Patent Publication Number: US-2019177998-A1

Title: Fence panel assembly and components therefor

Description:
This application is a continuation application of International Application No. PCT/AU2017/050122, filed on Feb. 13, 2017, which claims priority to Australian Patent Application No. 2016900479, filed Feb. 12, 2016, Australian Patent Application No. 2016900657, filed Feb. 24, 2016, and Australian Patent Application No. 2017900043, filed Jan. 9, 2017, the contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to components for a fence panel, components for gates, a fence panel assembly itself, and a gate assembly. The fences are for enclosing and/or dividing garden spaces and the like, while of course the gates are for providing access between, to and from, fenced areas. In particular applications, the invention relates to a modular fence panel assembly able to interconnect with like modular fence panels. In other applications the invention relates to modular gate panels. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Fences are used to mark the boundary of a property and to provide privacy for persons within the boundary. Gates provide access to and from fenced areas. 
     A known fence type comprises a series of planar fence infill panels disposed between upright posts set into the ground. For example, concrete posts may be embedded in the ground at spaced apart intervals; wooden panels would be secured between spaced-apart posts. The fence panels may be produced from a wide range of materials, including wood, metal or plastics, and are selected according to usage environment, desired aesthetic and cost. 
     Modular fence panel assemblies are known and each one typically comprises a pair of posts and a plurality of slats. In order to construct the modular fence panel, the posts are first secured to the ground or an existing upright post, and the slats secured therebetween. Each post may include a plurality of apertures spaced therealong for receiving the slats, and each slat is inserted into an aperture in each post. 
     This kind of modular assembly allows a fence panel to be cost effectively manufactured and conveniently packaged in a kit of parts (known as ‘flat packed’), but it is common for such an assembly to suffer from a number of drawbacks. For example, a modular fence panel assembly can lack rigidity and therefore be damaged or deformed by strong winds. This lack of durability is not only unnecessarily costly but can also negatively impact upon security for the property. Furthermore, known fence panel assemblies are often unattractive and considered unsuitable for high value properties. 
     Known slats and fence panel assemblies themselves can be difficult and time consuming to assemble on site. Furthermore, the slats and fences can lack flexibility during the assembly process, such that the fence can take longer than anticipated and sometimes does not fit the envelope intended. 
     Known gates tend to sag over time and are also difficult and time consuming to assemble, and can require a high degree of manual skill. Known gates can also lack flexibility in the assembly process, such that in many cases they do not fit in the intended envelope. 
     Known slats themselves in a modular fence panel can lack rigidity and/or beauty. 
     Accordingly, the present technology seeks to provide a solution that ameliorates at least one of the disadvantages present in the prior art, or which provides another alternative to the prior art approaches. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one broad form the present technology provides an elongate slat for a fence panel module which has one or more recesses, projections, or elements disposed along its long sides for coupling with other elongate slats. The recesses or projections or elements can be fastening elements attached to, or integral formations along, the sides. 
     In another broad form the present technology provides a fence panel module which includes one or more elongate slats releasably fastened at their ends in apertures on opposed posts. The fastening arrangement is such that there is at least one quick release fastening element substantially disposed within the post, configured to hold at least one of the slats against a portion of the post. 
     According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an elongate slat for a fence panel module, the elongate slat including
         opposed long sides extending between opposed first and second ends, and   one or more recesses or projections or elements disposed along at least one of the opposed long sides for use in coupling with other elongate slats.       

     In one embodiment the opposed long sides are disposed along the sides of slat faces. 
     In one embodiment the coupling elements are brace members as described herein. 
     In one embodiment a projection in use cooperates with another projection by use of an intermediate element. 
     In one embodiment the intermediate element is a spacer with apertures for receiving two coupling elements, one at each end. 
     In one embodiment the spacer includes a rebate or relief at one end to relieve one wall to allow a coupling formation into the end via the rebate in the side wall. 
     In accordance with one aspect there is provided a spacer with a rebate cut or relief in one wall so that a projection may be introduced into the end of the spacer from one side. Preferably the spacer includes a central aperture. Preferably the central aperture is of non circular cross section so that the spacer cannot rotate about its central axis. 
     In one embodiment the recesses or projections or elements are coupling formations disposed into each of the opposed long sides, such that a first coupling formation on one side is formed to cooperate with a second coupling formation on the other long side, such that when the elongate slats are stacked one atop the other, the one or more cooperating coupling formations on the long sides couple with one another for support of the slats along the long side. 
     The first and second coupling elements may each include a coupling recess open at an outer end. One recess may be slightly narrower than the other so that one coupling element may fit at least partially within the recess of the other. 
     In one embodiment the first and second coupling recesses include one brace arm so as to define one wall of the recess. The brace arm of one coupling recess may have a notch or rebate or tab so as to fit with a brace arm of the other coupling recess to couple therewith. 
     In embodiments the coupling elements are configured to receive a reinforcing element in the recess for strengthening the slats against forces normal to the slat. The reinforcing element could be a bar or cylinder or batten of about the same cross-section as the recess, to couple and strengthen the recesses together. This arrangement works generally because the slats are inhibited from vertically separating when installed. 
     In embodiments the coupling elements on opposed faces are identical and abut along open edges so as to provide a substantially seamless join. In use there is no interengagement of abutting coupling elements in those embodiments (without a reinforcing bar disposed in the recess), but the brace arm still provides some increased strength against forces normal to the slat. 
     In one embodiment the elongate slat includes a planar face. 
     In some embodiments the elongate slats have acoustic attenuation elements. In one embodiment the acoustic attenuation formations include profiles on the faces. 
     In one embodiment the profile on the elongate face could run transversely across the slat (between the long sides) or longitudinally along the slat (between the ends) or a combination of both. 
     In these embodiments the profile is sinusoidal. In other embodiments the profile is sawtooth, square-wave, or includes local spots and depressions, or indeed, the profile could be any kind of profile, being an impression of an animal, fish, person, abstract pattern or like profile. The profile may provide sound absorbing properties. 
     In some embodiments the acoustic attenuation elements are cuts in the faces of the elongate slats. In some embodiments the cuts are disposed along the length, but in most cases the cuts will be a pattern or picture in a tryptich or quartich form, or generally polyptych, disposed across multiple elongate slats. 
     In one embodiment the elongate slat is a single-walled element. In some embodiments the slat is a rectangular or square hollow section. In embodiments the elongate slat is extruded from aluminium or plastic but in some embodiments it may suit an application to be roll-formed or press-braked from a flat sheet of steel or other suitable material. 
     According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a fence post including:
         at least one slat-receiving opening on one face for receiving at least a portion of an elongate slat therein;   a quick-release fastener disposed substantially within the post and configured to turn about an actuation axis so as in use to hold an elongate slat against a portion of the slat-receiving opening.       

     According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a fence panel assembly comprising:
         a plurality of elongate slats;   a pair of posts, each post having at least one slat-receiving opening on one face; and   a quick-release fastener disposed substantially within the post;   wherein the plurality of elongate slats extend between the slat-receiving openings on the posts.       

     In one embodiment there is a single slat-receiving opening which extends along the post from a top to a bottom. The post in this embodiment is in the form of a channel. The channel may be extruded or folded, or rolled. 
     In one embodiment the channel has an opening in a centre of the face. 
     In one embodiment the quick release fastener includes a fastener element which is cam-shaped or generally non-circular in cross-section so that it needs only to be turned about an actuation axis less than one full rotation to move between a free position and a fastened position. In one embodiment the cam is an ovoid shape. 
     For example, if the fastener element was ovoid in shape, it would only need to be turned less than 90° to move between the unlocked position, and the locked position. 
     In one embodiment the post includes a following recess for guiding the fastener element between the unlocked and the locked positions. 
     In one embodiment the following recess includes an elongate aperture generally shaped as an inverse to that of the ovoid cam. 
     According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a fence panel assembly comprising a plurality of slats, a pair of posts, each post having a plurality of apertures extending therein, each aperture dimensioned to receive one of the slats, a pair of rails, each rail having an engaging portion at each end thereof, the engaging portion dimensioned to fit within an aperture, and a plurality of connectors, each connector adapted to engage one of the engaging portions, wherein each of the plurality of slats and rails are arranged between the pair of posts and received in one of the apertures, and wherein each connector engages a respective engaging portion. 
     Other aspects are disclosed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIGS. 1A  and  FIG. 1B  are perspective views of a first fence panel assembly; 
         FIGS. 2 and 3  are perspective views of the first fence panel assembly shown partially assembled; 
         FIGS. 4A to 4C  are detail perspective views of the first fence panel assembly showing a brace member braced between slats; 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  are detail perspective views of the first fence panel assembly showing a rail spaced apart from a post; 
         FIG. 6  is front view of a second fence panel assembly; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of component parts of the second fence panel assembly; 
         FIGS. 8A to 8C  are perspective views of two of the component parts alone and connected together; 
         FIGS. 9A to 9F  are perspective views of the second fence panel assembly in various stages of assembly; 
         FIGS. 10A and 10B  are perspective and top views of a locking mechanism for the first or second fence panel assembly; 
         FIG. 11  is an end elevation view of an elongate slat; 
         FIG. 12  is a front elevation view of a fence panel assembly with four slats as shown in  FIG. 11  in a stacked formation between spaced apart posts; 
         FIG. 13  is a section view (or plan view) of a fence post showing a follower recess for receiving a quick release locking element in the form of a cam; 
         FIG. 14  is a guide cap for fitment into the end of a slat, which facilitates fitting of the slat into a fence post aperture; 
         FIG. 15  are several views of a gate rail extrusion cap; 
         FIG. 16  is an end elevation (or cross section) view of a gate rail extrusion which can receive the gate rail extrusion cap; 
         FIG. 17  is a detail end elevation view of a base edge of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a detail end elevation view of a top edge of  FIG. 11 , which is configured to interengage with the base edge shown in  FIG. 17 ; 
         FIG. 19  shows three views of an oval shaped spacer for engagement with elliptical brace members generally shown in  FIG. 4 ; and 
         FIG. 20  is a quick release locking element shown outlined in  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 21  is an end elevation view of an elongate slat and an elevation (or cross section) view of bracing sections. 
         FIG. 22  are plan views of a post connector. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  show a fence panel assembly  1 . The assembly comprises a pair of posts  2  and a plurality of slats  3  secured therebetween. At least some of the slats  3  are braced by a brace member  4  extending from one side, thereby forming a rigid panel. The brace member  4  may be affixed to the slats  3 , such as by welding, or in other ways such as by clamping the slats  3  together, and by being selectively adjustable in length, in any one of the ways being to further enhance the rigidity of the panel. Typically a rail  5  is also secured between the posts  2  and engages a top end  6  of each post  2 , to brace between posts  2 . 
       FIGS. 2 and 3  show the fence panel assembly  1  during two stages of construction.  FIG. 2  illustrates an initial stage where some of the slats  3  are engaged with respective apertures  7  extending into the posts  2 . Each aperture  7  is dimensioned to receive one of the slats  3 . Two brace members  4  are secured to each of the slats  3 , and each brace member is disposed at about 25% of the way along the length of the slat, from each end. This typically involves each slat  3  having a brace aperture extending therethrough and dimensioned to receive at least a portion of the brace member  4 . When the slats  3  engage the posts  4 , the brace apertures align thereby allowing the brace member  4  to be inserted through all of the brace apertures to brace the slats  3 . 
     Optionally, at least some of the slats  3  may be arranged together such that the brace apertures are aligned and the brace member  4  engaged therein prior to securing the slats  3  to either post  2 , thereby forming a sub-panel  8 . Some sub-panels may be three slats high, others two, others four. This is one advantage of some embodiments of the technology: that some sub panels can be pre-fabricated in jigs and then transported to site and assembled quickly into the stiles on site to form a fence panel. To pre-fabricate sub-panels, the slats are placed in jigs and then, any one of the following processes is undertaken:
         Held in place in jigs, and then spacers are welded into place;   Held in place in jigs, and then a bracing rod is extended through brace apertures is welded into place   Some tabs are punched from one long side of the slat, or otherwise formed so as to fit into cooperating brace apertures on adjacent slats when they are fitted into a sub panel.       

     Further optionally, the brace member  4  may be affixed to each slat  3 , such as by welding or adhesive, or may be selectively adjustable in length, such as by comprising a threaded section and a nut, thereby allowing the brace to clamp the slats  3  together. Where slats  3  are clamped together, spacers (not shown) may be added between slats  3  to ensure a consistent separation distance therebetween is maintained. 
       FIG. 2  shows some of the slats  3  spaced apart from the posts  2  and connected to each other by two other brace members  4 , thereby forming the sub-panel  8 . This allows multiple slats  3  to be connected to each other and then inserted into the stile apertures  7 , thereby streamlining the assembly process. In order to ease the sub-panel into the stile apertures, a guide cap as shown in  FIG. 14  is used and fitted into an end of each slat, and the chamfers helps to ease in the slats into the stile apertures  7 . 
     Alternatively, each post  2  may include a channel (shown in  FIG. 13 ) dimensioned to receive a slat  3  and into which the slats  3  are slid and retained. In this embodiment, each slat  3  may have a brace aperture extending in one long side thereof, and a brace member (not shown) affixed to and extending from an opposed side. When the slats  3  are slid into the channel, the brace member  4  extending from one slat  3  is aligned with the brace aperture extending into an adjacent slat  3 , thereby allowing each brace member to engage a brace aperture in the adjacent slat  3  and brace the slats  3 . This arrangement therefore allows the slats  3  to be progressively stacked on top of one another and braced, as the slats  3  are inserted into the channel. Further alternatively, the brace member is not affixed to one side of the slat  3  and instead, is a separate connector (not shown) adapted to engage two adjacent slats  3 . In this embodiment, a plurality of connectors can be engaged with slats  3  as they are stacked in the channel, thereby allowing progressive bracing of the slats  3 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a subsequent stage of construction, where the sub-panel  8  is arranged between the posts  2 , prior to the slats  3  being inserted into the apertures  7 . 
     The fence panel assembly  1  may be interconnected with other like panel assemblies (not shown) in order to form a larger fence area. For example, one or more of the posts  2  may be ‘double-sided’ and define a further plurality of like apertures  7 , typically in an opposed side to the first plurality of apertures  7  and aligned therewith, thereby allowing a further plurality of like slats  3  to be connected thereto. In this embodiment, only three posts  2  are therefore required to form two fence panels. 
     For example, the fence panel assembly  1  may be installed between two brick piers (not shown) spaced apart from one another a distance greater than the length of the slats  3 . In this scenario, a first post  2  having a single set of apertures  7  is secured to each pier, and a second post  200  (not shown) having two sets of like apertures  7  arranged in opposed sides of the post  200  is secured halfway between the piers. A first plurality of slats  3  is connected between one side of the second post  200  and one of the first posts  2 , and a second plurality of slats  3  is connected between the other side of the second post  200  and the other first post  2 . When installed in this way, the fence panel assembly  1  is therefore extended in length to form two panels between the two piers. In this scenario, the rail  5  may be dimensioned to extend between all three posts  2 ,  200  and brace therebetween. 
       FIGS. 4A to 4C  show two different spacers  9 ,  10  adapted to engage one brace member  4  with another brace member  4 , or the rail  5 . Whilst the spacers  9 ,  10  are shown as separate parts from the brace members  4 , it will be appreciated that either spacer  9 ,  10  may alternatively be an integral portion of the brace member  4 . 
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  show a first spacer  9  being affixed to one end of a first brace member  4 . The first spacer  9  defines an aperture  11  dimensioned to receive an end of a second brace member  4 . The first spacer  9  is typically used where two sub-panels  8  are constructed and secured between common posts  2 , whereby the first spacer  9  connects between aligned brace members  4  in the adjacent sub-panels  8 . This ensures a consistent distance is achieved between the adjacent sub-panels  8  and provides a secure mechanical connection between brace members  4 , thereby enhancing the rigidity of the fence panel assembly  1 . 
     The second spacer  10  is affixed to one end of a brace member  4  and has a protrusion  12  extending therefrom. The rail  5  typically has an aperture extending therein for receiving the protrusion  12 . The second spacer  10  is typically used when the rail  5  is secured between the posts  2  above the slats  3  to ensure a consistent distance is achieved between the top-most slat  3  and the rail  5  and to provide a secure mechanical connection therebetween, further enhancing the rigidity of the fence panel assembly  1 . 
     It may be that the cross section of brace member  4  varies. In some embodiments the cross section of brace member  4  may be circular; in other embodiments the cross section of brace member  4  may be non-circular. The reason for the brace member  4  to be non-circular is so as to facilitate assembly. In one embodiment, the non-circular cross-section brace member may be ovoid. When the brace member  4  is non-circular in section, a cooperating spacer may be provided to facilitate assembly. One cooperating spacer  109  is shown in  FIG. 19 . The cooperating spacer  109  is shown to have a base aperture  113  and an upper, rebated aperture  111  so that the second brace member  4  can slide into position into a bight  112  and be then held in position on the adjacent slat  3 . 
     Assembly of one panel sub assembly (of, say, four slats) and another panel sub assembly (of, say, three slats), into a pair of end posts, with a rebated spacer  109 , would be done by:
         1. Sliding the four-slat sub-panel  8  into respective apertures  7  on the post  2 ;   2. Placing rebated spacers on the top slat of the sub-panel  8 , on the brace members  4 , so that the rebate openings align to one end of the slat sub-panel;   3. Sliding the three-slat sub-panel  8  along the four-slat sub panel two sub-assemblies so that they enter the respective apertures  7 , while keeping the brace members  4  on the base long wall of the three-slat sub-panel  8  above the rebated spacer  109 ;   4. Lower the three-slat sub-panel  8  down and slide the three-slat sub-panel  8  back along the four-slat sub-panel  8  so that the brace members  4  on the three-slat sub-panel  8  engage the rebate and abut the end of the bight  112 . The two sub-panels are now braced by the brace elements  4 .       

     Advantageously, this assembly process is faster and more convenient than known processes. 
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  show the rail  5  being secured to each post  2 . The rail  5  has a post engaging portion  13 ,  14  arranged at either end thereof. Typically, the post engaging portion comprises one or more protrusions arranged to frictionally engage the post  2 . 
       FIG. 6  shows an alternative fence panel assembly  20  comprising a pair of posts  21  having a plurality of slats  22  connected therebetween. A pair of rails  23  are connected to respective ends of the posts  21 . The rails  23  are secured to the posts  21  by a plurality of connectors (not visible) to form a rigid frame. The assembly  20  may therefore be used as a free-standing structure, such as for a gate. 
       FIG. 7  shows the fence panel assembly  20  disassembled in kit form. In addition to the components described above, the assembly  20  further comprises four post connectors  24  and four rail connectors  25 . Each post  21  is at least partially hollow and includes a plurality of apertures  26  dimensioned to receive the ends of one of the slats  22 . 
       FIG. 8A  shows one of the rail connectors  25  in isolation. The rail connector  25  has a rail engaging portion  27  typically dimensioned to frictionally engage a hollow portion of one of the rails  23 . The rail connector  25  also comprises a post engaging portion  28  dimensioned to be received by one of the apertures  26 . The post engaging portion  28  further comprises an aperture  29  dimensioned to receive a portion of the post connector  24 . Whilst the rail connector  25  is shown as separable from the rail  23  it will be appreciated that the rail connector  25  may be an integral part of the rail  23 . 
       FIG. 8B  shows one of the post connectors  24  in isolation. The post connector  24  has a head  30  shaped to fit within the post  21  and a shaft  31  extending therefrom. The shaft  31  is arranged to engage the aperture  29  in the rail connector  25  to secure an associated rail  23  to a post  21 . This relationship is illustrated in  FIG. 8C . The post connector  24  further comprises one or more projections  32  extending from the head  30 , the protrusions  32  arranged to guide the connector  24  within the post  21  and therefore assist alignment of the shaft  31  with the aperture  29 . 
       FIGS. 9A to 9F  show various stages of constructing the fence panel assembly  20 . 
     In  FIG. 9A , one of the rail connectors  25  is shown being inserted into an end of one of the rails  23 . 
     In  FIG. 9B , the rail connector  25  is engaged with one of the apertures  26  in one of the posts  21  and one of the post connectors  24  is positioned for insertion into the post  21 . The shaft  31  is slightly offset from the aperture  29  so as to increase friction. 
     In  FIG. 9C , the post connector  24  is shown being inserted into the post  21 . 
     In  FIG. 9D , the post connector is shown inserted in the post  21 . The head  30  of the connector  24  is shown spaced apart from an end of the post  21 , thereby allowing a cap (not shown) to also be secured to the post  21 , or a bearing hinge (not shown) to be secured therein. 
     In  FIG. 9E , two rails  23  are engaged with one post  21 . 
     In  FIG. 9F , the slats  22  are inserted into the apertures  26  in one post  21  and positioned for insertion into the apertures  26  in the other post  21 . Once the slats  22  and the exposed rail connectors  25  are inserted into the apertures  26 , the post connectors  24  are inserted into either end of the post  21  and engage the respective rail connectors  25 , thereby completing the construction of the fence panel assembly  20 . 
     A fence panel may be assembled this way, or a gate panel may be assembled in a very similar way. Some gates require a stiffer gate rail extrusion which is shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16  and described in detail hereinbelow. The gate rail extrusion includes keys and cooperating keyways in the gate rail connector to increase stiffness as shown and described. In the embodiments shown, the gate can be assembled without welding on site, which is advantageous and easy, and the dimensions of the gate can be slightly varied because of the play in the gate stiles, so that the gate (and the fence panel, for that matter) can be flexible in dimension and the installer has some flexibility to overcome topographical and other site issues. 
       FIGS. 10A and 10B  show a quick-release fastening or locking mechanism  40  adapted to be used with either fence panel assembly  1 ,  20  described above. The quick release locking mechanism  40  comprises a locking bar  41  having at least a portion defining a cam-shaped or elliptical cross section. The locking bar  41  is inserted into one of the posts  2 ,  21  and arranged in a void between an inner surface of the post  2 ,  21  and the slats  3 ,  22  extending therein. The locking bar  41  is then rotated within the void until the cam-shaped portion urges against at least some of the slats  3 ,  22  and the post  2 ,  21 . This therefore firmly engages the slats  3 ,  22  with the post  2 ,  21  and eliminates undesirable noise caused by movement thereof, for example, due to wind. 
     To assist with the rotation of the locking bar  41 , a handle  42  adapted to engage the bar  41  may be provided. Engaging the handle  41  in an end of the bar  41  and manually rotating the handle  42  thereby allows sufficient torque to be exerted to urge the bar  41  between the slats  3 ,  22  and the post  2 ,  21 . For example, the end of the bar  41  may define a hexagonal socket (not shown) and the handle  42  define a complementary hexagonal portion dimensioned to fit within the socket, thereby allowing the handle  42  to engage the bar  41  and facilitate rotation thereof. To further assist with this rotation, a base (not shown) may be provided at an end of the post  3 ,  22  having a receiving portion to receive a portion of the bar  41  and guide its rotation. For example, the bar  41  may have a shaft (not shown) extending from an end which is received in a complementary aperture in the base, in order to correctly position the bar  41  relative to the slats  3 ,  22  and facilitate rotation thereof. 
       FIGS. 11 to 14  show another embodiment of the present invention. During discussion of this new embodiment, numerals like those used during discussion of other embodiments will be used, to describe like features. 
     Generally shown at  101  there is shown a fence panel assembly. 
     Shown at  103  is an elongate slat which includes opposed long sides  150 ,  151  extending between opposed first and second ends  152 ,  153 , and one or more coupling or bracing elements  104  disposed along at least one of the opposed long sides  150 ,  151  for coupling or bracing with other elongate slats. 
     The opposed long sides  150 ,  151  are disposed along the sides of slat faces  154 ,  155 . The coupling elements shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12  are coupling formations  104  disposed into each of the opposed long sides  150 ,  151 , such that a first coupling formation  164  on one side is formed to cooperate with a second coupling formation  165  on the other long side, such that when the elongate slats  103  are stacked one atop the other such as shown in  FIG. 12 , the one or more cooperating coupling formations  164 ,  165  on the long sides couple with one another for support or bracing of the slats along the long side. 
     The first and second coupling elements  164 ,  165  each include a coupling recess open at an outer end. One recess may be slightly narrower than the other so that one coupling element may fit at least partially within the recess of the other. 
     The first and second coupling recesses  164 ,  165 , include one brace arm  166 ,  167  so as to define one wall of the recess. The brace arm of one coupling recess may have a notch  185  or  186  or rebate or tab or ridge shown clearly in  FIGS. 17 and 18  so as to fit with a brace arm of the other coupling recess to couple therewith. 
     The coupling elements  104  are configured to receive a reinforcing element (not shown) in the recess for strengthening the slats against forces normal to the slat. The reinforcing element could be a bar or cylinder or batten of about the same cross-section as the recess, to couple and strengthen the recesses together. This arrangement works generally because the slats are inhibited from vertically separating when installed by being retained with a rail on the top of the panel, or just by being locked against the side of the fence post  102 , which provides a certain vertical retention force for the slat ends. 
     The coupling elements  164 ,  165  in some embodiments are identical and abut so as to provide a substantially seamless join. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the profile shape is two sinusoidal pitches and the slats join at the same portion on the sinusoidal waveform so that the join seems to be seamless. 
     Coupling elements  264  and  265  shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18  are shown, one ( 265  on the bottom edge) as a hollow cylinder with a groove along an outside wall to interengage and lock with the above mentioned tab or ridge  264  disposed on distal ends of arms  266 ,  267 . 
     The elongate slats  103  have decorative or acoustic attenuation elements, in the form of profiles  170  on the faces. The profile  170  on the elongate face is sinusoidal. The decorative or acoustic attenuation elements are cuts  175  disposed along the length and shown extending the pattern across four slats, in a quartich form. 
     The elongate slat  103  is extruded from aluminium or plastic. 
     The elongate slat  103  can be of any particular construction—rolled, or extruded or a combination of the two, or some other injection or other moulding process. In embodiments shown in  FIG. 21 , the elongate slat  103  is a combination of a rolled centre section  167  fashioned out of 1.6 mm steel and upper and lower bracing sections  204  and  304 . The lower bracing section  204  includes a coupler  209  for coupling two slats together the coupler  209  including two slat receivers  211  and  212  for receiving slats. The upper bracing section  304  is a termination brace for providing an upper or lower terminating slat with a foot for abutting an upper or a lower rail  5 . The terminating brace provides more strength than would otherwise be present with a rolled wave steel section. 
     There is shown in  FIG. 13  a fence post  102  for receiving the slats  103 . The fence post includes at least one slat-receiving opening  107  on one face for receiving at least an end portion  151 ,  152  of an elongate slat  103  therein. A quick-release fastener  141  is disposed substantially within the post  102  and is configured to turn about an actuation axis  180  (parallel with the post  102 ) so as in use to hold an elongate slat  103  against a portion of the slat-receiving opening. The quick release fastener shown in detail on  FIG. 20  has a hexagonal bore so as to receive an Allen key to move it along the following surface between the unlocked and locked positions. 
     There is shown in  FIG. 13  a single slat-receiving opening which extends along the post  102  from a top to a bottom. The post  102  in this embodiment is in the form of a channel, extruded, folded, or rolled. 
     The quick release fastener  141  holds the slat  103  against the aperture or channel opening  107  by friction. There is no piercing of the slat  103 . 
     The fastener  141  is a fastener element which is cam-shaped or generally non-circular in cross-section so that it needs only to be turned about an actuation axis less than one full rotation to move between a free position and a fastened position. The cam shown at  141  is an ovoid shape which only need be turned less than about  90 ° to move between the unlocked position, and the locked position (shown in  FIG. 13 ). 
     The post shown at  102  in  FIG. 13  shows a following recess  185  for guiding the fastener element  141  between the unlocked and the locked positions. The following recess  185  includes an elongate aperture generally shaped as an inverse to that of the ovoid cam. 
       FIG. 14  shows a guide cap shown at  190  which fits into a slat which has a rectangular hollow section. It helps to guide the end of the slat  3  into an aperture  7 . 
       FIGS. 15 and 16  show a section view of a gate rail  105  and a gate rail connector  125  which are cooperating sections. The internal section of gate rail  105  is complex, and includes keyways  195  and keys  196  so as to increase strength of interengagement. 
       FIG. 19  shows a spacer  109  with slots formed therein. An advantage of these spacers  109  is that the first sub-panel  8  can be fully inserted in to posts  2  on both ends of the sub panel  8 . Then, the spacers  109  can then be placed on an oval rod/brace  4  which oval brace cooperates with the oval slot in the spacer. Thus, the spacer  109  is configured to be disposed over the brace  4  with its cooperating central slot positioned to receive the adjacent sub panel  8  sliding in from one end. In use the oval brace  4  prevents the spacers turning, as they might on a simple round brace, thus keeping the slot located in the most useful position for supporting the sub panels  108 . 
     Advantageously, embodiments of the present invention facilitates construction of fences and gates with a minimum of skill and tools.