Patent Description:
Overhanging bracket assemblies are often required at the top of a closure such as a fence or wall to prevent animals or people climbing over the closure. Conventionally inclined brackets are used, which brackets include a first part engageable against the closure, and an inclined part extending therefrom which will generally extend upwardly and inwardly. A further top part at a greater inclination to the closure may extend at least generally perpendicularly to the closure.

Conventionally mesh, netting, wires or other barrier materials may be provided extending between the brackets. Existing arrangements often require a number of different brackets usable in different situations. For instance inclined brackets may be required for use in corners where the bracket inclined part will usually be required to extend at an inclination in a required direction of around <NUM>° to the first part. Also longer brackets may be needed for instance for lower height closures.

<CIT> relates to improvements in fence post extension arms.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a barrier assembly, the assembly comprising a bracket member which comprises a first mounting part and a second barrier part extending in use at a vertical inclination relative thereto, the assembly also including an alignment adaptor mountable to a surface of a closure member, with the bracket member mountable to the alignment adaptor, such that the mounting part is inclined relative to the closure member surface, about a vertical axis.

The alignment adaptor may include a first formation mountable to the surface of a closure member, and a second formation to which a bracket member is mountable.

The first formation may include a plurality of through holes through which a fastening means can extend. The second formation may include an engagement face against which a barrier member can engage, which engagement face will be inclined relative to the surface of a closure member to which the alignment adaptor is mounted.

The engagement face may extend at substantially <NUM>° to the surface of a closure member to which the alignment adaptor is mounted.

The engagement face may be configured such that it can be inclined in either direction relative to the surface of a closure, and may be movable between inclinations in either direction by rotating through <NUM>°.

The second formation may include a plurality of holes, which may be threaded.

In one arrangement the alignment adaptor is in the form of a hollow body which is at least generally triangular in plan view. The hollow body may be made of a plastics material.

In a further arrangement the alignment adaptor may have a generally L shaped configuration. The connection between the limbs of the L may be inclined, and the second formation may be provided in the inclined connection.

According to a second aspect of the disclosure there is provided a bracket member comprising a first mounting part, and a second barrier part extending at a vertical inclination relative thereto, the assembly also including an extension member, which extension member is mountable on a closure member, with a bracket member mountable to the extension member so as to extend higher than if the bracket member was mounted directly to the closure member.

Third mounting formations may be provided on the extension member to enable mounting of the extension member to a closure, and the third mounting formations may comprise a plurality of spaced holes.

A base formation may be provided on the extension member to receive the lower end of a bracket member mounted thereto.

The extension member may have a base part locatable against a closure member, with side walls extending from the base part such that a bracket member can slidingly locate between the side walls. The side walls may taper outwardly in an upwards direction. Inward projections may be provided on the side walls to retain a bracket member therebetween.

According to a third aspect of the disclosure there is provided a bracket member comprising a first mounting part, and a second barrier part extending in use at a vertical inclination relative thereto, the bracket member having a generally channel section profile with a base and side walls.

The side walls may taper outwardly on the mounting part towards the barrier part. The side walls may taper inwardly on the barrier part away from the mounting part.

The bracket member may also include a third part extending from the barrier part at a greater inclination to the mounting part. The side walls of the third part may taper inwardly away from the barrier.

A plurality of adjacent through holes may be provided in the base and side walls of the barrier part, to permit mounting of items to the bracket member. Adjacent through holes may also be provided in the third part of the barrier member.

The base of the bracket member channel section may be profiled and may have a raised central section which may extend for the majority of the width of the channel section.

The side walls of the channel section may be inclined outwardly.

The bracket members may be made of metal and for instance steel, and may be made by stamping or pressing.

The extension members may be made of metal and for instance steel, and may be made by stamping or pressing.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a first kit of parts for forming a barrier assembly, the kit of parts including a plurality of bracket members and alignment adaptors according to any of the preceding paragraphs.

According to a yet further aspect of the disclosure there is provided a second kit of parts for forming a barrier assembly, the kit of parts including a plurality of bracket members and extension members according to any of the preceding paragraphs.

The second kit of parts may also include a plurality of alignment adaptors.

The invention further provides a barrier assembly including a plurality of bracket members according to any of the preceding paragraphs, with barrier means extending between the bracket members.

The barrier assembly may also include one or more extension members.

The barrier assembly may also include one or more alignment adaptors.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-.

The drawings show various barrier assemblies and components used therein to provide an overhanging barrier arrangement. The assembly in particular comprises one or more of bracket members (<FIG>), an alignment adaptor (<FIG>) and/or an extension member (<FIG>).

<FIG> shows a bracket <NUM> member comprises a first mounting part <NUM> formed of a generally channel cross section as shown in <FIG>, with a base <NUM> with an upper raised part <NUM> and side walls <NUM> which diverge gently outwardly. The side walls <NUM> increase in height away from their lower end <NUM> in use. A plurality of spaced mounting holes <NUM> are provided in the base <NUM> of the mounting part <NUM>. The mounting part <NUM> connects to a barrier part <NUM> which is inclined relative to the mounting part to provide an overhang in use. The side walls <NUM> reduce gently in height in the barrier part <NUM> away from the mounting part <NUM>.

A plurality of spaced pairs <NUM> of adjacent fixing holes <NUM> are provided respectively in the base <NUM> of the channel of the barrier part, and adjacent in respective side wall <NUM> for mounting a cable tie <NUM> as shown for example in <FIG>, to mount an item or material to the bracket member <NUM>. As can be seen from <FIG> the pairs <NUM> of fixing holes are provided alternately on opposite sides of the barrier part <NUM>.

A further top part <NUM> extends from the free end of the barrier part <NUM> and again the height of the side walls <NUM> decreases gently along the top part <NUM>, and a pair <NUM> of adjacent fixing holes are provided on each side, with a final mounting hole <NUM> at the end of the top part <NUM>.

The bracket members <NUM> may be formed by stamping or pressing of galvanised steel. The formation of the base <NUM> of the channel has been found to provide significant additional strength relative to a non profiled channel, which therefore permits thinner material to be used whilst obtaining equal or enhanced performance. This therefore provides a weight and cost reduction.

<FIG> show a first alignment adaptor <NUM> which is in the form of a profiled open body of a glass filled plastics material made for instance by injection moulding. The alignment adaptor <NUM> provides an open surface <NUM> engageable against a fence post <NUM> or the like. The adaptor <NUM> also provides a flat engagement face <NUM> inclined at substantially <NUM>° to the open surface <NUM>. A gently curved face <NUM> extends between the open surface <NUM> and engagement face <NUM>. A pair of mounting holes <NUM> are provided in the junction between the engagement face <NUM> and curved face <NUM>, to permit mounting of the adaptor <NUM> to a fence post <NUM> or similar. A further pair of holes <NUM> are provided in the engagement face <NUM>, which holes <NUM> are threaded to permit a bracket member <NUM> to be mounted to the alignment adaptor <NUM>, by screws engaging in the holes <NUM>.

<FIG> show a corner adaptor mounted <NUM> on a face <NUM> of a square fence post <NUM>, thereby meaning that the bracket member <NUM> extends at <NUM>° relative to the two perpendicular sides <NUM> of a fence which meet at the fence post <NUM>.

<FIG> show a second alignment adaptor <NUM>. In this instance the alignment adaptor <NUM> has a generally L shape cross section in plan view, except that there is an inclined web <NUM> between the two limbs <NUM> of the L shape, defining the apex of the L. Three mounting holes <NUM> are provided in the web <NUM> to permit mounting of the adaptor <NUM> to a fence post <NUM> or the like. A pair of mounting holes <NUM> are provided on a one of the limbs <NUM> of the L with a threaded boss <NUM> to permit a bracket member <NUM> to be mounted thereto. The second alignment adaptor <NUM> is formed for instance of folded steel.

<FIG> show an extension member <NUM> which enables a bracket member <NUM> to extend higher than would otherwise be the case. The extension member <NUM> is formed of plain channel section with the height of the side walls <NUM> increasing upwardly in use. A plurality of mounting holes <NUM> are provided in the base of the channel of the extension member <NUM>, to permit mounting thereof to a fence post <NUM> or the like, or an alignment adaptor <NUM>, <NUM>. Spaced upwardly from the lower end of the extension member <NUM> is an outwardly extending flap <NUM> to supportingly receive the lower end of a bracket member <NUM> mounted thereto. A pair of folded tabs <NUM> are provided extending inwardly from the side walls <NUM> of the channel at an upper end of the extension member <NUM>. An extension member <NUM> can again be provided by stamping or pressing galvanised steel.

A bracket member <NUM> can be mounted to the extension member <NUM> by sliding the lower end of the mounting part <NUM> so as to engage against the flap <NUM>, with the tabs <NUM> retaining the bracket member <NUM> in a sliding fit relative to the channel of the extension member <NUM>. Screws can then pass through a hole <NUM> in the base <NUM> of the bracket member <NUM> and the extension member <NUM>, to engage in a fence post <NUM> for example as shown in <FIG>, or an alignment adaptor <NUM> as shown for instance in <FIG>.

Therefore a barrier assembly is provided which can be formed from a number of bracket members, alignment adaptors and/or extension members. This permits the same bracket members to be usable in a straight section of fencing such as shown for instance in <FIG>, or in corners as shown for instance in <FIG>. The extension members enable the same bracket members to be used for instance with lower fences or walls. Therefore a kit of parts can be provided with only two or three different components but which can be used in combination as required.

A range of modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claim 1:
A barrier assembly, the assembly comprising:
a bracket member (<NUM>) which comprises a first mounting part (<NUM>) and a second barrier part, the second barrier part (<NUM>) extending in use at an angle inclined from the vertical relative to the first mounting part; and
an alignment adaptor (<NUM>) mountable to a surface of a fence post (<NUM>), wherein the alignment adaptor comprises an open surface (<NUM>) engageable against the surface of the fence post and a flat engagement face (<NUM>) inclined relative to the open surface at substantially <NUM>°;
wherein the bracket member is mountable to the open surface of the alignment adaptor, such that the mounting part is inclined relative to the surface of the fence post, about a vertical axis.