Improvements in the Construction of Metal Fencing.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Feb., 1891
Complete Specification Left. 10th Nov., 1891-Accepted, 12th Dec., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Metal Fencing.
We, SAMUEL BAYLISS, of the firm of Bayliss Jones and Bayliss, of Victoria
Works, Wolverhampton in the County of Stafford, Fencing Manufacturers, and
JAMES SADLER, of 357 Newhampton Road, Wolverhampton, aforesaid, Draughts-
man in the employment of the said firm, do herely declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to fencing of the character of that described in Samuel
Bayliss and Robert Howarth's Patent Specification No. 11200 of 1885, that is
fencing in which the vertical bars are carried loosely in the longitudinal bars so as
to form a flexible vertical-bar fence; and has for its object certain improvements
in the means by which the vertical bars are carried by or interlocked with the
longitudinal bars or rails.
In the case of vertical bar fencing in which the vertical bars are square in
section (or of other section having diameters of different lengths, such as triangular
or oval) such bars have, according to this invention, each two twists formed in them
in such positions, respectively, that one of such twists by coming against the
underside of the top longitudinal bar or rail will prevent the vertical bar from
being drawn upwards sufficiently to draw it out of the bottom longitudinal bar or
rail, and the other of such twists by resting upon the bottom longitudinal bar will
prevent the vertical bar from being moved downwards. For neatness in appearance,
the twists should be of such character as to bring the ends of the bars into the same
position in relation to the portions thereof between the twists; thus, in the case of
square bars, the ends may present their flat faces outwards and the portions
between the twists present their angles outwards, or rice versa.
In the case of vertical-bar fencing in which the vertical bars are round in section,
projections are formed, according to this invention, upon such bars in positions as
required for the purpose hereinafter shewn, and preferably by pressing sideways
into the metal of the bars by means of a suitably-shaped press tool so as to force
outwards portions of the substance of the metal. Such projections are formed near
to the upper ends of the bars, and also near the lower ends thereof. The holes
through the longitudinal bars or rails are punched with niches or openings in the
sides thereof. The positions of the niches in the holes, and of the projections on
the vertical bars, are in such relation to one another that after the parts have been
put together and the longitudinal bars or rails fixed to the standards, the vertical
bars cannot be turned into such position as to be capable of being moved sufficiently
endways upwards or downwards within the longitudinal bars or rails to remove
them therefrom.
According to a simple method of carrying out this part of the invention, the
vertical bars may first be all pushed through the holes to receive them in the upper
longitudinal bar or rail, a projection near the upper end of each vertical bar being
pushed through a niche formed therefor in the hole. The vertical bars are then
turned so as to bring such projections clear away from the niches, and consequently
over the metal around the edges of the holes. A second projection on each vertical
bar is formed somewhat below the projection which is pushed through the niche,
and when the bars are turned as described these projections are immediately below
the edges of the metal around the holes, and are consequently clear of the niches.
The lower longitudinal bar or rail is then pushed over the lower ends of the
vertical bars, and niches in the holes through such longitudinal bar pass over
projections near the lower ends of the vertical bars. Projections are formed on the
vertical bars also in position to be immediately above the lower longitudinal bar.

page_text: The projections and niches are in such position, in relation to one another, that
when the parts have been put together and the longitudinal bars or rails fixed to
the standards, a vertical bar is turned into such position as to bring one of its
upper projections to coincide with a niche in the upper longitudinal bar or rail, the
corresponding projection near the lower end of the vertical bar will be out of
coincidence with the niche in the lower longitudinal bar or rail, and thus the bar
cannot be turned into any position in which it can be moved sufficiently upwards or
downwards within the longitudinal bars to remove it therefrom.
If it is desired to prevent the vertical round bars from being turned at all when
the fence is fixed in place, such as when spear and other ornamental heads are used,
a pair of projections (the upper one of which may consist of the head itself) may
be formed near the upper end of each vertical bar, and such end be attached to the
upper longitudinal bar in the manner above described, and an elongated projection
may be formed near the lower end of each vertical bar in such position that, after
the bar has been passed through the upper longitudinal bar and turned to bring
both the projections near its upper end out of coincidence with the niche, a corre-
sponding niche in the lower longitudinal bar will engage with the elongated
projection when the lower longitudinal bar has been passed over the end of the
vertical bar and fixed in place; that is to say, such elongated projection will form
a key within such niche and thus securely prevent the bar from being turned; and
thus, of course, neither of the projections at the upper end of the vertical bar can
be brought into coincidence with the niche in the upper longitudinal bar, and the
vertical bar consequently cannot be moved end ways to any material extent. An
extra projection may be formed on cach vertical bar in position to rest on the lower
longitudinal bar, and thus throw the weight on to such bar, in which case no
projection on the vertical bar is necessary above the top longitudinal bar for the
purpose of the attachment; but, if the vertical bars have heads thereon, such bars
must have their lower ends pushed first through the top longitudinal bar, and
therefore an extra niche must be formed in each hole through such bar to pass over
the extra projection above described. In lieu of the elongated projection near the
bottom of the vertical bar, a flat may be formed on one or on opposite sides of the
bar for a short distance up from the bottom end (or the bar may be formed
octagonal, or of other analogous section, at such end) and the lower longitudinal
bar be formed with holes corresponding in shape to the altered section of the
vertical bar. In such case, a shoulder on the vertical. bar may rest on the lower
longitudinal bar, and a transverse peg may be passed through one or more of the
vertical bars immediately below the lower longitudinal bar, in order to carry such
longitudinal bar while the length of fence to which it belongs is placed in
position.
It is not, of course, essential that the vertical round bars shall be first passed
through holes in the upper longitudinal bar, and then locked by passing the lower
longitudinal bar over their lower ends, as the reverse arrangement may be adopted,
if desired.
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton, Agent for the Applicants.
COMPLETE
SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Metal Fencing.
We, SAMUEL BAYLISS, of the firm of Bayliss Jones and Bayliss, of Victoria
Works, Wolverhampton in the County of Stafford, Fencing Manufacturers, and 5
JAMES SADLER, of 357 Newhampton Road, Wolverhampton, aforesaid, Draughts-
man in the employment of the said firm, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to fencing of the character of that described in Samuel 5

page_text: Bayliss and Robert Howarth's Patent Specification No. 11,200 of 1885, that is
fencing in which the vertical bars are carried loosely in the longitudinal bars so as
to form a flexible vertical-bar fence; and has for its object certain improvements
in the means by which the vertical bars are carried by or interlocked with the
longitudinal bars or rails.
In the case of vertical-bar fencing in which the vertical bars are square in
section (or of other section having diameters of different lengths, such as triangular
or oval) such bars have, according to this invention, each two twists formed in them
in such positions, respectively, that when the fence is fixed one of such twists by
coming against the underside of the top longitudinal bar or rail will prevent the
vertical bar from being drawn upwards sufficiently to draw it out of the bottom
longitudinal bar or rail, and the other of such twists by resting upon the bottom
longitudinal bar will be carried thereby and prevented from being moved down-
wards. For neatness in appearance, the twists should be of such character as to
bring the ends of the bars into the same position in relation to the portions thereof
between the twists.
This part of the invention is illustrated by Figure 1 of the accompanying
drawings, which shews an elevation of a square vertical bar a carried in the
longitudinal bars band c. A short length only of each of the bars b and c is shewn,
for convenience of illustration, and such bars are shewn in longitudinal section.
They may be of channel form transversely, as indicated, or of plain or other desired
section. Each bar a (the one only being shewn for convenience of illustration) has
a twist & formed therein in position to come immediately below the top longitudinal
bar b, and a twist d¹ to come immediately above the bottom bar c, so that when in
place within the bars, as shewn, it can neither be pulled up out of the top bar or.
drop within the bottom bar. The holes through the longitudinal bars are square
(that is, of the same shape as the vertical bars), and it is preferred that the holes
through the top bar shall be punched therethrough in the same position in relation
thereto as the corresponding holes punched through the bottom bar have in relation
to such bar, so that the parts of the vertical bars which project above and below
the top and bottom longitudinal bars shall present the same appearance.
illustration, the bar a shewn as presenting between the twists an angle at the face
of the fence, and the parts above and below the longitudinal bars b and c as pre-
senting flats, but the holes through the longitudinal bars may be punched anglewise,
if desired, so that the vertical bars shall present Aats between the twists and angles
above and below the top and bottom longitudinal bars. Sufficient twist, however,
may be given, as will be obvious, to cause the vertical bars to present either angles
or flats both between the twists and above and below the top and bottom
longitudinal bars, accordingly as the holes are punched anglewise or straight
through the longitudinal bars.
In the
In the case of vertical-bar fencing in which the vertical bars are round in section,
projections are formed, according to this invention, upon such bars in positions as
required for the purpose hereinafter shewn, and preferably by pressing into the
metal of the bars by means of a suitably-shaped press tool so as to force outwards
portions of the substance of the metal. Such projections are formed near to the
upper ends of the bars, and also near the lower ends thereof. The holes through
the longitudinal bars or rails are punched with notches niches or openings in the
sides thereof to allow projections to be passed therethrough. The positions of the
notches in the holes, and of the projections on the vertical bars, are in such relation
to one another when the parts have been put together, and the longitudinal bars or
rails fixed to the standards, that the vertical bars, though quite loose in the
longitudinal bars, as required for a flexible fence, and capable of being turned
therein, are incapable, in any position into which they may be turned, of being
moved sufficiently endways upwards or downwards within the longitudinal bars or
rails to remove them therefrom or from either of them. The projections are, of
course, formed on the vertical bars before they are put in place in the longitudinal

page_text: bars, such being in fact a part of the process of manufacture at the works where
the fencing is made.
According to a simple method of carrying out this part of the invention, the
vertical bars may first be all pushed through the holes to receive them in the upper
longitudinal bar or rail, a projection near the upper end of each vertical bar being
pushed through a notch formed therefor in the hole. The vertical bars are then
turned so as to bring such projections clear away from the notches, and consequently
over the metal around the edges of the holes. A second projection on each vertical
bar is formed somewhat below the projection which is pushed through the notch,
and when the bars are turned as described these projections are immediately below
the edges of the metal around the holes, and are consequently clear of the notches.
The lower longitudinal bar or rail is then pushed over the lower ends of the
vertical bars, and notches in the holes through such longitudinal bar pass over
projections near the lower ends of the vertical bars. Projections are formed on the
vertical bars, also, in position to be immediately above the lower longitudinal bar.
The projections and notches are in such position, in relation to one another, that when
the parts have been put together and the longitudinal bars or rails fixed to the
standards, if a vertical bar is turned into such position as to bring one of its upper
projections to coincide with a notch in the upper longitudinal bar or rail, the
corresponding projection near the lower end of the vertical bar will be out of
coincidence with the notch in the lower longitudinal bar or rail, and thus the bar
cannot, in any position into which it may have been turned, be moved sufficiently
upwards or downwards within the longitudinal bars to remove it therefrom. This
particular method of carrying out this part of the invention is illustrated by
Figures 2, 3 and 4, of which Figure 2 is a transverse sectional elevation through
the top and bottom longitudinal bars, shewing one of the vertical bars in elevation;
Figure 3 is a sectional plan taken on line xx of Figure 2, shewing only a short
length of the top longitudinal bar; and Figure 4 is a sectional plan, taken on
line yy of Figure 2, shewing only a short length of the bottom longitudinal bar.
Projections efare punched or pressed out of the substance of the metal near the
upper end of the vertical bar g, and corresponding projections hi are pressed out
near the bottom of such bar. A notch is formed in the edge of the hole in the
top longitudinal bar k through which the vertical bar passes, and a corresponding
notch is formed in the edge of the corresponding hole in the bottom longitudinal
bar m, these notches and being each of a size which will admit of one of the
projections passing therethrough. When the lower projections on the vertical
bar g correspond in circumferential position on the bar, as shewn, with the upper
projections (and which arrangement affords facility for punching both ends of the
bar at one operation), the notch in the hole through the bottom longitudinal bar
through which the vertical bar passes must not, of course, come immediately under
the notch in the corresponding hole in the upper longitudinal bar. The notch in
the hole through the bottom longitudinal bar must be in such relation to the notch
in the corresponding hole in the top longitudinal bar, and to the projections, that if
the vertical bar g is turned to bring any projection (for instance the projection e)
into position immediately above or below a notch in the one longitudinal bar the
corresponding projection (namely the projection ) will be clear of the corresponding
notch in the other longitudinal bar, and thus the vertical bar g, while quite free in
the longitudinal bars k m, cannot be moved, more than to the extent of the play or
easiness of fit, upwards and downwards therein. The lower projections may be in
any
desired circumferential position in relation to the upper projections, the position
of the one notch in relation to the other being arranged accordingly. The vertical
bars may be first put into the holes in the top longitudinal bar and then turned to
bring their projections i into position to allow the bottom longitudinal bar to be
pushed up thereover. It is not necessary that the projections of each pair shall be
formed at opposite points in the circumference of the vertical bar as shewn, but
such is preferred as being more convenient in punching or pressing out the metal

page_text: Vertical Dars
as, in doing so, the pressure on one side balances that on the other.
constructed and fixed in this manner, may have heads of any shape (such as round)
in respect of which it is not objectionable that they are capable of being turned, in
which case the lower portions of such heads may take the place of the projections e,
and of course any projection which has not to be passed through a hole in a longi-
tudinal bar may be formed as a collar or of any desired shape. The projections i
serve also to prevent the bottom longitudinal rail sagging if extra weight is brought
thereon. Where no projection is required below the bottom longitudinal bar, and
the vertical bar has no head, the notch / may be dispensed with; and in such case
also this modification may be simplified by omitting the projection e also, in which
case neither of the longitudinal bars will require notches as neither the projection f
or h will need to pass through a longitudinal bar, and in lieu of the projections the
ends of the bar may be simply reduced in diameter to form shoulders, and such
reduced ends, or either of them, may be formed to a shape which will prevent the
bar turning in case a spear or such like head is to be riveted or screwed thereon.
A modification of this part of the invention, suitable when it is desired to prevent
the vertical round bars from being turned at all when the fence is fixed in place,
such as when spear or other ornamental heads are used in respect of which it would
be objectionable if they were liable to be turned, is illustrated by Figures 5 to 8
inclusive. These figures correspond, respectively, to Figures 2, 1, 3 and 4, before
explained. A pair of projections ef (of which the upper one may in some cases
consist of the head) are formed near the upper end of each vertical bar, and such
end is attached to the top longitudinal bar in the manner already described with
reference to Figures 2 and 3, being passed down for such purpose through such
longitudinal bar. An elongated projection n is formed near the lower end of each
vertical bar in such position, as shewn, that after the bar has been passed through
the top longitudinal bar, and turned to bring the projections e out of coincidence
with the notch, a corresponding notch in the bottom longitudinal bar will engage
with the elongated projection n when such longitudinal bar has been placed over
the end of the vertical bar and fixed in place. The projection, while easy within
the notch and leaving the vertical bar free within the longitudinal bar, securely
prevents the bar from being turned; and thus, of course, neither of the pro-
jections ef can be brought, when the fence is fixed, into coincidence with the notch
in the top longitudinal bar, and the vertical bar cannot consequently be moved
endways to any material extent. The projection n is shewn in the illustrations to
be at right angles, in circumferential position, with the projections ef, but it may,
if desired, for convenience of being formed at one operation with such projections,
be in the same circumferential position as either of them, in which case the notches
in the holes through which such bar passes must be placed in suitable position
therefor in relation to one another. A projection o, shewn by broken lines only,
may be formed on each vertical bar g in position to rest on the lower longitudinal
bar and thus throw the weight on to such bar, in which case no projection on the
vertical bar is necessary above the top longitudinal bar, for the purpose of
attachment, and consequently if the vertical bar has no head, no notch is required
in the top longitudinal bar; but. if the vertical bars have heads thereon, such bars
must be put in place downwards through the top longitudinal bar, and therefore
two notches must be formed in each hole through such bar on account of the
elongated projection n and the projection o both of which must be passed through it
in addition to the projection f. In lieu of the elongated projection n, a flat may be
formed on one or on opposite sides of the vertical bar for a short distance up from
the bottom end (or the bar may be formed octagonal, or of other analogous section
at such end), and the lower longitudinal bar be formed with holes corresponding in
shape to the altered section of such portion of the vertical bar. An arrangement
of this kind is illustrated by Figures 9 and 10, of which Figure 9 corresponds to
the lower portion of Figure 6, and Figure 10 is a plan of a short length of the
bottom longitudinal bar. The lower end of the vertical bar g has flats formed on

page_text: 2"
its sides, as shewn, so as to make it of a shape which will not turn in a hole of
corresponding shape. Such end is passed through a hole p, correspondingly shaped,
in the bottom longitudinal bar. In this case, the shoulders of the vertical bar
may rest upon the botton longitudinal bar, and when this is so no other projection
is necessary on the vertical bar to prevent it being moved downwards. A
transverse peg 9 may be passed through one or more of the vertical bars,
immediately below the lower longitudinal bar, in order to carry such longitudinal
bar while the length of fence to which it belongs is placed in position and such
pegs may be used with other of the modifications described, where required for
such purpose.
:
It is not, of course, essential in all cases that the vertical bars shall be first
passed through holes in the upper longitudinal bar, and then locked by passing the
lower longitudinal bar over their lower ends, as the reverse arrangement may
frequently be adopted, if desired.
It will be seen that in all cases in which vertical bars are fixed to longitudinal
bars according to this invention, such vertical bars cannot be removed therefrom
without first removing one of the longitudinal bars; and that in putting the vertical
and longitudinal bars together to form up a fence no alteration or modification of
the vertical bars or of the parts of the longitudinal bars through which they pass,
or any addition thereto, has to be made for the purpose of permanently retaining
the vertical bars in position in the longitudinal bars.
Fencing constructed according to any manner above described is of course
bundled for transit, and is put together in situ.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is :-
:-
1. Vertical bars of vertical-bar fencing, of square or other sections which
prevent them being turned in the holes through which they pass in the longitudinal
bars, formed with twists therein substantially as and for the purpose described.
2. Vertical round bars of vertical-bar fencing attached to the longitudinal bars,
in a manner which prevents them being removed therefrom, the vertical bars
being simply placed in position within the longitudinal bars without need for
subsequent alteration or modification of themselves or of the parts of the longi-
tudinal bars through which they pass, or of additions thereto, to retain them
permanently in the longitudinal bars, substantially as described.
3. Vertical round bars of vertical-bar fencing formed with projections thereon,
in combination with notches formed in the edges of the holes in the longitudinal
bars through which such vertical bars pass, the projections and notches being in
such relation to one another when such vertical bars are in position within the
longitudinal bars that it is impossible, in any position into which they may be
turned, to draw them endways to any material extent, substantially as described.
4. Vertical round bars of vertical-bar fencing, each provided with two projections
or stops one to come immediately below the top longitudinal bar and the other
immediately above the bottom longitudinal bar, the ends beyond such projections
or stops being passed, respectively, through holes in the top and bottom longi-
tudinal bars, without need for subsequent alteration or modification of themselves
or of the parts of the longitudinal bars through which they pass, or of additions
thereto, to retain them permanently in the longitudinal bars, substantially as
described; and also the modification of such arrangement, substantially as described,
in which ends of the vertical bars are shaped to prevent them turning.
5. In vertical round-bar fencing, the vertical bars having parts formed in the
substance thereof which prevent their endway movement when in place, in com-
bination with projections or shaped portions thereof which pass through corresponding
openings in the longitudinal bars and prevent the vertical bars turning therein, the
vertical bars being simply placed in position within the longitudinal bars without

page_text: need for subsequent alteration or inodification of themselves or of the parts of the
longitudinal bars through which they pass, or of additions thereto, to retain them
permanently in the longitudinal bars, substantially as described.
6. In vertical round-bar fencing, the vertical bars formed each with projections
near one end, or with a projection near each end, to prevent endway movement
when in position within the longitudinal bars by which it is carried, in combination
with a projection which when the vertical bar is in such position is within a notch
by which it, and consequently the vertical bar, is prevented from turning, the
vertical bars being simply placed in position within the longitudinal bars without
need for subsequent alteration or modification of themselves or of the parts of the
longitudinal bars through which they pass, or of additions thereto, to retain them
permanently in the longitudinal bars, substantially as described.
7. In vertical round-bar fencing, the vertical bars formed each with a projection
or projections and with a part shaped so that it will not turn within a corre-
spondingly-shaped hole in the longitudinal bar through which it passes, a shouldered
portion of such bar being used to prevent endway movement thereof in one direction
when only one projection is used, namely to prevent endway movement in the other
direction, the vertical bars being simply placed in position within the longitudinal
bars without need for subsequent alteration or modification of themselves or of the
parts of the longitudinal bars through which they pass, or of additions thereto, to
retain them permanently in the longitudinal bars, substantially as described, for the
purpose set forth.
8. The several modifications by which the vertical bars of vertical-bar fencing
are retained within the longitudinal bars thereof, substantially as described with
reference to the drawings herewith, for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 4th day of November 1891
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton, Agent for the Applicants.