(19)
(11) EP 1 369 543 A2

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION
published in accordance with Art. 158(3) EPC

(88) Date of publication A3:
01.05.2003

(43) Date of publication:
10.12.2003 Bulletin 2003/50

(21) Application number: 02714214.0

(22) Date of filing: 14.03.2002
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7E04H 1/00
(86) International application number:
PCT/ES0200/118
(87) International publication number:
WO 0207/2979 (19.09.2002 Gazette 2002/38)
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR

(30) Priority: 14.03.2001 ES 200100607 U

(71) Applicant: Plastic Fences S.A.
08224 Terrasa Barcelona (ES)

(72) Inventors:
  • AUSTRICH PASTOR, Antonio, Maria
    E-08224 Terrasa (Barcelona) (ES)
  • RAMON BUENO, José
    E-08006 Barcelona (ES)

(74) Representative: Ungria Lopez, Javier et al
Avda. Ramon y Cajal, 78
28043 Madrid
28043 Madrid (ES)

   


(54) BARRIER FOR ENCLOSURES AND SIGNAGE


(57) The fence consists of a plastic module (1), with elements for connection with other equal fences in order to form a continuity and achieve a fenced section, the connection elements of which are formed from lugs (4) in one end and rods (6) in the opposite end for being housed in openings (5) in those lugs (4) when the fences (1) are connected in a row. The lugs (4') emerging from the rods (6) also present an upper projection (8) for connecting with the housing of a lug (17) of a complementary fence (12), with the latter having means of connection with other fences equal to it and with fences (1), these means of connection of the complementary fence (12) consisting of lugs (14) with a rod (15) and housings (18) in lugs (16) of the opposite end. The complementary fence (12), as with the fence (1), will include removable legs for support on the ground, though said complementary fence (12) is able to be suspended between two fences (1) forming a particular kind of fence for certain situations or cases, the complementary fence (12) being of notably lower height than the fence (1). Both the fence (1) and the complementary fence (12) have complementary lugs in one of their sides with housings provided in the opposite side, in order to constitute means of centring and securing of the fences when they are stacked on top of each other.







Description

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION



[0001] As stated in the title of this descriptive report, the present invention refers to a fence for enclosures and signalling, which has been conceived with certain characteristics such that permit features to be obtained that are new and better than those provided by means of conventional fences of the same type.

[0002] The object of the invention is to provide the corresponding sector with certain mobile fences in order to constitute a barrier for preventing passage and/or constitute possible enclosures, as well as for separating zones or sectors, serving moreover as publicity and signalling support. The actual fence itself includes suitable means of hooking in its ends so that the fences can be joined together, and also having the means for centring and retention among fences when they are arranged stacked on top of each other in a situation of rest or storage. The fence has other special means for the hooking of complementary or additional modules, also constituting fences, usable in particular circumstances or places.

[0003] It furthermore includes various kinds of connectable rotary legs to facilitate their repair and palletization.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION



[0004] Numerous kinds of fence are known for creating barriers and/or enclosures and for impeding passage to the zone demarcated by the fence. Fences are also known which, as well as performing the basic function just mentioned, are also likewise and simultaneously used as a support for publicity.

[0005] In general, fences are created by means of a module in which a framework or skeleton is established with stiffening cross-members or sills, and with areas occupied by flat surfaces for publicity, the end uprights of the framework or skeleton having complementary hooking means, basically consisting of a kind of inverted L-shaped bolt and an opening made in a lateral lug of the opposing upright in order to permit successive hooking between fences and be able to achieve the enclosure, barrier, etc., with the extent or length that is wished.

[0006] Said fences are complemented with lower feet or supports, in some cases fixed and in others being mobile or rotary, and even removable.

[0007] In this regard, mention can be made of numerous documents corresponding to Utility Models and even Invention Patents. So, in Spanish Utility Models Nos. 243.941 and 285.775, a description is made of individual publicity fences of the type referred to, with fixed supports, while Utility Models 208.819 and 212.166, also Spanish, describe fences with mobile and/or removable supports.

[0008] Moreover, Spanish Utility Models Nos. 212.166 and 9302884, among others, describe fences with lateral hooking means based on a lug with a vertical opening and an inverted L-shaped pivot for hooking onto that vertical opening, permitting fences to be linked up in a row.

[0009] In addition to the aforementioned documents, a modular fence is known described in Spanish Invention Patent P 9600742 and Addition Certificate P 9800987, said fence including a moulded rectangular framework defining a smooth internal panel for publicity, plus openings and/or ribs for lightening and stiffening the module or fence, having rotary and removable supports or feet, as well as lateral hooking elements, in one case consisting of lugs that can be inserted into each other as a consequence of the fact that the lugs at each end have a cavity for locating the projections of the lugs of the other end. In the other case, the means of hooking consist of pins that emerge above and below a lug, which are housed in openings made in lugs in the opposite end.

[0010] This type of fence described in the last two documents mentioned suffer from the inconvenience that they cannot be linked with other different fences or modules which might be used in certain places and circumstances, and that they cannot be palletized for transport and storage, nor do they admit different types of legs, which makes the logistics of their handling more expensive.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION



[0011] The fence of the invention is of the type consisting of a rectangular module or framework with vertical cross-members for stiffening and preferably produced from a plastic material, with one or more defined zones with smooth surfaces for publicity, in addition to lower rotary and removable support feet, made of metal or plastic and metal, with complementary lateral elements for hooking up between modules or fences, with any configuration and size being able to be adopted, both of the fence itself and of the feet.

[0012] On the basis of those characteristics, the fence of the present invention presents as its first novel point the fact that the lugs from which the hooking rods extend downwards display a vertical projection in the upward direction ending in a lug directed towards the inside, determining a means of special hooking on a housing defined by a type of lateral ring projecting from an appropriate point of the respective end corresponding to a special fence, one which can be used in determined situations or circumstances as a complement to the normal or basic fence, this complementary fence being of notably lower height and, in addition to the type of ring defining the housing, also being fitted with a lug on that same end and with a hooking rod on the opposite end, the lug having an opening for the hooking of the rod.

[0013] Therefore, the first novel characteristic of the invention is the incorporation of a special means of hooking permitting the use of complementary fences that can be hooked together and to the basic or normal fence.

[0014] Another novel characteristic of the fence of the invention consists of the incorporation of pivots on one of the sides of the fence, in a position corresponding to the corners, which are located in holes or cavities provided for that purpose on the other side of the fence, determining a means of centring in order to achieve correct stacking of fences on top of each other, permitting their palletization, which is highly advantageous both in storage, on account of the minimum volume they occupy, and in transportation. In addition to the said pivots and corresponding corner cavities, the fence also presents other pivots and complementary housings in the lateral lugs in which the openings are made for the rods, and in the lugs from which emerge the rods themselves, those pivots and housings likewise determining means for the correct centring and positioning of the fences stacked on top of each other.

[0015] Another novel characteristic consists of the fact that the hooks of the complementary fence, which are independent of the aforementioned special hooks for the latter, present the particular feature that the openings made in one of the ends of the fence, for the location or housing of the corresponding vertical rods provided in the opposite end, are open towards the outside in order to permit the lateral entrance of the vertical rods, these rods being retained as a consequence of the fact that those lateral accesses of the openings or housing have a narrowed entrance, and the elasticity of the material it is made of permits its deformation and corresponding lateral entrance of the rods, in such a way that once those rods have become located in the housings the elasticity of the material causes the entrance to become narrow again, thereby preventing disconnection of the fences unless this is intentional.

[0016] The complementary fence, of notably lower height than the normal or basic fence, can be linked with the latter or even be linked between two normal fences, in such a way that the complementary fence will even be able to include appropriate legs so that, when hooked to the end of a normal fence, it remains resting on the ground just as the latter does, while when it is hooked between two normal fences it will remain suspended, even permitting the arrangement of two complementary fences at different heights between two normal fences, with differences in levels being overcome thanks to the use of feet with different types of height.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES



[0017] In order to complement the description that is going to be made below, and with the aim of aiding a better comprehension of the characteristics of the invention, this descriptive report is accompanied by a set of drawings on the basis of which the innovations and advantages of the fence for enclosures produced in accordance with the object of the invention will be more easily understood.

Figure 1 shows a front elevation view, a side elevation view and an upper plan view of the fence with the novel characteristics forming the object of the invention.

Figure 2 shows an enlargement of the details A, B, C, D, E and F circled in figure 1, where the characteristics of those details corresponding to novel points of the fence of the invention can be clearly seen.

Figure 3 shows an upper plan view of various fences stacked on top of each other, for palletized handling.

Figure 4 shows the corresponding elevation and plan views of the complementary fence forming part of the object of the invention.

Figure 5 shows an upper plan view of various complementary fences like that represented in the previous figure, stacked on top of each other.

Figure 6 shows an elevation view of a pair of complementary fences hooked between two normal or basic fences and being left suspended.

Figure 7 shows various complementary fences with different types of feet that can be incorporated, as can be done with the basic fences.


DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT



[0018] In view of the aforementioned figures, it can be seen how the normal or basic fence 1, made from a plastic material, shapes a kind of rectangular framework with vertical cross-members 2 and a smooth central surface 3 for publicity, being able to have any other configuration, with cross-members or sills and one or more smooth zones for publicity. On one of its ends, this fence includes a pair of lugs 4, one close to the lower edge and the other above its mid-height, in such a manner that these lugs 4 respectively establish vertical openings or holes 5 for the housing of corresponding rods 6 provided for the purpose in other lugs 4' provided in the opposite end, so that the rods 6 are housed in the openings or holes 5 in order to achieve a link or hooking between fences 1 in order to form a barrier of the desired length, which depends of course on the number of fences that are provided.

[0019] The fence 1 is complemented with lower support legs 7 which can be fittable/removable, with any configuration, and which are rotary, so that they can be positioned transversely as represented in outline in figure 1 itself, specifically in the upper plan view, or those legs 7 can be arranged in the same plane as the fence 1 in order to permit stacking by means of laying the fences 1 on top of each other, as represented in figure 3.

[0020] One of the novel characteristics presented by the fence 1 is that the lugs 4' of one of the ends present, in opposition to the rods 6, certain upper projections 8, provided vertically and ending in respective expansions 9 oriented towards the inside of the actual end of the fence, in such a way that those upper projections 8 are provided for a specific purpose, as will be explained further below.

[0021] The lugs 4 and 4' are staggered in terms of height so that the fences remain at the same level when hooked together.

[0022] On one of the sides of the fence 1, and in correspondence with points close to its corners, respective pivots 10 have been provided, slightly tronco-conical in shape, as represented in detail D of figure 2, these pivots being intended for being introduced into complementary cavities or housings 10' established for the purpose on the opposite side, thus permitting correct stacking of the fence 1 on top of other fences, as represented in figure 3, these pivots 10 and their housings 10' constituting means of centring in order to permit the fences to be correctly situated when being stacked.

[0023] In addition to those pivots 10 and their housings 10', further pivots 11 have likewise been provided in the lugs 4, as represented in detail B, there also existing other pivots 11' as represented in detail C, intended for being housed in complementary cavities established for the purpose in the corresponding zones of the lugs and ends of the fence 1, and collaborating in the centring and correct positioning when stacking the fences.

[0024] In detail F of figure 2 can be seen one of the cross-members 2 of the fence 1, with a transverse rib 2' determining a deflector for preventing the entrance of water into the elements provided for the support legs 7 in their fitting and coupling onto the corresponding fence 1 by means of a socket.

[0025] The invention likewise concerns a complementary fence 12 of lower height than the fence 1, and intended for use in particular places and circumstances, either independently or in combination with the basic fences 1, though it will preferably be used combined with those normal or basic fences 1. That fence 12, which can similarly include a smooth surface 13 for publicity, has on one of its ends a lug 14 provided with a lower rod 15 projecting vertically downwards and suitable for hooking to the openings 5 of the lugs 4 corresponding to the normal or basic fences 1.

[0026] The other end of that additional or complementary fence 12 includes a lug 16 close to the lower part and another lug 17 above its mid-height. The lugs 16 end in open cavities 18, generally cylindrical and with a narrowed entrance, in such a way that by virtue of the elasticity of the material that entrance can expand to permit the introduction and hooking of rods 15 of the opposite end of these additional or complementary fences 12 or of the rods 6 corresponding to normal or basic fences 1. For their part, the lugs 17 have openings 19 at their ends for the introduction of vertical projections 8 corresponding to the normal or basic fences 1, all this as represented in figures 4, 5 and 6, in which are represented the said complementary fence 12, the stacking of these fences and their fitting between two normal or basic fences 1.

[0027] Those complementary or additional fences 12 can likewise be complemented with the corresponding lower legs 20, which are able to take on any configuration and be fittable/removable and rotary, the coupling being male/female by means of pressure, the male part being slightly larger than the female, as occurs with the legs 7 corresponding to the basic fences 1.

[0028] Similarly, provision has been made for these complementary fences 12 to have pivots 21 in one of their side faces enabling their centring and correct positioning when stacking the fences 12, since these pivots 21 fit into corresponding slots provided for the purpose in the opposite side. The correct stacking of complementary fences 12 can be seen represented in figure 5.

[0029] Thanks to its smaller size and lower cost, the complementary fence considerably reduces the price of a linear metre of enclosure.

[0030] Finally, figure 7 represents a complementary fence 12 with different types of legs, with the characteristics already referred to for them. These legs 20, 20', 20'', 20''' are likewise applicable to normal or basic fences 1.


Claims

1. A fence for enclosures and signalling, of the type that is constituted on the basis of a rectangular framework (1) with cross-members (2) and at least one flat zone (3) for publicity, rotary and/or removable support legs (7), lugs (4) in one side of the fence with a vertical opening (5) for hooking vertical rods (6) provided in a lower part of other lugs (4') belonging to an opposite side, forming hooking elements with an inverted L-shape, characterized in that the lugs (4') from which the vertical hooking rods (6) emerge, have respective upper projections (8) each ending in an inwards expansion (9), defining a linking means for a special and complementary fence (12) of lower height than the basic fence (1), said complementary fence (12) having a side lug (17) shaped in a ring form for defining a locating and securing opening or housing for the upper projections (8) corresponding to the basic fence (1).
 
2. A fence for enclosures and signalling, according to claim 1, characterized in that the complementary fence (12) has on a side where the side lug (17) with a housing in a ring form (19) is located and beneath said side lug (17), a lug (16) with a tubular shape (18) laterally opened to an outside for hooking a vertical rod (15) emerging downwards from a lug (14) provided in an opposite side of said complementary fence (12).
 
3. A fence for enclosures and signalling, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that one side of the framework forming the basic fence (1) has in correspondence with its corners, pivots (10) complementary to respective cavities or housings (10') provided for in an opposite side, defining centring and positioning means for stacking fences (1) for palletized transportation.
 
4. A fence for enclosures and signalling, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that one side of the lugs (4) corresponding to the basic fence (1) has been provided with respective pivots (11, 11') complementary to respective housings provided for in an opposite part, aiding in centring and positioning fences to be stacked.
 
5. A fence for enclosures and signalling, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that one side of the complementary fence (12), has, in correspondence with its corners, respective pivots (21) complementary to respective housings provided for in an opposite side for correct positioning complementary fences (12) to be stacked.
 
6. A fence for enclosures and signalling, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the complementary fence (12) is able to include lower support legs (20) for being used independent of the basic fences (1) .
 
7. A fence for enclosures and signalling, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vertical rods (6) of the basic fences (1) are able to fit into the open tubular shapes (18) corresponding to the side lugs (16) of the complementary fences (12), while the rods (15) of said complementary fences (12) are able to fit into openings (5) provided in lugs (4) of the basic fences (1), for enabling to link said complementary fences (12) between basic fences (1), the complementary fences (12) being suspended by the basic fences (1).
 




Drawing