Abstract:
A clip ( 10 ) is provided for securing fencing ( 12 ) to a support structure ( 14 ) having at least one vertically extending structure member ( 18 ) with opposed edge surfaces ( 38 ). The clip ( 10 ) includes a main body portion ( 22 ) having a first ( 22   a ) and second ( 22   b ) surface, attachment element ( 14 ) extending from the first surface ( 22   a ) and being adapted for removably engaging to the edge surfaces ( 38 ) of said support structure member ( 18 ), and retaining element ( 26 ) extending from the second surface ( 22   b ) configured for removably supporting the fencing ( 12 ) relative to the support structure ( 14 ).

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    THIS INVENTION relates to a clip, method and system for securing fencing to a support structure, and in particular, but not limited to, a clip, method and system usable in temporary fencing arrangements for securing a barrier netting for fencing to an apertured fence post as the support structure.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Temporary fencing is utilised in a variety of applications, for example including, inter alia, as a barrier within and around work areas in construction sites, as warning fences near excavation sites and road works, as protective fencing for preventing unauthorized entry in developing gardens and areas for vegetation, and for limiting human thoroughfare to erosion-susceptible land areas.  
           [0003]    Typically, fence systems of this nature require assemblage from a multiplicity of component parts which include fencing, fence posts and, optionally, post supports. To facilitate assemblage, various tools may be required along with other articles for coupling the parts together. Labour is a further expenditure in this assembling process.  
           [0004]    Known prior art means and methods for fastening fencing to fence support structures aim to improve ease and expenditure associated with both assemblage and disassemblage of the fence system. These disclosures span the gambit from simple string tying, stapling or tacking together of parts, to more complicated multi-part attachment devices.  
           [0005]    However none of these prior art attempts appear to be adequate solutions, as most commonly, the old problematic method of using string to tie the fencing to the fence posts is resorted to. However this technique is time consuming. Each string piece must be threaded through a fence post aperture and then individually tied to a section of fencing. Moreover, because of the necessary untying, this process is not easily reversible, which is a particular disadvantage in construction applications where the fence must continually be adapted, for example partially disassembled and reassembled to allow for the passage of workmen or for sections to be enlargened and so on to accommodate an evolving construction. A further disadvantage is that sections of the fencing which have been tied in this manner can become worn and unsuitable for reuse.  
           [0006]    It is therefore desirable to provide a means and method to enable a fencing system to be easily assembled and disassembled, which further, requires relatively few parts, accessories or tools to accomplish this, and for the particular means to be reusable and preferably securable to the fencing system when not in use.  
         OBJECT OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a clip, method and system for securing fencing to support structures therefor, which alleviates, at least to some extent, one or more of the aforementioned problems of the prior art.  
         OUTLINE OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    In one aspect therefore the present invention resides in a clip for securing fencing to a support structure having at least one vertically extending structure member with opposed edge surfaces. Said clip includes a main body portion having a first and second surface, attachment means extending from said first surface and being adapted for removably engaging to at least one edge surface of said support structure member, and retaining means extending from said second surface, said retaining means being configured for removably supporting the fencing relative to the support structure.  
           [0009]    In preference, said clip further includes a first bracing means connected between the first surface and the attachment means for providing a bracing support to the attachment means. It may also includes a second bracing means connected between the second surface and the retaining means for providing a bracing support to the retaining means. As such the attachment means and the securing means have a substantially improved structural strength and are thereby substantially stiffened.  
           [0010]    The attachment means of the clip may have an engagement arrangement for removably engaging said at least one edge surface. Preferably, the attachment means further includes securing means for removably securing the engagement arrangement in position relative to the support structure. In one form the engagement arrangement has a recess adapted for receiving said opposed edge surfaces. Suitably the recess is formed between two spaced arms extending from said first surface. The spaced arms can be configured as a bifurcation or other suitable construction to be adapted for press-fitting engagement with the edge surfaces of the support structure member. In one form said first bracing means includes a bracing element connected between each of the spaced arms and the first surface.  
           [0011]    Each said spaced arm may have an area with a reduced thickness and each said bracing element extends from said area to the first surface. The reduced areas allows less material needed for the spaced arms, while the bracing elements provide improved structural strength to the clip.  
           [0012]    In preference, the securing means is arranged to be co-operable with the engagement arrangement for removably fixing the clip in position relative to the support structure. The bifurcation may comprise two web-like extensions with said recess therebetween and having aligned bores therethrough. The aligned bores are suitably adapted to receive the securing means. The securing means is preferably dimensioned for tight-fitting removable containment and retention within the said aligned bores. An appropriate securing means may include an elongate member, suitably in the form of a push pin, which may be detachable connected to the main body portion or, more preferably, integrally formed with a cord-like extension. The cord-like extension can have enlarged sections where it is formed with the elongate member. The enlarged sections allow the securing means to remain attached to the main body portion and the elongate member even after repeatedly use thereof for a substantially longer period. Typically the elongate member is slightly longer than the external dimension between the spaced arms so that a certain length thereof is exposed when fully inserted.  
           [0013]    The retaining means desirably has a support portion upon which the fencing may be supported on, and a retainer portion adapted for restricting movement of the fencing relative to the support structure therefor. The second bracing means may be in the form of a buttress element connected between the second surface and the support portion and/or the retainer portion. A suitable retaining means comprises an upwardly extending support arm for supporting the fencing and a downwardly extending retainer arm for restricting fencing movement.  
           [0014]    In a preferred application of the invention the clip is suited to securing fencing in the form of a lightweight flexible fencing material, to the support structure in the form of rigid fence posts. An ideal fencing material, such as barrier netting, well known and used within the art, is meshed or incorporates a plurality of openings which facilitate attachment to the support structure by use of the retaining means. Appropriate support structures include fence posts and stakes, and most preferably those which include substantially planer cross-sectional edges for receiving the attachment means, and further, have a plurality of vertically spaced apertures for the clip to be secured to the support.  
           [0015]    In a preferred mode of operation, the clip attachment means is removably push-fitted onto an edge surface of the support structure. Said support structure member may have a plurality of spaced apertures. The bores in the respective arm members or web-like extensions are aligned on both sides of the support structure edge surfaces to overlap with a selected aperture thereon to define a channel through the three sections into which the securing means may be inserted. When so positioned, the retaining means should project forwardly from the support for coupling with the fencing. The securing elongate member may then be inserted into the channel to secure the attachment between the clip and support structure. Where the cord extension is incorporated into the clip design it is desirably of sufficient length and flexibility to facilitate free movement of the flange for insertion in either direction through the channel. The fencing is then attached to the support by inserting each of the clip portions through one or more fencing openings.  
           [0016]    Ideally a number of clips may be attached to an individual support structure, suitably at vertically spaced intervals therealong, so as to provide, in particular, multiple points of attachment and support of the fencing. The number of apertures on individual support structures and the number of openings in the fencing should be made sufficient for this purpose.  
           [0017]    According to a preferred application of the present invention there is provided a fencing system including a plurality of spaced vertically positioned support structures, and a horizontally extending fencing body, said system characterised by a support arrangement comprising one or more of the aforementioned clips removably associated with each support structure for removably supporting the said fencing body across the plurality of support structures.  
         PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
         [0018]    In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a non-limiting preferred embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]    [0019]FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view illustrating the clip according to one exemplary embodiment of the invention securing barrier netting to a fence pos;.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional top plan view of the clip, barrier netting and fence post arrangement illustrated in FIG. 1;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIGS. 3 and 4 are different perspective views of the clip in accordance with the invention;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view of the clip in accordance with the invention (securing means not shown);  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 6 is an enlarged end view of the clip in accordance with the invention (securing means not shown);  
         [0024]    [0024]FIGS. 7 and 8 are perspective views of the clip in accordance with another embodiment of the present the invention;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 9 is an enlarged side view of the clip shown in FIGS. 7 and 8;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 10 is an enlarged end view of the clip shown in FIGS. 7 and 8; and  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 11 is an enlarged graphic illustration showing fencing system using clips in accordance with the invention 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS  
       [0028]    Referring to the drawings and initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, a clip  10  according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated for securing a section of horizontally extending fencing  12  to a normally vertically orientated support structure  14  therefor.  
         [0029]    The fencing  12 , shown here in the form of barrier netting  12 , is typically constructed of a flexible plastic material and has an array of openings  16  by which the fencing is securable.  
         [0030]    The support structure  14  as shown is in the form of a fence post(s). The fence post(s) is referred to specifically as a “star post” by trades persons. It has characteristically three distinct panel or surface sections  18 . The post  14  further includes a number of vertically spaced apertures  20  which are located along the length of each of the panels  18 .  
         [0031]    As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the clip  10 , constructed fully or predominantly from a plastic material, comprises a main body portion  22  in the form of a circular plate, having a first and second surface,  22   a  and  22   b  respectively, with attachment means in the form of a bifurcation  24  extending from the said first surface  22   a , retaining means comprising a bracket assembly  26  extending from the said second surface, and securing means in the form of a push pin  28  shown here attached to a side surface  30  of the plate  22  by a flexible cord-like extension  32 .  
         [0032]    The bifurcated attachment means  24  is formed by two spaced opposed web-like extensions  34   a  and  34   b  having aligned bores  36   a  and  36   b , respectively, therethrough. These extensions define a recess therebetween and are designed for receiving one of the panels  18  and for press-fitting engagement of the clip  10  to edge surfaces  38  of the panel  18  in the recess (refer back to FIGS. 1 and 2). The clip is somewhat slidable in this position so that it can be located with the respective extension bores  36   a  and  36   b  aligned over a fence post aperture  20  to form a channel  40 .  
         [0033]    As these figures show, the clip bracket assembly  26  has a single, substantially curve-shaped, upwardly extending support arm  42 , and a single, substantially curve-shaped, downwardly extending retainer arm  44 , extending from the plate&#39;s second surface  22   b . With reference also to FIGS.  3  to  6 , the distance  46  between the points of attachment of the distinct arm members  42  and  44  should not exceed the height  50  of an individual opening  16  in the barrier netting  12  to ensure it can be properly attached to the clip  10 , whereas the distance  48  between the arm member free ends should be greater than this height  50  such that the barrier netting  12  can be properly retained by the clip  10 .  
         [0034]    The securing means in the form of a push pin  28 , best illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and  4 , is arranged in three distinct sections, namely, a tapered bifurcated front end section  52  which improves ease of insertion of the pin  28  into the channel  40  whilst hindering inadvertent release therefrom, an extended narrow mid section  54  and a broad tail end section  56  to which is attached the cord-like extension  32 . The diameters of the pin front end  52  and mid  54  sections are approximated for sliding insertion of the pin into, and resilient extraction of the pin  28  from, the channel  40 , whereas the tail end section  56  is of comparatively larger diameter to prevent full insertion of the pin through the channel.  
         [0035]    In operation, for attachment of the clip  10  to the fence post  14 , clip extensions  34   a  and  34   b  are brought into engagement with selected panel edge surfaces  38  of a panel section  18 , then push-fitted for attachment thereto. Following attachment, the position of the clip  10  along the panel  18  can, if necessary, be adjusted to align bores  36   a  and  36   b  with a selected aperture  20  in the post. The clip  10  may be secured in position on the post  14  by use of the securing push pin  28  which inserts partially through either of bores  36   a  or  36   b  into the channel  40 . Attachment of the barrier netting  12  to the clip  10  requires the bracket assembly  26  to be inserted through an appropriate opening  16  in the barrier netting  12  so that both the support  42  and retainer  44  arms thereof project through the opening  16  with the netting supported on arm  42  and retained from movement by arm  44 .  
         [0036]    Removal of the clip is generally the reverse procedure of the above assemblage process.  
         [0037]    Turning to the embodiment of the clip  10  shown in FIGS.  7  to  10 , as can be seen the clip  10  is substantially similar to the clip  10  described with reference to FIGS.  1  to  6 . Accordingly the same numerical references used in the description with reference to the earlier embodiment are employed for the same or similar integers hereinafter, and it is believed that only differences between the two need to be included.  
         [0038]    In this embodiment, the second bracing member in the form of a buttress or stiffening element  60  is provided to improve structural strength of the support arm  42  and the retainer arm  44 . The buttress element extends from the second surface  22   b  and bridging the arms  42  and  44 . Accordingly, deflection movement of the two arms  42  and  44  is substantially restricted and thereby providing improved retention of the fence  12 .  
         [0039]    Each of the extensions  34   a  and  34   b  has an area  62  with a reduced thickness. The first bracing means in the form of a bracing element  64  is interconnected between the first surface  22   a  and each of the extensions  34   a  and  34   b . As such the structural strength or stiffness of the extensions  34   a  and  34   b  is also substantially improved even with the reduced thickness areas  62 .  
         [0040]    The cord-like extension  32  in this embodiment has enlarged sections at its ends which are formed with the body  20  and the pin  28  respectively. While not shown, it should be understood that the pin  28  is of such a length that its end section  52  is exposed when it is fully inserted through the apertures  36   a  and  36   b.    
         [0041]    Referring now to FIG. 11, there is shown a partial view of a fencing system  58  comprising a section of horizontally extending barrier netting  12  supported across a plurality of spaced vertically positioned fence posts  14  (two shown here) by clips  10 . As depicted in this illustration, it is preferable that a number of clips are employed with each post to properly secure the barrier netting. In the present illustration the barrier netting  12  is secured to each post at its upper and lower ends by clips similarly located on each post.  
         [0042]    Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative example of the present invention many variations and modifications thereto will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the broad ambit and scope of the invention as herein set forth. For example it will be understood that the number of fence posts, fencing sections and clips per fence post used in the fencing system, may be varied as desired in accordance with end use requirements.  
         [0043]    Other variable factors include spacing between fence posts and the arrangement thereof, for example whether organised to form a straight line or circular fence and so on, fence post and fencing configuration and construction including aperture or opening sizes.