Patent Abstract:
A mounting means for supporting barrier fencing having a mesh structure. The mounting means includes an elongate mounting member and retaining means. The retaining means includes a plurality of integrally formed, spaced apart retaining members wherein the retaining members are fixed in position along the elongate axis of the mounting member and the retaining members are arranged to enable the mesh structure of the fencing to align and cooperate with the retaining members so that the fencing extends along the length of the mounting member. Barrier fencing can be assembled or dismantled quickly using the mounting means. The mounting means are reusable and there is no waste generated from discarded zip ties or wire.

Full Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a support for fencing. The present invention has particular but not exclusive application for supporting temporary plastic barrier fencing. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Plastic barrier fencing is generally used to temporarily cordon off areas on constructions sites and on the roads, railways and footpaths to restrict public access when repair work is being carried out. The fencing material is typically made from polypropylene, and is usually highly coloured for good visibility. Plastic barrier fencing may be in the form of a woven mesh manufactured from recycled plastic or extruded flat plastic lattice style netting. 
         [0003]    The plastic barrier fencing is usually supported by a number of spaced steel posts, such as star pickets. These posts are usually inserted in the ground, and the fencing is attached to the erected posts using zip or cable ties, pieces of wire or other non-reusable securing methods. 
         [0004]    A disadvantage of this method is that it is time consuming since at least two or three ties will be required to secure the plastic mesh to each post. The ties over time wear and break allowing the barrier fencing to move away from the post. The ties break as a result of high winds blowing the fencing and consequently applying breaking forces to the ties. In short, because the plastic fencing is only connected to the posts at a few points, the fencing can pull away from the posts or tear fairly easily in windy conditions. 
         [0005]    The ties can also crease and tear the plastic fencing material. Furthermore, it is difficult and time consuming to remove the plastic mesh from the posts without damage. The method is also both uneconomical and ecologically unsound since the ties cannot be reused. This can lead to unnecessary material waste and waterways pollution. When disassembling the barrier fences, the attaching ties are usually cut from the posts and the sharp edged plastic or wire parts are discarded on the ground. The discarded pieces of sharp edged plastic and wire can potentially pose a hazard to workers, the public and to wildlife. 
       OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    It is an object of the present invention to provide temporary fence supports that overcome at least in part one or more of the abovementioned problems. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention broadly resides in mounting means for supporting barrier fencing having a mesh structure; said mounting means includes 
         [0008]    an elongate mounting member; 
         [0009]    retaining means which includes a plurality of integrally formed, spaced apart retaining members; wherein in use the retaining members are fixed in position along the elongate axis of the mounting member and the retaining members are arranged to enable the mesh structure of the fencing to align and cooperate with the retaining members so that the fencing extends along the length of the mounting member. 
         [0010]    Preferably there are at least two retaining members spaced apart along the elongate mounting member. 
         [0011]    Preferably the mesh fencing is secured to the mounting member in a substantially vertical orientation. 
         [0012]    Preferably the retaining means is adapted to secure the fencing flush against the mounting member. 
         [0013]    The mounting member is preferably a post such as a star picket or a sleeve for positioning over a post or upright. 
         [0014]    In one preferred form the retaining means includes a plurality of integrally formed spaced apart retaining members and a securing rod. Preferably the retaining members include guides. In one embodiment the guides project through the holes in the mesh structure of the barrier fencing and allow the positioning of the securing rod with the guides to secure the mesh with the guides. 
         [0015]    In another embodiment, the guides include a plurality of loops or short tubes wherein the securing rod can pass there through. In another embodiment the guides include a plurality of channeled protrusions where a securing rod can be positioned within the channels. 
         [0016]    In a preferred embodiment the guides include a vertical elongate groove and a vertical short tube adjacent the lower end of the elongate groove. 
         [0017]    In an alternative embodiment, the retaining means is a plurality of teeth arranged vertically in a spaced relationship along the elongate axis of the support. The teeth are preferably adapted to grip lattice or woven fencing. Preferably the teeth have a concave profile to cooperate with the securing rod. 
         [0018]    In another preferred form, the retaining means is a plurality of integrally formed spaced apart retaining members wherein the retaining members are preferably barbs or hooks which cooperate with the mesh of the barrier fencing to secure the fencing in position. In one embodiment there is a plurality of a pair of hooks, where one hook of the pair is inverted with respect to the other hook of the pair. 
         [0019]    Preferably the retaining means secures the top and bottom sections of the fencing to the mounting member. Preferably the retaining means are located in spaced relationship across substantially the full width of the fencing. 
         [0020]    In one embodiment the mounting member is integrally formed with the mounting means. 
         [0021]    In an alternative embodiment the mounting member is operationally attachable to the mounting means. When the mounting member is operationally attachable to the mounting means, the mounting member is preferably in the form of a sleeve which is of suitable dimensions and is adapted to fit over an erected post, such as a star picket or other type of temporary post. 
         [0022]    Preferably when in position on the post or picket, the lower end of the sleeve rests on the ground. Preferably the mounting means is slightly taller than the vertical height of the barrier fencing. 
         [0023]    Preferably the upper and lower guides on the sleeve are angled to enable them to hold the barrier fencing in position before it is secured to the mounting member. 
         [0024]    When the retaining means includes a securing rod, preferably an end of the securing rod is adapted so the upper end of the rod may be secured in place by inserting it into the top of the mounting means for safety. Preferably the end of the securing rod is adapted to cooperate with the upper end of a star picket or other type of post to prevent the mounting member from rotating about the post. Preferably the upper end of the securing rod is bent to form a hook or U-shape. In another form the upper end of the securing rod is adapted to clamp the upper edge of the fencing to the upper end of the mounting member. 
         [0025]    In another preferred embodiment the securing rod includes one or more fasteners along its length. The one or more fasteners cooperate with the mounting means to secure the barrier fencing to the mounting means. In a preferred form, each of the one or more fasteners is a rigid tube section engagable within the vertical elongate groove. The rigid tube section is adapted to clamp the barrier fencing to the mounting means when the rigid tube section engages the vertical elongate groove. 
         [0026]    In a further embodiment, the retaining means include a plurality of paired vertically orientated opposing hooks located in spaced relationship along the height of the mounting member. Preferably each pair of hooks includes an upward pointing supporting hook and a downward pointing locking hook, the two hooks being located in horizontal alignment on the mounting member. Preferably each upwardly pointing supporting hook is longer than the corresponding downwardly pointing locking hook. 
         [0027]    This embodiment may be used with lattice barrier fencing. Preferably the paired hooks are arranged along the elongate axis of the mounting means with spacing to correspond with the aperture spacing in the lattice barrier fencing. 
         [0028]    When the mounting member is a sleeve intended for use with a star picket or other form of steel post, preferably the mounting member is made from a softer material than steel to reduce the likelihood of injury to members of the public if they come in contact with the mounting means. 
         [0029]    In one embodiment the mounting means is adapted to be driven into the ground. In this embodiment preferably the mounting means is constructed of steel or a similar suitably strong material and may be driven into the ground. In one aspect the mounting means may be in the form of a U-shaped steel rod. One leg of the U shape is longer and is adapted to be driven into the ground. The second leg is adapted to cooperate with barrier fencing. Preferably the second leg includes a plurality of spaced teeth, books or barbs to cooperate with and secure barrier fencing to the mounting means. The mounting means may include a pointed lower end to allow it to be driven into the ground. Side plates may be attached towards the lower end of the mounting means to enable it to be pushed into the ground by the installers own body weight. 
         [0030]    In a further embodiment, the mounting means may include a free-standing support. A free-standing support may be useful in situations where it is difficult or undesirable to create holes in a surface to erect a steel post or star picket. Free-standing mounting means may be constructed by affixing a plate, platform or conical support to the lower end of mounting means as defined above. 
         [0031]    Preferably the mounting means of the present invention are manufactured or painted in a high visibility colour or fluorescent material for safety. Preferably the mounting means are fitted with reflective tape or other reflective devices to improve night time visibility. 
         [0032]    Preferably the mounting means are fitted with protective caps. Where a securing rod is used, preferably the protective cap is adapted to fit over the end of the securing rod. Alternatively a protective cap may be adapted to cooperate with the top end of the securing rod to secure it in position. Preferably a protective cap is adapted to friction fit with the top of the mounting means. Preferably a protective cap may be adapted to friction fit with the inside of the mounting means. Alternatively a protective cap may be adapted to friction fit over the top end of the mounting means. 
         [0033]    Preferably, there is a plurality of mounting means spaced apart from each other enabling a length of barrier fencing to be fixed in position. 
         [0034]    In another aspect the invention broadly resides in a system for fixing barrier fencing wherein a plurality of mounting means as described above are spaced apart and serve to position and secure the barrier fencing. 
         [0035]    The barrier fencing can be made of a plastic mesh, plastic lattice, hessian or wire mesh such as chicken wire. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0036]    In order that the present invention can be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings wherein: 
           [0037]      FIG. 1  shows diagrammatic views of a first preferred embodiment of the fence support including guides mounted on a star picket and secured in place by a securing rod; 
           [0038]      FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic representation showing construction of temporary fencing using the fence support of  FIG. 1  and plastic lattice barrier fencing; 
           [0039]      FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic view of a second preferred embodiment of the fence support where the retaining means include teeth and guides; 
           [0040]      FIGS. 4 to 7  illustrate the securing of plastic mesh fencing to the fence support of the second preferred embodiment of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0041]      FIG. 8  is a diagrammatic view of a third preferred embodiment of the fence support including hook attachments and shown mounted on a star picket; 
           [0042]      FIGS. 9 to 11  illustrate the securing of plastic lattice fencing to the fence support of the third preferred embodiment of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0043]      FIG. 12  is a diagrammatic view of a fourth preferred embodiment of the fence support including teeth and a lower guide mounted on a star picket; 
           [0044]      FIGS. 13 to 15  illustrate the securing of plastic mesh fencing to the fence support of the fourth preferred embodiment of  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0045]      FIG. 16  is a diagrammatic view of a fifth preferred embodiment of the fence support including an elongate channel and a lower guide mounted on a star picket; 
           [0046]      FIGS. 17 to 19  illustrate the securing of plastic mesh fencing to the fence support of the fifth preferred embodiment of  FIG. 16 ; and 
           [0047]      FIGS. 20 and 21  are cross sectional views of the fence support of the fifth embodiment illustrating the mechanism of securing the mesh fencing to the fence support. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0048]    With reference to  FIG. 1  there is shown a fence support  10  for use with plastic lattice barrier fencing according to a first preferred embodiment. The fence support  10  includes a tubular sleeve  11  and is of suitable internal dimensions to allow it to be mounted on a star picket  14  or other suitable post. The tubular sleeve  11  has a plurality of vertical cylindrical guides  12  attached in a spaced arrangement along the outside surface of the sleeve  11 . The guides  12  are adapted to accommodate a vertical securing rod  15 . The securing rod  15  is bent at one end to form a U-shaped hook  17  which, when in position in the fence support, can cooperate with the upper end of the star picket  14  to prevent the sleeve  11  from rotating on the star picket. The main leg  16  of the securing rod  15  is of slightly smaller diameter than the internal diameter  13  of the guide  12 . 
         [0049]    With reference to  FIG. 2  there is illustrated fence construction using plastic lattice barrier fencing  18  and fence supports  10  mounted on a star picket  14 . The top edge of the lattice fencing is placed below the uppermost vertical guide  12  with the second guide  12  placed in the uppermost aperture  19  of the fencing  18 . The position of each vertical guide  12  corresponds with the spacing of the apertures  19  of the lattice fencing  18  such that each guide  12  fits through an aperture  19  to support the fencing  18 . The fencing  18  is secured in place on the fence support  10  by threading the main leg  16  of the securing rod  15  vertically downwards through the guides  12  to clamp the lattice fencing  18  against the support  10 . 
         [0050]    The upper and lower surfaces of the guides  12  may be angled to allow them to hold the plastic fencing  18  before it is secured to the fence support  10 . 
         [0051]    For safety, the upper end of the securing rod  15  is bent into a U-shape to enable the upper end  17  to be placed in the upper open end  20  of the fence support  10 . The securing rod end  17  may also cooperate with the upper end of the star picket  21  to prevent the fence support  10  rotating about the star picket  14  on which it is mounted. 
         [0052]    A temporary fence is constructed by stretching the length of plastic fencing  18  to other fence supports  10  and repeating the clamping process to secure the plastic fencing to each sequential support. 
         [0053]    When it is necessary to dismantle the temporary fence, the lattice fencing  18  is simply released from the fence support  10  by removing the securing rod  15  from the guides  12 . 
         [0054]    The shape of the sleeve  11  is of circular cross section, but other shapes such as square, rectangular or triangular may be used. 
         [0055]    The guides  12  may be cast or extruded with the sleeve  11 . 
         [0056]    With reference to  FIG. 3  there is shown a fence support for plastic barrier fencing in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. The fence support  30  includes a tubular sleeve  31  adapted for use with plastic lattice barrier fencing or plastic mesh fencing. The fence support  30  is of suitable internal dimensions to allow it to be mounted on a star picket  35 . The tubular sleeve  31  has a line of teeth  32  attached in a vertically spaced arrangement along the outside surface of the sleeve  31 . The teeth  32  are shaped to enable them to grip the plastic barrier fencing. Additionally the teeth  32  are concave in profile in a vertical direction to allow them to accommodate a securing rod. There are guides  33  and  34  at the upper and lower ends of the line of teeth  32  to accommodate a securing rod. The guides  33  and  34  and teeth  32  may be manufactured by casting or extruding a line of guides along the length of the sleeve  31 . The line of guides is then modified by cutting a plurality of teeth  32  from all but the two end guides  33  and  34 . Guides  33  and  34  remain at the upper and lower ends of the sleeve  31 . 
         [0057]    With reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5  there is shown the fence support  30  of  FIG. 3  mounted on a star picket  35 . The cooperation between the fence support  30  and a securing rod  37  is illustrated. The securing rod  37  is of slightly smaller diameter than the guides  33  and  34 . In use the securing rod  37  is threaded vertically through the upper guide  34  and the lower guide  33 , allowing it to lie along the line of concave vertically orientated depressions in the teeth  32 . 
         [0058]    The securing rod  37  is bent at one end to form a U-shaped hook  39  which can cooperate with the upper end of the star picket  35  to prevent the sleeve  31  from rotating. The main leg  38  of the securing rod  37  is of slightly smaller diameter than the internal diameter of the guides  33  and  34 . 
         [0059]    With reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7  there is illustrated the construction of a temporary barrier using the fence support  30  of  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  5  and plastic mesh barrier fencing  40 . The plastic mesh fencing  40  is secured on the fence support  30  mounted on a star picket  35 . The plastic mesh fencing  40  is secured in place on the fence support  30  by threading the main leg  38  of the securing rod  37  vertically downwards through the upper guide  34 . The plastic fencing  40  is inserted in the vertical space between the upper guide  34  and lower guide  33 , and the rod leg  38  is then inserted through lower guide  33  to clamp the plastic fencing  40  against the teeth  32  to secure the fencing  40  in place. 
         [0060]    A temporary fence is constructed by stretching the length of plastic fencing to other supports and repeating the clamping process to secure the plastic fencing to each sequential support. For safety the upper end of the securing rod  37  is bent to enable the upper end  39  to be placed in the upper open end  36  of the fence support  30 . The securing rod end  39  may also cooperate with the upper end of the star picket  35  to prevent the fence support  30  rotating about the star picket  35  on which it is mounted. 
         [0061]    When it is necessary to dismantle the temporary fence, the plastic mesh fencing  40  is simply released from the fence support  30  by removing the securing rod  37  vertically upwards from guides  33  and  34 , and easing the mesh  40  free from the teeth  32 . 
         [0062]    With reference to  FIG. 8  there is shown a fence support  50  according to a third preferred embodiment. The fence support  50  includes a tubular sleeve  51  and is adapted for use with plastic lattice barrier fencing. The sleeve  51  is slightly taller than the height of the plastic fencing, and of suitable internal dimensions to allow it to be mounted on a star picket  54 . The tubular sleeve  51  has a plurality of paired hooks  52  and  53  attached in a vertically spaced arrangement along the outside surface of the sleeve  51  for cooperating with the lattice fencing. The pairs of hooks  52  and  53  are spaced to correspond with the apertures of plastic lattice fencing. The paired hooks  52  and  53  are located side by side along the length of the sleeve. The pairs of hooks are vertically orientated and directionally opposed. Hook  52  points upwards and is slightly longer than downwardly pointing hook  53 . 
         [0063]      FIGS. 9 to 11  illustrate the construction of a temporary barrier using the fence support  50  of  FIG. 8  and plastic lattice barrier fencing  55 . The lattice fencing  55  is secured on the fence support  50  mounted on a star picket  54 . The lattice fencing  55  is secured by attaching the upper edge  56  of the lattice fencing  55  over the uppermost upwardly facing hook  52   a  to support the fencing  55 . The horizontal fencing edge  56  is then looped under the corresponding downwardly facing shorter hook  53   a  to lock the fencing  55  into position to prevent it from being removed from the hook  52   a  if buffeted by the wind. The paired hooks  52  and  53  are spaced at intervals along the length of the sleeve  51  to correspond with the spacing of the apertures  57  of the plastic lattice fencing  55 . The attachment operation is repeated with each pair of hooks  52 ,  53  along the fence support  50  until the fencing is secured all the way along. The smaller the horizontal distance of the hooks from the sleeve  51 , the more tightly the fencing is held against the fence support  50 . 
         [0064]      FIGS. 12 to 15  illustrate a yet further embodiment of a fence support in accordance with the present invention. The fence support  60  is suitable for use with plastic mesh barrier fencing, and is similar to the fence support  30  of  FIGS. 3 to 7 , except that the fence support  60  does not have a vertical upper guide. The fence support  60  includes a tubular sleeve  61  adapted for use with plastic mesh barrier fencing. The fence support  60  is of suitable internal dimensions to allow it to be mounted on a star picket  64 . The sleeve  61  has a line of teeth  62  attached in a vertically spaced arrangement along the outside surface of the sleeve  61 . The teeth  62  are adapted to enable them to grasp the plastic barrier fencing. Additionally the teeth  62  are concave in a vertical direction to allow them to accommodate a vertical securing rod  65 . There is a vertical cylindrical guide  63  at the lower end of the line of teeth  62  to accommodate a securing rod  65 . The fence support  60  is mounted on an erected star picket  64 . The securing rod  65  is of slightly smaller diameter than the guide  63 . In use the securing rod  65  is threaded through guide  63 . The plastic mesh fencing  67  is placed above the guide  63  and against the sleeve  61  to allow it to be gripped by the teeth  62 . The securing rod  65  is then clamped against the sleeve  61 , allowing it to lie along the line of concave depressions in the teeth  62  to secure the fencing  67  to the fence support  60 . 
         [0065]    The securing rod  65  is bent at one end to form a hook  66  which is adapted to clip onto the top of the sleeve  61  to allow the top end of the rod  65  to maintain close contact with the fencing  67  and the sleeve  61  to clamp the upper edge of the fencing  67  to the top of the support  61  and thus provide a secure grip. 
         [0066]      FIGS. 16 to 21  illustrate further embodiment of a fence support in accordance with the present invention. The fence support  70  is suitable for use with a variety of types of barrier fencing materials including plastic mesh, plastic lattice and hessian. 
         [0067]    The fence support  70 , as shown in  FIG. 16 , includes a tubular sleeve  71  of suitable internal dimensions for mounting on a star picket  74 . When mounted on an erected star picket  74 , the lower end of the sleeve  71  rests on the ground. There is an elongate vertical groove  72  on the outside surface of the sleeve  71 . The groove  72  has a “C” shaped cross section. There is a vertical cylindrical guide  73  at the lower end of the groove  72  to accommodate a securing rod  75 . 
         [0068]      FIGS. 17 to 19  show the fence support  70  mounted on an erected star picket  74 . The securing rod  75  is of slightly smaller diameter than the internal dimensions of the guide  73 . The securing rod  75  may be used with or without a locking tube  78 . Higher clamping forces are obtained when a locking tube  78  is used and this is beneficial in high winds or when the barrier fencing is erected and is to be used and not disturbed for a long period. The securing rod  75  has a hook  76  at one end and has a cylindrical locking tube  78  that surrounds the securing rod  75 . The locking tube  78  has a similar radius to the internal radius of the groove  72 . The hook  76  forms a clamping section with the free end returning back on the rod  75 . The locking tube  78  can be fixed or moveable along the length of the securing rod  75  or removed from the securing rod  75 . 
         [0069]    In use, the securing rod  75  is engaged with the guide  73  and the barrier fencing  77  is held against the sleeve  71 . The hook  76  is clamped over the top edge of the sleeve  71  and the locking tube  78  is pressed firmly into the groove  72  to engage with the groove  72  and hold the fencing  77  tightly against the sleeve  72 . 
         [0070]    The locking tube  78  is made of a hard non-deformable material, such as a hard plastic, so that it snaps into the vertical groove  72  on the sleeve  71 . 
         [0071]    Fence support  60  or fence support  70  can be used to support electric fence tape providing that the securing rod  65  (or  75 ) does not contact the ground to cause the live electric fence to earth. 
         [0072]    For increased safety, a fence support in accordance with the present invention may be manufactured in, or painted with, a high visibility colour. It may also have reflective tape or other reflective devices attached to improve night time visibility. A fence support can be manufactured from fluorescent plastic material to improve visibility in poor light conditions such as at night. The fence supports can be manufactured from UV stabilized material to avoid degradation in sunlight. 
         [0073]    A fence support may be made from a softer material to protect the members of the public against injury they may sustain should they come into contact with a star picket steel post. Protective caps may be used to fit the fence supports. These protective caps may be adapted to fit over the top of the fence supports, and may include a hole to accept securing rods where they are used. Alternatively the protective caps may be adapted to fit over both a fence support and a securing rod. The protective caps may be friction fitted with the inner or outer surface of the fence support. Where the protective caps fits over the fence support, guides may be provided in the cap to allow it to fit around any of the retaining means. 
         [0074]    The fence support may include a suitable pointed shape to allow it to be driven into the earth in a similar manner to that of a star picket or other regular steel post. It may be hammered into the earth or side plates may be attached close to the base so that fence support can be pushed into the earth using the installer&#39;s own body weight. A flat fixed or removable plate may be attached to the bottom of the fence support to enable it to remain vertical without additional support. The fence support may have a fixed or removable weighted base. 
         [0075]    The fence support of the present invention may be used to support a variety of mesh fencing materials including plastic mesh fencing (woven material, lattice netting), hessian and chicken wire. 
       Advantages 
       [0076]    An advantage of the preferred embodiment of the barrier fencing support is that the retaining means provide multiple attachment points and support for the barrier fencing and reduce the stress on the fencing material to prevent damage. It allows quick and easy means of attaching the fencing to the support, together with quick dismantling and less waste. 
         [0077]    Fencing can be assembled or dismantled quickly using the fencing supports of the present invention. The fence supports are reusable and there is no waste generated from discarded zip ties or wire. 
         [0078]    The fencing supports can accommodate both lattice and mesh type fencing, such as plastic barrier fencing and plastic mesh fencing, in addition to hessian, chicken wire and electric fence tape. Additional securing means are not required. 
         [0079]    When the fencing support is in the form of a sleeve to be used in conjunction with a steel post, such as a star picket, the sleeve may be made in a softer material than steel to reduce the chance of injury if a pedestrian were to collide with the fencing. The fencing supports may also be brightly coloured, be made of fluorescent plastic material, or have reflective material applied, to increase visibility. 
       Variations 
       [0080]    It will of course be realised that while the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth. 
         [0081]    Throughout the description and claims this specification the word “comprise” and variations of that word such as “comprises” and “comprising”, are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4