Patent Description:
To provide for the privacy of owners of a plot, garden slats or garden panels have been developed which can be slid into a pre-provided wiring around the plot. Such wiring, dependent on the manufacturer, is manufactured with varying dimensions. For example, the distance between two vertical wires can be <NUM> or <NUM>. Accordingly, the manufacturer of the garden slats must also provide varying dimensions for the garden slats to be slided in.

It is also important for the manufacturer of the garden slats to provide good clamping of the slats in the wiring. It is known that severe gusts of wind can be sufficiently powerful to force such garden slats out of the wiring. To this end, clamping elements were developed such as reported, for example, in <CIT>. <CIT> describes a clamping element which supports the garden slats and also shows a top profile to enclose the upper side of the garden slats. In addition, one or more cross-profiles, called 'nose profiles' in jargon, are provided to sufficiently robustly enclose the garden slats. Such cross-profiles are mounted into horizontal passages or loops provided thereto, and exert a transversal pressure on the garden slats.

<CIT> discloses a panel linking device to provide a junction between two adjacent panels. The panel connecting device of <CIT> comprises a joint consisting of two profile elements, one of which comprises a Christmas tree-shaped protrusion to be housed in a corresponding recess of the other element.

<CIT> discloses also a device for linking two panels with Christmas tree-shaped resistance elements.

<CIT> discloses a railing construction wherein the panels in the railing can be connected by two lengthwise profiles, wherein the spacing between these two profiles is provided by a screw.

<CIT> discloses a linking system with two profiles.

Since manufacturers of garden fencing do not make use of standard dimensions, the dimensions of the horizontal passages or loops will also vary according to the manufacturer. Upon purchase, the consumer must be able to select the appropriate cross-profiles. However, the correct determination of the dimensions of said loops and the corresponding dimensions of the associated cross-slats do not always prove to be apparent. Because of this, consumers nevertheless often purchase cross-profiles with wrong dimensions.

It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide a cross-profile for clamping slats into a garden fence, wherein said cross-profile can be applied for varying dimensions. In addition, such a cross-profile should be easy to use, possess sufficient mechanical strength to realise a desired clamping of the garden slats and to satisfy visual expectations of a consumer. The present invention seeks to provide a solution for one or more of aforementioned problems or shortcomings.

To this end, the invention provides an assemblable cross-profile for garden fencing.

In a first aspect, the invention provides an assemblable cross-profile <NUM>, <NUM> for garden fence, the cross-profile comprising a base profile <NUM> and an aspect profile <NUM>, and one or more spacing elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to affix said base profile <NUM> and said aspect profile <NUM> at two or more distances from each other, and wherein said base profile <NUM> and said aspect profile <NUM> are manufactured from a thermoplastic material, wherein said aspect profile <NUM> is provided with a protrusion <NUM> and wherein said base profile <NUM> is provided with a recess <NUM> for receiving said protrusion <NUM>, or vice versa, wherein said protrusion <NUM> is provided with a resistance element <NUM> and wherein said recess <NUM> is provided with a complementary resistance element <NUM>, <NUM>, wherein said resistance elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> have a round cross section.

This offers as an advantage that, depending on the dimensions of the garden fence, the cross-profile can be assembled to satisfy the dimensions of the garden fence.

The explicit features, advantages and objectives of the present invention shall become further clear for the person skilled in the technical field of the invention after reading the here following detailed description of the embodiment of the invention and of the figures enclosed herein. The figures serve to explain the invention further, without thereby limiting the scope of the invention.

Unless defined otherwise, all terms used in the description of the invention, including technical and scientific terms, have the meaning that is generally understood by the person skilled in the technical field of the invention. For a better appraisal of the description of the invention, the following terms are explicitly explained.

In this document, "a", "an" and "the" refer to both the singular and plural unless the context clearly implies otherwise. For example, "a segment" means one or more than one segment.

Where "approximately" or "about" are used in this document for a measurable quantity, a parameter, a period of time or moment, and such, then variations are meant of +/-<NUM>% or less, preferably +/-<NUM>% or less, more preferably +/-<NUM>% or less, still more preferably +/-<NUM>% or less, and even still more preferably +/-<NUM>% or less than and of the cited value, insofar such variations are applicable in the described invention. Herewith it should be understood, however, that the value of the quantity for which the term "approximately" or "about" is used, is itself specifically disclosed.

The terms "comprise", "comprising", "consist of", "consisting of", "provided with", "contain", "containing", "include", "including", "encompass", "encompassing" are synonyms and are inclusive or open terms indicating the presence of that which follows, and which do not exclude or prevent the presence of other components, features, elements, members, steps, known from or described in the prior art.

The citation of numerical intervals by the end points comprises all whole numbers, fractions and/or real numbers between the end points, including these end points.

The terms "base profile" and "aspect profile" should be regarded as interchangeable. In the context of the present invention, the term "aspect profile" is used to preferably denote a profile which is to be provided with a desired visual aspect, such as shape, colour, relief, for example. In the context of the present invention, the term "base profile" is used to denote a profile which serves as base for affixing said aspect profile. The terms "spacing element" or "spacing elements" should be regarded as an element or a set of elements which are provided to bear said base profile and said aspect profile at two or more distances from each other. The term "affix" should be understood as synonymous for the term "to bear" or "to position" and should be understood as assembling said base profile and said aspect profile at a fixed distance with respect to each other. More specifically, the term "affix" refers to assembling said base profile and said aspect profile at a fixed distance from respective base areas with respect to each other.

The cross-profile <NUM>, <NUM> comprises a base profile <NUM> and an aspect profile <NUM>, and one or more spacing elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to affix said base profile <NUM> and said aspect profile <NUM> at two or more distances from each other. Preferably said assemblable cross-profile relates to a cross-profile for a garden fence wherein a series of slats is provided between a series of vertical wirings.

This offers as an advantage that, depending on the dimensions of the garden fence, the cross-profile can be assembled to satisfy the dimensions of the garden fence. In this way, a consumer does not need to determine the precise dimensions of the garden fence beforehand.

Said base profile <NUM> and said aspect profile <NUM> are both provided with one or more spacing elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to affix said base profile <NUM> and said aspect profile <NUM> at two or more distances from each other.

Said spacing elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are provided to affix said base profile <NUM> and said aspect profile <NUM> at two to four, and preferably two or three, varying distances from each other. By providing a limited number of varying distances, the operator, the consumer or the installer can easily assemble the cross-profile. Most preferably, said spacing elements are provided to affix said base profile <NUM> and said aspect profile <NUM> at two varying distances from each other.

Said aspect profile <NUM> is provided with a protrusion <NUM> and wherein said base profile <NUM> is provided with a recess <NUM> for receiving said protrusion <NUM>, or vice versa. Such a protrusion and recess preferably interconnect and offer a simple embodiment to mutually anchor or affix said base profile and said aspect profile.

Said protrusion <NUM> is provided with a resistance element <NUM> and wherein said recess <NUM> is provided with a complementary resistance element <NUM>, <NUM>. Said resistance elements allow said base profile and said aspect profile to be affixed at two or more discrete, predetermined distances from each other. In this way, the cross-profile can be provided to satisfy two or more dimensions, preferably two or more commercially common dimensions.

Said resistance elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> have a round cross section. This offers as an advantage that said base profile and said aspect profile can simply slide into and out of each other from a first position at the level of resistance element <NUM> to a second position at the level of resistance element <NUM>.

Said base profile <NUM> and said aspect profile <NUM> are manufactured from a thermoplastic material. More preferably, said spacing elements are manufactured from a thermoplastic material, and still more preferably said base profile and said aspect profile, including spacing elements and resistance elements, are completely manufactured from a thermoplastic material. Thermoplastic materials are readily mouldable by means of extrusion and are less rigid than thermosetting or metallic materials. Because of this, the resistance elements are flexible during assembly of said base profile and aspect profile, as a result of which a transition can be simply made from a first to a second position without causing damage to the spacing elements in doing so. Preferably, said base profile and said aspect profile are manufactured from polyvinylchloride (PVC) with a certain amount of softening agent sufficient to guarantee the required flexibility of the resistance elements. The person skilled in the art shall appreciate that the required amount of softening agent also depends on the thickness of the resistance elements. Preferably, said base profile and said aspect profile are manufactured from a material having the same composition and mechanical properties, such as flexibility.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an assemblable cross-profile according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein said base profile <NUM> is provided with two raised edges <NUM>, <NUM>. This offers as an advantage that a closed cross section of the cross-profile can be realised. In this way, aesthetic desires can be satisfied, but it can also be realised that biological material, e.g. from the garden environment, does not accumulate in the space between base profile and aspect profile. Preferably, said two raised edges <NUM>, <NUM> are provided at an angle α less than <NUM>°, such as indicated in <FIG>. More preferably, said angle α is chosen between <NUM>° and <NUM>° and still more preferably between <NUM>° and <NUM>°. Most preferably, said angle α is equal to <NUM>°, <NUM>°, <NUM>°, <NUM>°, <NUM>°, <NUM>°, <NUM>°, <NUM>° or <NUM>°, or any value located therein between.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an assemblable cross-profile according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the raised edges <NUM>, <NUM> of said base profile <NUM> are provided with a raised edge <NUM>, <NUM> at an angle of γ. The angle γ is chosen such that, in the second state in which base profile and aspect profile lie closer to each other, the raised edges <NUM>, <NUM> of the base profile and <NUM>, <NUM> of the aspect profile come to lie contiguously in a same plane. Thus the closed cross section is realised.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an assemblable cross-profile according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the raised edges <NUM>, <NUM> of said base profile <NUM> are curved. Still more preferably, said raised edges <NUM>, <NUM> are round. This offers as an advantage that, upon assembling base profile and aspect profile, the slanted raised edges of the aspect profile can touch the raised edges of the base profile at any predetermined distance between base profile and aspect profile whatsoever.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an assemblable cross-profile according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein said aspect profile <NUM> is provided with two raised edges <NUM>, <NUM>. This offers as an advantage that a closed cross section of the cross-profile can be realised. In this way, aesthetic desires can be satisfied, but it can also be realised that biological material, e.g. from the garden environment, does not accumulate in the space between base profile and aspect profile. Preferably, said two raised edges <NUM>, <NUM> are provided at an angle β greater than <NUM>°, such as indicated in <FIG>. More preferably, said angle β is chosen between <NUM>° and <NUM>° and, still more preferably, between <NUM>° and <NUM>°. Most preferably, said angle β is equal to <NUM>°, <NUM>°, <NUM>°, <NUM>°, <NUM>°, <NUM>°, <NUM>°, <NUM>° or <NUM>°, or any value located therein between.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an assemblable cross-profile according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein angles α and β are supplementary angles. It is meant therewith that the sum of α and β is equal to <NUM>°, or at least is equal to approximately <NUM>°. In this way, the raised edges of base profile and aspect profile are the extension of each other, so forming two closed sides of a trapezium.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an assemblable cross-profile according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein said base profile <NUM> and said aspect profile <NUM> are provided with a varying thickness. In a more preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an assemblable cross-profile according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein said base profile <NUM> is provided with a greater thickness than said aspect profile <NUM>. Because said base profile and said aspect profile are manufactured from a same material with the same mechanical properties, such as flexibility, the raised edges of the aspect profile with a thinner thickness will nevertheless flex more simply opposite with respect to the raised edges of the base profile. In this way it can be assured that the raised edges interconnect closely.

In a second aspect the invention provides a kit comprising:.

This offers as an advantage that an assemblable package can be supplied to a consumer, and that the consumer can choose the dimensions of the cross-profile according to the dimensions of the local garden fence. In this way, a consumer assures himself of not purchasing a cross-profile with the wrong dimensions.

In a third aspect, the invention provides a fence with cross-profile <NUM>, <NUM> according to the first aspect of the invention.

The invention also provides a method for making an assemblable cross-profile <NUM>, <NUM> according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein a base profile <NUM> and an aspect profile <NUM> are separately extruded, and wherein said base profile <NUM> and said aspect profile <NUM> are both provided with spacing elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to affix said base profile <NUM> and said aspect profile <NUM> at two or more distances from each other.

The invention shall now be further explained on the basis of the following example, without being limited thereto in any respect.

<FIG> shows schematically a perspective of an assembled cross-profile <NUM>, <NUM> for enclosing a series of garden slats <NUM> in a garden fence <NUM>, <NUM>. The garden fence comprises a series of horizontal wirings 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d,. and a series of vertical wirings 5a, 5b,. between which a series of garden slats 3a, 3b,. is clamped. At the level of the horizontal wiring 4b, the framework <NUM>, <NUM> shows a horizontal loop for bearing a cross-profile <NUM>, <NUM>. The garden slats 3a, 3b,. are supported at the bottom by means of a clamping clip 6a, 6b,. and are clamped at the top by means of a span <NUM>. The assembled cross-profile <NUM>, <NUM> shows a base profile <NUM> and an aspect profile <NUM>, which in assembled state designate a closed, trapezoid cross section. According to the embodiment of <FIG>, the shortest base <NUM> of the assembled cross-profile <NUM>, <NUM> is directed towards the wiring 4b.

<FIG> shows an alternative embodiment for the embodiment according to <FIG>, wherein the horizontal loop for bearing the assembled cross-profile <NUM>, <NUM> is provided with two horizontal wirings, 4b and 4c. For such an embodiment of the wiring <NUM>, <NUM>, it can be opted to bear the assembled cross-profile <NUM>, <NUM> with the longest base <NUM> directed towards the wiring 4b, 4c.

<FIG> show in side view a detail of the embodiments according to <FIG> and <FIG>, respectively. Dependent on the garden fence, the assembled cross-profile <NUM>, <NUM> can be provided with a height D1 or D2.

<FIG> shows in further detail a side view of the assembled cross-profile <NUM>, <NUM> in assembled state. At the bottom of <FIG>, the base profile <NUM> is shown with the aspect profile <NUM> beared therein at an established, fixed distance. By pressing base profile <NUM> and aspect profile <NUM> towards each other, the two profiles can be beared closer to each other in a thinner, fixed state. To this end, base profile <NUM> and aspect profile <NUM> are provided with spacing means, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively. The protrusion <NUM> stands upright on the base area <NUM> of the aspect profile <NUM> and is provided with a spherical edge <NUM> at its extremity. Opposite thereto, a recess <NUM> is formed by means of two raised edges <NUM> and <NUM> standing upright on the base area <NUM> of the base profile <NUM>. The recess <NUM> has a width corresponding to, and preferably not greater than, the width of the protrusion <NUM> of the aspect profile <NUM>. The width of the protrusion <NUM> is even implemented in a slightly narrower dimension with respect to the width of the recess <NUM>, e.g. <NUM> as opposed to <NUM>. In this way, no permanent stresses are exerted by the protrusion <NUM> on the raised edges <NUM> and <NUM>. The recess <NUM> is provided with two locally widened parts <NUM> and <NUM> with a width to clamp the spherical edge <NUM>. In that regard, the diameter of the spherical edge <NUM> corresponds with the diameter of the two local cavities <NUM>, <NUM>. The raised edges <NUM> and <NUM> of the recess <NUM> are manufactured from a flexible material such as PVC with plasticizer, for example, such that the spherical edge <NUM> can be moved from the position at the level of widened part <NUM> to the position at the level of widened part <NUM>, or vice versa, by slightly pressing the two raised edges <NUM> and <NUM> outwards during the transition. Thus, the height of the assembled cross-profile can be readily adapted to the dimensions of the horizontal loop of the fence. Alternatively, it can be opted to slide the base profile <NUM> and the aspect profile <NUM> away from each other in the longitudinal direction, and to subsequently slide these in the desired position again in the longitudinal direction.

At both sides of the base area <NUM>, the base profile <NUM> is provided with raised edges <NUM>, <NUM> at an angle of α. In a same way, the base area <NUM> of the aspect profile <NUM> is provided with a slanted raised edge <NUM>, <NUM> at an angle of β. In that regard, care is taken to ensure that angles α and β are supplementary. That is, the sum of α and β is <NUM>. Thereby the raised edges <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, <NUM> come to lie contiguously in a same plane. In this way, a closed trapezoid cross section can be obtained. A closed cross section is important for preventing ingress of rain water, biological or other material in the cross-profile.

The aspect profile <NUM> and the base profile <NUM> are preferably manufactured from a same, lightly flexible material. However, the thickness of the aspect profile <NUM> is less than the thickness of the base profile <NUM>, e.g. <NUM> as opposed to <NUM>. When the cross-profile <NUM>, <NUM> is fixed in the closest state, that is, the spherical edge <NUM> is beared at the level of the local, spherical cavity <NUM>, the raised edges <NUM>, <NUM> will fold slightly outwards. This will increase the angle β. In order to still arrive at a closed trapezoid cross section, the raised edges <NUM>, <NUM> are each provided with a raised edge <NUM>, <NUM> at an angle of γ. The angle γ is chosen such that in the closest state, the raised edges <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, <NUM> come to lie contiguously in a same plane. Thus the closed cross section is realised.

In <FIG>, the cross-profile is shown in a closest, assembled state. The raised edges <NUM>, <NUM> of the aspect profile <NUM> are pressed slightly outwards in this regard, which is expressed by a larger angle P', wherein β' > β. The raised edges <NUM>, <NUM> come to abut the raised edges <NUM>, <NUM> of the base profile <NUM>, so forming a closed trapezoid cross section.

Claim 1:
Assemblable cross-profile (<NUM>,<NUM>) for garden fence, the cross-profile comprising a base profile (<NUM>) and an aspect profile (<NUM>), and one or more spacing elements to affix said base profile (<NUM>) and said aspect profile (<NUM>) at two or more distances from each other, and wherein said base profile (<NUM>) and said aspect profile (<NUM>) are manufactured from a thermoplastic material, wherein said aspect profile (<NUM>) is provided with a protrusion (<NUM>) and wherein said base profile (<NUM>) is provided with a recess (<NUM>) for receiving said protrusion (<NUM>), or vice versa, wherein said protrusion (<NUM>) is provided with a resistance element (<NUM>) and wherein said recess (<NUM>) is provided with a complementary resistance element (<NUM>, <NUM>), characterised in that said resistance elements (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) have a round cross section.