower side of the external casing. 
     
     
         14 . The fence panel  claim 1 , wherein each of the upright members comprises an opening, through which one of the pins may extend. 
     
     
         15 . The fence panel  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of pins are irreversibly attached to the upright member, and optionally wherein the pins are irreversibly attached via welding. 
     
     
         16 . The fence panel  claim 1 , wherein the fence panel comprises at least two rails, and optionally wherein the external casing of at least one rail comprises apertures on only one side of said external casing. 
     
     
         17 . The fence panel  claim 1 , wherein the external casing comprises a stopper to hold one of the plastic inserts in position. 
     
     
         18 . A fence comprising:
 at least two adjacent fence posts, and   the fence panel  claim 1 , the fence panel comprising:   a plurality of upright members located between adjacent fence posts; and   at least one rail extending between the adjacent fence posts.   
     
     
         19 . The fence of  claim 18 , wherein the external casing is clamped to at least one of the fence posts and/or wherein the external casing is bolted to at least one of the fence posts. 
     
     
         20 . The fence of  claim 18 , wherein at least one end of at least one of the fence posts is connected to a surface, and optionally wherein the surface is terrain. 
     
     
         21 . A method for assembling the fence panel of  claim 1 , comprising the steps of:
 (a) inserting a pin through a corresponding opening on the first plastic insert, thereby connecting a plurality of upright member to the first plastic insert;   (b) passing the plurality of upright members through the aperture of the external casing, such that the first plastic insert is moved inside the rail channel of the external casing; and   (c) inserting the second plastic insert along the rail channel, between the external casing and the side of the upright member opposite that in contact with the first plastic insert.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein step (a) further includes passing the pin through the opening on the upright member. 
     
     
         23 . A method of installing a fence comprising the steps of:
 (a) installing a first fence post;   (b) attaching the fence panel  claim 1  to the first fence post; and   (c) installing a second fence post and attaching the second fence post to the fence panel, or attaching a second fence post to the fence panel and installing the second fence post.   
     
     
         24 . A method of installing a fence, comprising the steps of:
 (a) installing a first and a second fence post; and   (b) attaching the fence panel  claim 1  to the first and second fence posts.   
     
     
         25 . A kit for assembling the fence of  claim 18 , comprising:
 at least two fence posts;   a plurality of upright members; and   at least one rail, wherein the at least one rail comprises:
 an external casing defining a rail channel and comprising at least one aperture; 
 a first plastic insert capable of extending along at least part of the rail channel, wherein the first plastic insert comprises a plurality of openings; 
 a plurality of pins capable of extending through an opening in the first plastic insert; and 
 a second plastic insert capable of extending along at least part of the length of the rail channel, 
   wherein the thickness of the first and second plastic inserts increases along the axis perpendicular to the length of the rail channel, such that in use, the rotation of each of the upright members around the pin in hindered by a first and second plastic inserts.