A temporary metal fence for restricting access

Abstract

 The invention relates to a metal fence for temporary protection. The fence comprises substantially flat panels (1) realised with horizontal (1a) and vertical (1b) electro-welded wire mesh, posts(2, 21, 22) to which the panels (1) are connected, and means for resting the posts (2, 21, 22) on the ground, characterised in that: the panels comprise ribs (3) which are afforded on vertical rows and which are arranged on horizontal rows and are distanced from one another to form structures, projecting from the plane of the panel, at a vertex of each of which a corresponding horizontal wire (3a) is welded. The posts (2, 21, 22) are made of metal elements a lateral surface of which exhibits at least a longitudinal opening (2a); shaped recesses (4) being afforded on the lateral side of each post (2, 21, 22), which recesses (4) are open externally by means of an opening (4a) afforded on a flange of the element delimiting the longitudinal opening (2a), which recesses (4) enable passage of and receive a section of horizontal wire (3a) and house it. The recesses (4) are distanced from one another at a same distance as a distance between the rows of ribs (3) on the panel (1).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a metal fence for temporary protection. The invention relates in particular to metal fences (and therefore not to provisional-type fencing realised with wooden poles or canvas or plastic ribbons) which are used to delimit and provisionally close off areas in which work activities are to be carried out or areas which for various reasons are to be protected for a period of time against intrusion by non-authorised individuals.

[0002] For realising this type of fencing, panels have for some time been used, which are made using electro-welded metal wires connected (normally welded) to rigid structures realised with vertical poles and horizontal poles which realise a rigid frame internally of which the metal wires are welded.

[0003] In these panels, the vertical poles project inferiorly such as to be insertable in pedestals which support the whole panel. The pedestals are of various nature and in general are provided with seatings (holes or tubular elements) in which the ends of the vertical poles of the panels are inserted; usual pedestals are structured such as to contain the ends of two vertical poles belonging to two different panels which are placed side-by-side to constitute part of the fence.

[0004] Also known are panels in which the vertical poles exhibit shaped ends such as directly to constitute a rest foot for the panel.

[0005] The types of provisional fencing described are realised using elements (the panels) which are transported where they are needed and are positioned and connected-up to one another, normally by connecting the adjacent vertical poles with a metal wire or the like, such as to give rise to the desired fence; once their function is no longer required, the panels are removed and transported elsewhere to be used again. The transport of these panels, which are among other things more expensive than the nets and poles normally used for fences, is difficult and expensive. Further, these panels are rather heavy and not easy to handle and position, in particular by one person alone.

[0006] In order to realise these provisional fences, sometimes normal rolled-up nets for fencing are used, which are fixed to poles set on the ground; these fences are more economical with respect to the panels, but require long working times to be set up and positioned, and are not easy to re-use.

[0007] The aim of the present invention is to obviate the above-indicated drawbacks by providing a provisional metal fence which is economical, simple to construct, assemble and de-assemble, and which is re-usable and easily transportable.

[0008] An advantage of the invention is that it enables a rapid, simple and secure fastening of the elements making up the provisional fence.

[0009] A further advantage of the invention is that it enables a complete assembly of the fence by a person working alone.

[0010] These aims and advantages and others besides are all attained by the invention as it is characterised in the accompanying claims.

[0011] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will better emerge from the detailed description that follows of a preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrated purely by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying figures of the drawings, in which:

figure 1 is a perspective view of a part of the provisional fence of the invention;

figure 2 is a perspective view in larger scale of the zone of connection of the panel with a first type of post;

figure 3 is a section view of the first type of post;

figure 4 is a perspective view in large scale of the connection zone of the panel with a second type of post.

[0012] Figure 1 illustrates part of a temporary metal fence of the invention, which is realised by using the elements constituted by panels 1 and posts 2; also comprised, as with provisional fences of known type, are means for resting the posts on the ground, which means can be of various types and are all however of known type; figure 1 illustrates means for resting constituted by removable plates 6, provided with holes in which the fence posts are inserted when the fence is being erected in the desired place. It is also possible to provide fixed feet on the posts, though this leads to greater difficulties not only in the construction stage but also in relation to the transport and use of the posts.

[0013] The panels 1 are substantially flat and are realised with horizontal metal wires 1a and vertical metal wires 1b which are electro-welded; these panels comprise ribs 3 afforded on the vertical wires and arranged on parallel equidistanced horizontal wires forming structures that project from the plane defined by the panel; a horizontal wire 3a is welded to the top angle of each of these projecting structures, the functions of which will be more fully described herein below. The number of these projecting structures can be any: normally at least three projecting structures are used, arranged with one in the upper part, one in the middle part and one in the bottom part of the panel; obviously it is also possible to use a greater number of projecting structures in order to increase the rigidity of the panel, for example four structures as shown in the figures.

[0014] For reasons of clarity it is stressed that the terms upper, lower, horizontal, vertical and in general all terms relating to the position or lie of the various elements are intended to refer to the configuration of the fence when mounted and rested on the ground, unless otherwise specified.

[0015] The horizontal and vertical wires of the panels, normally having a circular section and being of a diameter of a few millimetres, are electro-welded using normal machines for realising electro-welded meshes, and the projecting structures are made by the same machines; in practice, the panel used to realise the provisional fences of the invention has a structure which is already of known type and used for fencing meshes.

[0016] The posts 2 are realised using metal elements, a lateral surface of which exhibits a longitudinal opening 2a; the opening 2a is realised along the whole length of the post and is delimited by two lateral flanges. The sections of these posts, denoted in their entirety by 2, can be varied; by way of example, two usable types of post having different sections are illustrated, denoted respectively by 21 and 22 in order to distinguish them from each other and to distinguish them from a generic-type post.

[0017] A first type 21 of post 2 exhibits an arc-of-circle section; preferably, especially due to problems connected to mechanical resistance, the arc of circle of the post section develops along an angle which is above 180°, i.e. more than a semi-circumference.

[0018] In order to strengthen the post, especially at points affording recesses, as will be better explained herein below, a flat longitudinal element 21a is included internally of the post, which is arranged on a diametral plane of the post in a symmetrical position with respect to the flanges of the longitudinal opening of the post. This type of post might be realised in various ways, for example by cutting a metal tube, to realise the opening 2a, and welding a flat metal element in the desired position, or welding various shaped parts together. It is however much more advantageous, because it is decidedly more economical, to realise the posts by bending a metal sheet until it assumes the desired shape; in this way the post requires no welding during construction as the desired post section is a continuous line in which the flat element is realised by the sheet which, starting from a curved tract, is bent on itself and continues with a second curved tract. A section is illustrated in figure 3.

[0019] A second type 22 of post 2 exhibits a rectangular section with one side open, affording the longitudinal opening 2a; the opening can involve the whole side or only a central part thereof.

[0020] Naturally posts having a different section to the ones illustrated and described can be used; for example instead of the above-described post 21 a post having an arc of circle of less than 180° can be used, or even a post having a T-section; in these types of posts the longitudinal opening 2a, which is - very briefly - all the front part of the post section, is sub-divided into two parts by the longitudinal central element of the T-section; this post too, as well as with a normal element, can be made by bending a sheet as previously indicated for the post 21. The way in which this post (not illustrated as it is obvious) will be used will be more fully described herein below.

[0021] Shaped recesses 4 are afforded on a lateral surface of each post, which recesses 4 are open thanks to an opening 4a afforded on the flange of the element delimiting the longitudinal opening 2a; these recesses are conformed and of such a size to enable passage, through the opening 4a thereof, of a section of horizontal wire 3a located at a vertex of a rib, and to receive internally thereof the section of the wire 3a located at the vertex of a rib. The recesses afforded in one of the flanges delimiting the opening 2a are at least equal in number to the number of wires of ribs of the panel and are distanced from one another, in the longitudinal direction of the post, by the same distance that exists between the rows of ribs 3 present on the panel 1; this is to enable, as will be better described herein below, the panel to be hung on the post by inserting the ends of all the wires 3a located at a side of the panel in the relative recesses.

[0022] In each of the shaped recesses 4 the opening 4a connects with a slot 4b which develops in a downwards direction on one of the flanges delimiting the longitudinal opening 2a; the slot 4b exhibits a width which is greater than the diameter of the wire 3a and the terminal part thereof is arranged at a distance from the edge of the relative flange which is less than the distance between a wire 3a and the plane 1a of the panel. The figures show, by way of example, two different shapes of the recesses 4a; a first shape, illustrated in figure 4, has the opening of the recess connecting with a slot arranged vertically and parallel to the edge of the flange of the post it is afforded on; a second shape, illustrated in figures 1 and 2, has a recess realised by means of a slot, open towards the edge of the flange, which, starting from the edge of the flange, develops in an inclined direction and downwards in the flange in which it is afforded. Naturally recesses could have different shapes too, as long as they enable passage and housing of the section of the wires 3a.

[0023] The shaped recesses 4 are preferably located on each of the flanges of the element which delimit the longitudinal opening 2a; these recesses are arranged coupled to one another such that the recesses of a pair are at a same height with respect to the horizontal. As will be better explained herein below, this conformation enables a single post to be used for hanging the ends of two adjacent panels.

[0024] With reference to the use of posts 21 having an arc of circle of less than 180°, or posts having a T-section, the shaped recesses 4 are afforded on the central longitudinal element and each receive both the end of a panel and the end of the adjacent panel.

[0025] On the surface of at least some posts, in proximity of one of the shaped recesses, there is at least a security hole 5; this hole is used to secure the panel to the post and to prevent its movement or removal. To this end simple metal wires can be used, or connections of that type, to connect a wire of the mesh to the post, by passing the wire into the hole 5 and about a wire of the panel; in this way a simple connection is obtained which obstructs the movement of the panel. A security lock 7 could also be used, for example, as shown in figure 1; in this way the panel is secured to the post and the opening of the fencing and the detachment of the panel from post are both prevented. Two holes can also be used, arranged on the flanges on opposite sides with respect to the opening 2a of the post, in which either a wire can be inserted or a security lock, such as to close the section of the opening 2a at the position of the two holes and to prevent removal of the panels from the post.

[0026] Both the wires of the panels 1 and the posts 2 can be clad in a plastic material; it is in any case possible to use wire and posts made of either metal or galvanized metal.

[0027] The transport, use and re-use of the provisional fences are extremely simple.

[0028] With reference to transport, it is obvious that the fact the posts and panels are made of metal makes them much easier not only to transport but also to handle, with respect to known-type panels having a rigid structure.

[0029] The mounting of the fences made according to the present description is extremely simple. Two pedestals are placed on the ground at a reciprocal distance corresponding to the horizontal length of a panel, and the ends of two posts are inserted one in each of the pedestals. Note that these pedestals are standardised and are provided with circular holes for housing circular-section posts which normally constitute the frame of the known panels for these types of fence; for this reason it might be preferable to use, for the fence of the present invention, posts 21 having a circular section, like those described above.

[0030] A mesh panel is then taken and the vertical end wires of the panels and the lateral ends of the wires are inserted in the openings 2a of the two posts; with a sliding of the panel downwards, the ends of the wires 3a are inserted in the opening 4a and are arranged on the bottom of the slots 4b. As the terminal part of the slots is arranged at a distance from the edge of the relative flange which is less than the distance between the wires 3a and the plane of the panel, i.e. it is less than the depth of the ribs 3, the remaining horizontal wires of the panel do not interfere, except to rest thereon, with the flanges of the post.

[0031] By then adding posts and panels, and connecting them to the first ones as described herein above, a provisional metal fence of the desired length and direction is obtained.

[0032] Note that the mounting of the fence, given the extreme lightness of the mesh panels and the posts, is simple and rapid and what is more can be done very easily by one person working alone.

[0033] Once the provisional fence has been erected, the panels can be secured to the steel wires using, as described above, iron wires or security locks, thus rendering the fence very difficult to discompose; this operation, differently to what happens with known fences which require proper closures on each pair of vertical posts, can be performed for each two vertical posts as it is sufficient to secure the panel at a side thereof in order to prevent its being demounted. However, the opening of the provisional fence, which happens frequent in order to allow authorised people or goods to pass through, is considerably facilitated. To open a passage in the fence it is sufficient to remove a panel by raising it and freeing the ends thereof.

[0034] The demounting of the fence is also easy and is done, once any metal wires or security locks have been removed, by performing the operations for the mounting thereof in reverse; the elements which make up the fence are thus separated, without causing any deformation thereof, and are usable for a successive use.

[0035] Apart from the described advantages, note that the fence is very much lighter than known fences, as given the sufficient rigidity of the mesh panel by the ribs 3, there is no need to use transversal support posts; further, oppositely to what happens in known fences, one post alone is sufficient to support the ends of two adjacent panels.

Claims

1. A metal fence for temporary protection, of a type comprising substantially flat panels (1) realised with horizontal (1a) and vertical (1b) electro-welded wire mesh, posts (2, 21, 22) to which the panels (1) are connected, and means for resting the posts (2, 21, 22) on the ground, characterised in that: the panels comprise ribs (3) which are afforded on vertical rows and which are arranged on parallel horizontal rows and are distanced from one another to form structures, projecting from a plane of the panel, at a vertex of each of which a corresponding horizontal wire (3a) is welded; the posts (2, 21, 22) are made of metal elements a lateral surface of which exhibits at least a longitudinal opening (2a); shaped recesses (4) being afforded on a lateral side of each post (2, 21, 22), which recesses (4) are open externally by means of an opening (4a) therein, each of which recesses (4) enables passage of and receives a section of horizontal wire (3a) located at the vertex of a vertical rib; the recesses (4) are distanced from one another at a same distance as a distance between the rows of vertical ribs (3) on the panel (1).

2. The fence of claim 1, characterised in that: the posts (21, 22) are realised by means of elements provided with two lateral flanges which define a longitudinal opening (2a); each of the shaped recesses (4) exhibits an opening (4a) which connects with a slot (4b) developing in a downwards direction on one of the flanges which delimit the longitudinal opening (2a); the slot (4b) exhibits a width which is greater than a diameter of the wire (3a) and a terminal part of the slot (4b) is arranged at a distance from the edge of the relative flange, which distance is less than a distance between a wire (3a) and the plane of the panel.

3. The fence of claim 2, characterised in that each of the posts (21) exhibits a section shaped as an arc of a circle, internally of which a longitudinal flat element (21a) is arranged on a diametral plane of the post in a symmetrical position with respect to the flanges of the longitudinal opening of the post.

4. The fence of claim 3, characterised in that a section of the posts (21) comprises a first curved tract, two straight tracts arranged side-by-side to constitute the section of the longitudinal flat element and a second curved tract; the posts are realised without welding, by bending a flat metal sheet into a desired shape.

5. The fence of claim 2, characterised in that each of the posts (22) exhibits a rectangular section with one of the sides being at least partially open to realise the longitudinal opening.

6. The fence of one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the shaped recesses (4) are located on both flanges of the elements which delimit the longitudinal opening (2a), and are arranged coupled such that the recesses of a couple are at a same height in a horizontal plane.

7. The fence of claim 1, characterised in that the posts (2) are realised from elements of a type having a substantially T-section provided with a central longitudinal element behind which two lateral flanges are located; the longitudinal opening (2a) is sub-divided into two parts by the central longitudinal element; the shaped recesses (4) are afforded on the central longitudinal element.

8. The fence of one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises at least a security hole (5) which is afforded on the surface of the post in proximity of one of the shaped recesses.

9. The fence of one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the wires of the panels (1) and the posts (2) are clad in a plastic material.

Drawing