Abstract:
A clamp for use in building fences using framed fence sections, wherein the clamp includes two clasp portions, one having an integral bolt retained therein and the other having an integral receiver into which the bolt is threaded for securing the clasp portions together for clamping two fence section portions together.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates to fence systems, particularly to temporary reusable fences and more particularly to clamps used to hold sections of fences together.  
         [0002]     Work sites, such as building construction sites, are usually enclosed by a temporarily erected fence which is typically about six feet high. The purpose of the fence is to prevent unauthorized access to the work site and to provide safety and security. When work at the enclosed site is completed, the fence is removed and hauled away to be used again elsewhere. This type of security or safety fence may be described as temporary and reusable.  
         [0003]     The components of such a fence include individual portable fence panels, typically sized to be relatively easily handled for set up, transportation and take down, and clamps for connecting adjacent portable panels together.  
         [0004]     One type of portable fence panel is a rectangular wire mesh or chain link panel within a rigid rectangular edge frame. The edge frame is typically made of metal tubing of circular cross section, and includes a top horizontal portion, a bottom horizontal portion, and an upright edge frame portion at each end of the framed fence panel.  
         [0005]     Between each pair of fence panels in a fence, at least one clamp is used to confine the upright edge frame portions in a plane, separated and parallel to each other. A clamp, having two separated opposing cuffs, typically mirror images of one another, is employed to hold the panels together, with one cuff placed on one side of the fence and the opposing cuff placed directly opposite the first cuff on the other side of the fence. Then, a bolt is passed through central holes defined in the cuffs from one side of the fence, and a nut is then attached at the opposite side of the fence to the back of the bolt. The bolt/nut are then tightened, to hold the fence portions together by tightening the clamp to securely engage the fence portions. The bolt passes through the clamp cuffs roughly midway between the edge frames that are to be confined.  
         [0006]     Disadvantages of these fence systems include the following:  
         [0007]     The clamps are relatively difficult to assemble, as this involves simultaneously positioning the two cuffs at the front and back side of the fence portions, holding the cuffs in position while passing the bolt therethrough, then threading the nut onto the bolt, and finally, tightening the nut/bolt with at least one wrench (and more typically two wrenches). It can be difficult for one person to accomplish this assembly, and time consuming.  
         [0008]     The standard bolt and nut configuration used to secure the clamp portions is readily disassembled by thieves wanting to gain entry to the fenced area, using only a normal pair of pliers.  
         [0009]     As noted above, A disassembled clamp includes two clamp cuffs and at least one bolt and at least one nut, giving in total at least four separate parts.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     In accordance with the invention, an improved fence system is provided that addresses the problems defined above.  
         [0011]     Accordingly, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide an improved fence system that provides easier assembly.  
         [0012]     It is a further aspect of the present invention to provide an improved fence system in which labor and parts costs are reduced by reducing the number of fence parts required to be held in stock, and in reducing the complexity of dealing with these parts during on-site fence assembly and disassembly.  
         [0013]     It is yet a further aspect of the invention to provide a fence clamping system that is more secure against easy disassembly by thieves armed only with pliers.  
         [0014]     The subject matter of the present invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of this specification. However, both the organization and method of operation, together with further advantages and objects thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to like elements. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]      FIG. 1  is perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a clamp in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is a cross-section of the clamp of  FIG. 1  taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 ; and  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  is an illustrative diagram showing two fence sections assembled with the clamp of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0018]     A clamp  100 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is shown in perspective view in  FIG. 1 . A first clasp portion  10  is shown spaced apart from and opposed to a second clasp portion  12 . In first clasp  10 , a first arcuate gripper portion  14  and a second arcuate gripper portion  16  extend from a first central portion  18 . A bolt  20  has a bolt head  22  and a threaded shaft  24 . The shaft  24  extends through the first central portion  18  as indicated at location  26 . The clasp  10  has an integral bolt retainer  28  for preventing the bolt  20  from being removed from or separated from the first clasp  10 .  
         [0019]     In the second clasp  12 , a third arcuate gripper portion  30  and a forth arcuate gripper portion  32  extend from a second central portion  34 . A nut  36  is permanently attached to the second central portion  34  of the second clasp  12  and is thus an integral portion of the second clasp  12 . The shaft  24  of the bolt  20  is threaded into the threaded portion of the second clasp portion  12 , that is to say, into the nut  36  in this embodiment.  
         [0020]     With the first clasp portion  10  attached to the second clasp portion  12  by the bolt  20 , the first gripper  14  and the second gripper  30  confine an upright portion of an edge frame (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) of a first fence panel, and likewise second gripper  16  and fourth gripper  32  confine an upright portion of an edge frame (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) of a second fence panel.  
         [0021]     The various elements of clamp  100  may be made of any suitable materials, particularly metal or metal alloys, and any other suitable material, such as plastic, fiberglass, or the like.  
         [0022]     With regard to the dimensions of the clamp  10 , the height from point  38  to point  40  can be about one to two inches and if needed can be a twelve inches or more to more securely confine edge frames. The width of the clamp  100  from point  38  to point  42  can be about five inches, or considerably more or considerably less as required for a particular application.  
         [0023]     With regard to the radius curvature of the grippers  14 ,  16 ,  30 , and  32 , the radius  44  of curvature is chosen in relation to the corresponding edge frame radial dimension, a radius of  0 . 75  inches being useful. However this radius of curvature may be varied over a wide range as required by specific applications.  
         [0024]     Further, with regard to the opposing pair of grippers  14 , and  30 , for example, only one of these might be required to be curved to effect confinement of the first edge frame. Likewise, for grippers  16  and  32 , again only one of these grippers might be curved to effect confinement of the second edge frame.  
         [0025]     With regard to the bolt retainer  18 , in  FIG. 1 , the bolt retainer  18 , includes a cylindrical portion  46  laterally enclosing the bolt head  22  and cap portion  48  having a keyhole  50 . Keyhole  50  gives access to socket  52  in bolt head. Socket  52  may have a unique configuration requiring a matching key and thus diminishing the possibility of unauthorized opening of the clamp  10 , or, in a preferred embodiment, may comprise a hex configuration to receive and be driven to tighten or loosen the bolt by use of a hex driving tool, for example. Socket  52  which may comprise a hex configuration, having an Allen head configuration (flat sides) or a star head configuration (TORX brand, for example). Other configurations such as square drive sockets, 12-point drive, “+” style or flat head screwdriver types may also be employed for the configuration of socket  52 .  
         [0026]      FIG. 2  is a cross section of the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1 , the cross-section being taken along line  2 - 2  through the main axis of the bolt  22  and parallel to the line from point  38  to the point  42 .  FIG. 2  further includes a cross section of an edge frame of a fence panel for illustration of the engagement thereof.  
         [0027]     It should be noted that the distance  54  between grippers  14  and  30  and between grippers  16  and  32  decreases as the bolt  20  is turned to close the clamp  10 . The distance  54 , when the clamp is closed, should not be greater than, and needs only to be a little less than the diameter  56  of the enclosed edge frame  58  of a fence section.  
         [0028]      FIG. 3  illustrates a portion of  2  fence panels, showing the clamp  100  mounted at upper and lower (clamp  100 ′) portions thereof. The fence panels are suitable “chain link” type fence panels in a typical use, but this is not a requirement.  
         [0029]     Accordingly, and improved clamp system for temporary fence portions is provided. The clamp is easily assembled, given that the bolt/nut combination portions (or other suitable engaging devices) are secured to their respective clamp portions, so that an assembly worker need only manage  2  clamp pieces, as contrasted to the prior art  4  piece clamp systems. The use of a hex drive or other type drive rather than the standard bolt head and corresponding nut allows that once assembled, the clamp is not so easily disassembled by a thief wanting entry to the fenced area via use of a simple pair of pliers.  
         [0030]     Assembly (and disassembly) may suitably be accomplished by use of a portable electric drill or driver tool, with a hex head driver or other appropriate driver, for example.  
         [0031]     While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. The appended claims are therefore intended to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.