PROTECTION FENCE

Abstract

 The protection fence comprises at least one pair of connection devices (3) comprising respective uprights (9) made of profiled elements having, at least on one side, a longitudinal channel (10) and, at the top, respective supporting members (14) suitable for acting as a support and a guide for the hooking of at least one panel (2). The fence comprises at least one panel (2) consisting of a metal mesh (4) comprising a series of transverse wires (5) and a series of longitudinal wires (6) which are mutually welded to form a grid. The metal mesh (4) conforms, at a first side, placed above in use, a bent portion (8) comprising, at each lateral edge of said panel (2), at least one bent terminal segment (60) of a said longitudinal wire (6) suitable for defining a hooking portion for associating said panel (2) with at least one pair of said connection devices (3).

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a protection fence and a method for the realisation of such fence.

Background art

[0002] It has been known for some time the use of fences designed to protect a given area in order to prevent the access to non-workers and at the same time protect them. Such fences are often used both in the industrial and in the civil field to delimit, for example, the machines working areas, the perimeter of the plants or the perimeter of the buildings intended for residential use.

[0003] The protection fences provide a series of panels, generally comprising a portion of metal mesh, associated by means of connection devices according to a determined spatial geometry. The connection devices comprise multiple of supporting members of the uprights or stands type properly equipped to be constrained to the opposite sides of each panel so as to make the fence.

[0004] According to a known type of fences, the panels are constrained to the uprights by means of screw connection means.

[0005] The patent FR 2 864 570 illustrates, e.g., a fence comprising at least one metal mesh panel associated with one pair of uprights defining respective longitudinal channels for the hooking of opposite ends of the panel. The panel is connected to the pair of uprights by respective locking plates arranged behind the mesh constituting the panel. Each locking plate is fixed to the respective upright by screw means.

[0006] US patent 4,723,759 describes a protection fence comprising a series of metal mesh panels constrained to the uprights by jaw members, each jaw member comprising a first C-shaped jaw surrounding an upright and a second C-shaped jaw which wraps around a longitudinal wire of the panel. The pair of jaws are joined at end portions by screw means.

[0007] JP Patent 2015 161121 illustrates a mesh panel that conforms at the top a bent portion facing downwards in a mounting position. Each upright has at its top a covering member provided with a support element which protrudes towards the panel so as to function as a support for the bent portion of the panel. The panel is fixed to each upright by a series of fixing members which are distributed along the longitudinal edges of the panel facing towards the respective uprights.

[0008] A problem related to the use of screw means is that of difficult assembly resulting in a consequent increase in the time required to perform the work and therefore the related labour costs.

[0009] Different technical solutions have therefore been developed allowing the realisation of the fences without using the screws.

[0010] The patent application EP 2 460 952 illustrates, e.g., a fence comprising a series of mesh panels, wherein each panel is associated at opposite sides to respective uprights having a series of hook members, laterally protruding towards the mesh panels. The hook members are suitable for housing the longitudinal wires of the mesh panel placed at the lateral ends of the panel itself; such hook members are alternated with openings arranged to receive the end portions of the transverse wires of the mesh.

[0011] A further example of a fence of the above-mentioned typology is illustrated in the patent EP 1 306 502. The uprights are H-shaped with end portions bent in order to define a curvilinear surface. The bent portions extend at regular intervals along a longitudinal direction of the upright to form proper hooks suitable for retaining the longitudinal wires of the mesh panels.

[0012] On the other hand, the patent EP 1 980 688 illustrates a tubular upright comprising a first half-shell conforming at the ends respective protruding portions provided with hooking tabs. The upright comprises a second half-shell likewise conforming a pair of protruding portions of ends provided with tabs suitable to be associated with the tabs of the first half-shell to form, during assembly, the tubular enclosure of the upright. The protruding portions, in the assembled configuration of the enclosure, define one pair of longitudinal guides adapted to receive the longitudinal wires of the mesh constituting the panel to be associated with the upright.

[0013] Although solutions have been developed to simplify the assembly of the panels, it is however to be considered that there is a need to further simplify the association of the panels with the connection devices so as to mount the fences easily while ensuring a stable and lasting coupling of the panel to the connection devices.

Presentation of the invention

[0014] The object of the present invention is that of solving the above-mentioned problems, devising a protection fence allowing to optimize the assembly times.

[0015] Another objective of the invention is to provide a structurally stable and solid protection fence.

[0016] Within the scope of this task, it is a further object of the present invention to provide a fence of simple constructional and functional design, provided with safe and reliable use, versatile use as well as an economical cost.

[0017] A further object of the invention is to provide a method that allows to make the fence in a simple and fast way.

[0018] The aforementioned objects are achieved, according to the present invention, by the protection fence and by the method for manufacturing protection fences according to claims 1 and 12.

[0019] The protection fence comprises one or more panels able to be associated in a modular manner; at least one pair of connection devices comprising respective uprights realized by profiled elements having at least one side of a longitudinal channel and at the top respective supporting members extending along a substantially horizontal direction in use suitable to act as a support and a guide for the hooking of at least one panel, said uprights comprising respective protection members, arranged above said supporting members in order to cover said supporting members and prevent the removal of said at least one panel; at least one of said panels being constituted by a metal mesh comprising a series of transverse wires and a series of longitudinal wires mutually welded to form a grid, said metal mesh conforming a first side, placed in use above, a bent portion realised, in correspondence of each lateral edge of said panel, from at least one bent terminal segment of a said longitudinal wire suitable to define a hooking portion to associate said panel to at least one pair of said connection devices.

[0020] Each said protection member comprises a cross-member which surrounds said respective supporting member on top and at the sides defining a region of space between said protection member and said supporting member suitable for hooking said at least one panel, said protection member being arranged to prevent the removal of said at least one panel.

[0021] Preferably, the protection member comprises a first wall which extends above said supporting member and a second and third wall which constitute the sides and surround laterally said supporting member.

[0022] Preferably, the second and the third lateral walls are fixed to the upright by welding or by the use of mechanical connection means.

[0023] Alternatively, the protection member is made integral to the upright forming a single piece.

[0024] Preferably, the protection member is made by a tubular, preferably metallic.

[0025] Preferably, the protection member has a rectangular transverse profile. Alternatively, the protection member may have a circular transverse profile.

[0026] Preferably, said protection member may have a length substantially equal to or less than the length of the respective supporting member.

[0027] Advantageously, each said supporting member comprises an element of elongated shape protruding from a bottom wall of the upright, at least from one side of the upright.

[0028] Preferably each said supporting member has a round or polygonal shaped section.

[0029] Preferably each said supporting member is integral to said respective upright.

[0030] Advantageously, said bent portion of said panel is resting, near each upright, on a respective supporting member. A prerogative of the present invention is that of being able to easily associate the panel to the uprights by inserting the bent portion in the region defined between the protection member and the supporting member, resting on the supporting member. Moreover, providing the protection member which surrounds the supporting member on its upper and lateral sides obstructs the removal of the panel, imparting stability to the structure.

[0031] Advantageously, it is possible to provide that each supporting member is provided with locking means arranged to lock the sliding of the panel along said supporting member in a sliding direction moving away from said respective upright. Such locking means contribute to make the structure of the fence more stable.

[0032] Preferably, said locking means are arranged at one end of each supporting member.

[0033] Preferably, said locking means are made of a shaped portion of said supporting member, said shaped portion defining an abutment surface suitable for locking the sliding of said panel.

[0034] Preferably, said shaped portion protrudes with respect to the surface of the supporting member on which the panel slides and develops upwards in the panel mounting position, forming a sort of locking tooth.

[0035] Preferably, said abutment surface is transverse to the sliding surface of said panel on said supporting member.

[0036] Preferably said bent portion is made of multiple said bent terminal segments of said longitudinal wires and extends transversely for the entire width of said metal mesh.

[0037] Preferably, said terminal segments of said longitudinal wires have a curved shape with a concavity facing downwards, in an assembly configuration. Preferably, said terminal segments have a U-shape provided with the concavity facing downwards in an assembly configuration.

[0038] Advantageously, said metal mesh comprises, at a second side, disposed in use at the bottom, a further bent portion made of multiple said bent terminal segments of said longitudinal wires suitable to increase the stiffness of said metal mesh.

[0039] Preferably said metal mesh has at least one bend, obtained by deforming the longitudinal wires, suitable to confer a greater bending resistance to the metal mesh, said at least one bend conforming a rib which extends transversely over the entire width of the metal mesh.

[0040] Preferably said at least one bend has a V-profile protruding from the vertical lying plane of the longitudinal wires.

[0041] The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing protection fences comprising one or more panels suitable to be associated in a modular manner, said panels being constituted by a metal mesh which forms a bent portion at a first side, arranged above in use. The method provides for the step of providing at least one pair of connection devices at a predetermined distance comprising respective uprights made of profiled elements having at least one side a longitudinal channel and at the top respective supporting members extending along a substantially horizontal direction, said uprights being associated superiorly with respective protection members each comprising a cross-member which surrounds at the top and at the sides said respective supporting member defining a region of space between said protection member and said supporting member, said uprights being arranged with the supporting members substantially aligned and the respective longitudinal channels facing each other. The method then provides the step of associating to said uprights at least one said panel hooking said bent portion at the lateral edges of said panel on said respective supporting members of said uprights in said regions of space defined between said protection members and said supporting members and at the same time inserting said lateral edges into said longitudinal channels.

[0042] Preferably, the step of associating to said uprights at least one said panel provides at first, hooking said bent portion of a lateral edge of the panel on said supporting member of said upright and, at the same time, inserting the lateral edge in said longitudinal channel of said upright.

[0043] Preferably, the method then provides for hooking the bent portion of the opposite lateral edge of said panel on said respective supporting member of the further upright and, at the same time, inserting said lateral edge in the longitudinal channel of said upright.

Brief description of the drawings

[0044] The details of the invention will become more evident from the detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the protection fence according to the invention, illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective schematic view of a protection fence according to the present invention;

Figure 2 shows an enlarged detail of the protection fence wherein the connection device associated with the panels constituting the fence is visible, partially in transparency;

Figures 3 and 4 show further enlarged details of the protection fence wherein the connection device according to various embodiments is illustrated, partially in transparency;

Figures 5 and 6 show respectively a front view and a perspective view of a panel constituting the fence according to the present invention;

Figure 7 shows a view of the panel according to the plane of trace VII-VII illustrated in Figure 1;

Figures 8 and 9 show respective enlarged details of the panel illustrated in Figure 5;

Figure 10 shows a side view of a connection device of the panels for the embodiment of the fence according to the present invention;

Figure 11 shows a front view of the connection device;

Figure 12 shows a view of the connection device according to the plane of trace XII-XII illustrated in Figure 12;

Figures 13 and 14 respectively show a side view and a front view of the connection device according to a different embodiment;

Figure 15 shows a view of the connection device according to the plane of trace XV-XV illustrated in Figure 13;

Figures 16 and 17 show respectively a front view and a plan view of the connection device according to another further embodiment;

Figure 18 shows a view of the connection device according to the plane of trace XVIII-XVIII illustrated in Figure 16;

Figures 19 and 20 respectively show a perspective view and a side view of a different embodiment of the connection device;

Figure 21 shows a view of the connection device according to the plane of trace XXI-XXI illustrated in Figure 20;

Figure 22 shows an enlarged detail of the connection device illustrated in Figure 19;

Figures 23 and 24 respectively show a perspective view and a side view of a different embodiment of the connection device;

Figure 25 shows a view of the connection device according to the plane of trace XXV-XXV illustrated in Figure 24;

Figure 26 shows an enlarged detail of the connection device illustrated in Figure 23;

Figures 27 and 28 respectively show a side view and a perspective view of a detail of the protection fence wherein the connection device is shown according to a further embodiment associated with the panels constituting the fence;

Figure 29 shows a view of the detail of the fence according to the plane of trace XXIX-XXIX illustrated in Figure 27.

Embodiments of the invention

[0045] With particular reference to such Figures, 1 generally refers to the protection fence of the present invention.

[0046] The protection fence 1 comprises multiple panels 2 suitable to be associated in a modular manner by means of proper connection devices 3.

[0047] The panels 2 are constituted by a metal mesh 4 comprising a series of transverse wires 5 extending along a first direction and a series of longitudinal wires 6 extending along a second direction, that is substantially orthogonal to the first direction. The transverse wires 5 and the longitudinal wires 6 are mutually welded to form a square or rectangular grid.

[0048] The metal mesh 4 has at least one bend 7, obtained by deforming the longitudinal wires 6, suitable to confer higher bending resistance to the metal mesh 4 itself. In practice, the bending 7 produces a rib which extends transversely over the entire width of the metal mesh 4. The bend 7 has a V-shaped profile protruding from the vertical plane of arrangement of the longitudinal wires 6 (see Fig. 9).

[0049] Preferably, the metal mesh 4 has a plurality of regularly distributed bends 7 (see Fig. 6 and Fig. 7).

[0050] The metal mesh 4 conforms to a first side, arranged in use above, a bent portion 8 suitable for being used to associate the panel 2 with the connection devices 3, as explained below.

[0051] The bent portion 8 comprises, at each lateral edge of the panel 2, at least a bent terminal segment 60 of a longitudinal wire 6 so as to define a hooking portion.

[0052] Preferably, the bent portion 8 is made of multiple bent terminal segments 60 of the longitudinal wires 6 and extends transversely over the entire width of the metal mesh 4.

[0053] Preferably, the terminal segments 60 have a curved shape, in particular a U shape, having the concavity facing downwards, in an assembly configuration. The terminal segments 60 can obviously have different shapes such as, for example, a square shape.

[0054] At least one transverse wire 5 is welded at the free end of the bent terminal segments 60 of the longitudinal wires 6 which lies substantially on the same plane of a similar transverse wire 5 welded at the opposite end of the bent terminal segment 60. Such transverse wires 5 make the conformed bent portion 8 more stable and support the operator during the assembly step of the panel 2.

[0055] According to an embodiment, the metal mesh 4 conforms to a second side, opposite to the first side and disposed in use at the bottom, a further bent portion 8' formed by the bent terminal segments 60 of the longitudinal wires 6. In such case, the bent portion 8' essentially performs the function of increasing the stiffness of the metal mesh 4.

[0056] The connection devices 3 comprise uprights 9 made of profiled elements having at least on one side a longitudinal channel 10 suitable to be engaged by an edge of the panel 2.

[0057] The uprights 9 have a U-shaped cross section, preferably square. In particular, the channel 10 is delimited by a pair of lateral walls 90 facing and a bottom wall 91 orthogonal to the lateral walls 90 which confer the aforesaid U-shaped profile.

[0058] The channel 10 is provided with a substantially equal width, except for a small clearance, to the transverse dimension of the at least one bend 7 of the panel 2 so as to allow the correct insertion of the edge of the panel 2.

[0059] The uprights 9 are located on respective supporting bases 11 comprising plates 12 provided with a series of holes 13 to insert the anchoring means to the ground, not shown.

[0060] In case it is necessary to make fences 1 with a complex spatial geometry, as in the example illustrated in Figure 1, the uprights 9 are associated with each other according to predetermined angular orientations.

[0061] According to the embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 13-15 and according to the embodiment shown in Figures 27-29, suitable for being used in a linear segment of a fence 1, the connection devices 3 comprise a pair of uprights 9 arranged on the same supporting base 11, associated at the bottom walls 91 so that the channels 10 are facing from opposite sides. The bottom walls 91 are suitably welded, for example at suitable welding points.

[0062] To make angled segments of the fence 1, a different embodiment of the connection device 3 is used providing a pair of uprights 9 arranged on the same supporting base 11, wherein the uprights 9 are joined by welding at the respective defined corners between the bottom wall 91 and a lateral wall 90 (see Figures 4 and 16-18), e.g. making 90° angled walls.

[0063] Alternatively, the uprights 9 are joined by welding the bottom wall 91 of an upright 9 with a lateral wall 90 of the other upright 9 (see Figures 23-26).

[0064] The uprights 9 have at the top respective supporting members 14 suitable to function as a support and guide for the hooking of at least one panel 2. The supporting members 14 extend along a substantially horizontal direction. The supporting members 14 are elements having an elongated shape protruding from the bottom wall 91 of the respective upright 9, at least on one side of the upright 9. Such elongated elements are adapted to be engaged by the bent portion 8 of at least one panel 2 so as to associate the panel 2 with the upright 9.

[0065] Preferably, the bent portion 8 of the panel 2 is arranged resting, near each upright 9, on the respective supporting member 14.

[0066] The elongated shape elements may have a polygonal or round section.

[0067] The supporting members 14 are integral to the upright 9; such supporting members 14 are welded to the profile or joined through suitable fixing means.

[0068] In the example shown in the figures, the supporting members 14 are bars with a rectangular section, associated with the upright 9 at a transverse groove 15 made in an upper part of the upright 9 itself.

[0069] The cross-section of the supporting members 14 has dimensions appropriate to the similar dimensions of the cross-section of the hooking portions defined by the terminal segments 60 of the longitudinal wires 6 so as to be able to precisely hook the hooks on the guide defined by the supporting member 14 and to constrain the panel 2 to the upright 9.

[0070] According to a preferred embodiment, each supporting member 14 comprises locking means 100 arranged to lock the possible sliding of the panel 2 along the supporting member 14 in a sliding direction away from the respective upright 9 (see Figures 19-28).

[0071] The locking means 100 are arranged at one end of the supporting member 14.

[0072] Said locking means 100 are preferably made from a shaped portion of the supporting member 14 defining an abutment surface 101 for the panel 2 suitable to perform the locking function of the panel 2.

[0073] The abutment surface 101 is transverse to the surface of the supporting member 14 on which the panel 2 slides to act as a barrier against sliding.

[0074] More in particular, the shaped portion protrudes with respect to the surface of the supporting member 14 on which the panel 2 slides and develops upwards in the panel mounting position, forming a sort of locking tooth.

[0075] Each upright 6 is associated at the top with a protection member 16 extending above the supporting member 14 so as to cover, at least in part, the supporting member 14 itself and thus prevent the removal of the panel 2 from the uprights 9.

[0076] The protection member 16 is provided by a cross-member which surrounds the supporting member 14 on top and on the sides. The cross-member 16 is made by a tubular, preferably metallic.

[0077] Between the cross-member 16 and the supporting member 14 a region of space suitable for hooking the bent portion 8 of the panel 2 is defined.

[0078] The cross-member 16 may have a length substantially equal to or less than the length of the respective supporting member 14.

[0079] The cross-member 16 comprises a first wall 17 extending above the supporting member 14 and a second and third wall 18, 19 constituting the sides and laterally surround the supporting member 14. The second and third walls 18, 19 are fixed to the body of the upright 9, for example by welding or by using mechanical connection means.

[0080] Alternatively, the cross-member 16 can be made as a single piece with the upright 9. In this case, the upright 9 conforms above the first wall 17 and the walls 18, 19 constituting the sides.

[0081] Preferably, the cross-member 16 has a rectangular transverse profile.

[0082] The cross-member 16 may have any other shape, for example it may have a circular profile.

[0083] In the case of the connection devices 3 according to the embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 16-18, a pair of cross-members 16 are joined at respective inclined edges 20 to form an angled cross-member.

[0084] In the case of connection devices 3 according to the embodiment shown in Figures 23-26, a single cross-member 16 is used to make an angled segment. In particular, the cross-member 16 has a second wall 17 extending continuously at least for the length of the lateral wall 90 of an upright 9 and of the bottom wall 91 of the adjacent upright 9. The further lateral wall 18 of the cross-member 16, on the other hand, has an opening at the longitudinal channel 10 of one of the uprights 9 to allow the passage of the corresponding supporting member 14 protruding outwards the upright 9.

[0085] The method for manufacturing protection fences is easily understood with the aid of the preceding description.

[0086] First of all, at least one pair of connection devices 3 is arranged at a predetermined distance.

[0087] The connection devices 3 are arranged in such a way that the respective supporting members 14 suitable to support the panel 2 itself are substantially aligned and the respective longitudinal channels 10 are facing each other.

[0088] The aforesaid step provides for fixing the connection devices 3 to the ground by the anchoring means.

[0089] Then, at least one panel 2 is associated to the connection devices 3 by hooking the bent portion 8 at the lateral edges of the panel 2 on respective supporting members 14 of the uprights 9 and, at the same time, inserting the lateral edges into the respective longitudinal channels 10 of the uprights 9.

[0090] More precisely, the bent portion 8 of the panel 2 is inserted in the regions of space defined by the protection members 16 and the supporting members 14, resting on the respective supporting members 14.

[0091] In particular, the step of associating at least one panel 2 to the connection devices 3 provides for, at first, hooking the bent portion 8 of a lateral edge of the panel 2 on a supporting member 14 of an upright 9 and, at the same time, inserting the lateral edge in the longitudinal channel 10 of the upright 9.

[0092] Subsequently, the bent portion 8 of the opposite lateral edge of the panel 2 is hooked on the supporting member 14 of the further upright 9 and, at the same time, engages the lateral edge in the longitudinal channel 10 of the upright 9.

[0093] The hooking of the bent portion 8 of the lateral edges on the respective supporting members 14 of the uprights 9 takes place by positioning a first hooking portion consisting of a terminal segment 60 of a longitudinal wire 6 of the bent portion 8 on the supporting member 14 and sliding the mesh 4 until it reaches the end wall 91 of the upright 9. The engagement portions of each lateral edge are then conveniently hooked on the supporting member 14 and the lateral edge is received by the longitudinal channel 10.

[0094] It should be noted that the bends 7 of the metal mesh 4 engage the channels 10 in mounting position, helping to keep the panel 2 stable on a vertical plane.

[0095] The fence according to the present invention achieves the aim of being able to be assembled in optimal times while ensuring a solid and stable structure.

[0096] The purpose is achieved thanks to the supporting member and the respective protection member. It is in fact to be considered that the supporting member guides the hooking of the panel and supports the panel in the mounting position, notably facilitating the association of the panel to the connection devices and therefore reducing the operating times for the making of the fence. The longitudinal channel of the device provides a further guide for the hooking of the panel, contributing to speed up the operation. The protection member covering the supporting member, on the other hand, prevents the panel from being removed from the connection device, giving stability and solidity to the fence.

[0097] In addition, the possibility of providing locking means on the supporting member to prevent the sliding of the panel in the direction away from the uprights confers stability to the fence.

[0098] Moreover, the panels constituting the fence provided with a bent upper portion suitable for being hooked on the supporting member allow a simple and solid coupling with the connection devices, providing solidity to the structure of the fence.

[0099] It should also be noted that the fence is easily adaptable to the dimensional and geometrical characteristics of the place of application since the panels are associated in a modular manner and the transverse dimension of the panels may be easily modified by performing mesh cutting operations along a longitudinal direction with a pitch equal to the one established by the grid of the mesh. This modification of the transverse dimension of the panels does not compromise in any way the ease of assembly of each panel to the uprights.

[0100] A further aspect to be considered is that the connection device is easy to produce as well as low cost.

[0101] Finally, the method allows to realize the fence in a simple and fast way as it provides for simple operations such as, in particular, the hooking of the bent portions of the panel on the supporting member to associate the panel with the uprights.

[0102] The fence, disclosed by a way of example, is susceptible of several modifications and variations depending on the different requirements.

[0103] In the practical embodiment of the invention, the materials used, as well as shape and dimensions, may be any according to requirements.

[0104] Where the technical features mentioned in any of the claims are followed by reference numerals, these reference numerals are included to improve the comprehension of the claims only, and consequently they have no limiting effect on the object of each element identified by way of example by these reference numerals.

Claims

1. Protection fence comprising
at least one pair of connection devices (3) comprising respective uprights (9) realized by profiled elements having at least on one side a longitudinal channel (10) and at the top respective supporting members (14) extending along a substantially horizontal direction in use suitable to act as a support and a guide for the hooking of at least one panel (2), said uprights (9) comprising respective protection members (16), arranged above said supporting members (14) in order to cover said supporting members (14) and prevent the removal of said at least one panel (2);
one or more panels suitable for being associated in a modular manner, at least one of said panels (2) being constituted by a metal mesh (4) comprising a series of transverse wires (5) and a series of longitudinal wires (6) mutually welded to form a grid, said metal mesh (4) conforming a first side, placed in use above a bent portion (8) made at each lateral edge of said panel (2), from at least one bent terminal segment (60) of a said longitudinal wire (6) suitable to define a hooking portion to associate said panel (2) to at least one pair of said connection devices (3).
characterized in that each said protection member (16) comprises a cross-member surrounding said respective supporting member (14) on top and at the sides defining a region of space between said protection member (16) and said supporting member (14) suitable for hooking said at least one panel (2), said protection member (16) being arranged to prevent the removal of said at least one panel (2).

2. Fence according to claim 1, characterized in that each said protection member (16) comprises a first wall (17) which extends above said supporting member (14) and a second and a third wall (18, 19) constituting the sides and laterally surrounding said supporting member (14).

3. Fence according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said protection member (16) has a transverse rectangular shape.

4. Fence according to claim 2, characterized in that said second wall (17) and said third wall (18) are fixed to said upright (9) by welding or by using mechanical connection means.

5. Fence according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each said supporting member (14) comprises an elongated shape element protruding from a bottom wall (91) of said upright (9), at least from one side of said upright (9), said supporting member (14) being suitable to be engaged by said bent portion (8) of said panel (2) so as to associate said panel (2) to said upright (9).

6. Fence according to claim 5, characterized in that said bent portion (8) is resting, near each upright (9), on a respective supporting member (14).

7. Fence according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each supporting member (14) comprises locking means (100) arranged to block the sliding of the panel (2) along said supporting member (14) in a sliding direction moving away from said respective upright (9).

8. Fence according to claim 7, characterized in that said locking means (100) are made of a shaped portion of said supporting member (14), said shaped portion defining an abutment surface (101) suitable for locking the sliding of said panel (2).

9. Fence according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said bent portion (8) is made of multiple said terminal segments (60) of said longitudinal wires (6) and extends transversely for the entire width of said metal mesh (4).

10. Fence according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said terminal segments (60) of said longitudinal wires (6) have a curved shape with a concavity facing downwards, in an assembly configuration.

11. Fence according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said metal mesh (4) comprises, at a second side, arranged in use at the bottom, a further bent portion (8') made of multiple said terminal segments (60) of said longitudinal wires (6), suitable for increasing the stiffness of said metal mesh (4).

12. Method for manufacturing protection fences comprising one or more panels (2) suitable to be associated in a modular manner, said panels (2) being constituted by a metal mesh (4) forming a bent portion (8) at a first side, arranged above in use, comprising the steps of

a. providing at least one pair of connection devices (3) at a predetermined distance comprising respective uprights (9) made of profiled elements having at least on one side a longitudinal channel (10) and, at the top, respective supporting members (14) extending along a substantially horizontal direction, said uprights (9) being associated superiorly to respective protection members (16) each comprising a cross-member which surrounds at the top and at the sides said respective supporting member (14) defining a region of space between said protection member (16) and said supporting member (14), said uprights (9) being arranged with the supporting members (14) substantially aligned and the respective longitudinal channels (10) facing each other;

b. associating to said uprights (9) at least one of said panels (2) hooking said bent portion (8) at the lateral edges of said panel (2) on said respective supporting members (14) of said uprights (9) in said regions of space defined between said protection members (16) and said supporting members (14) and, at the same time, inserting said lateral edges in said longitudinal channels (10).

Drawing