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.
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).