ES3014484T3 - Part for attaching at least one mesh panel to a fence post, corresponding fence post - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a fixing piece (3, 4) for fixing at least one mesh panel (2) to a fence post (1), the fixing piece (3, 4) being intended to be received in a receiving groove (10) of the post (1) and to cooperate with the openings (121, 131) of each of the side walls (12, 13) of the post, the fixing piece (3, 4) being able to cooperate on the one hand with two openings (121, 131) of a first side wall (12, 13) of a groove (10) of the post and on the other hand with an opening (121, 131) of the second side wall (12, 13) of the groove (10). (Automatic translation with Google Translate, without legal value)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Piece for fixing at least one fence panel to a fence post, corresponding fence post

1. Field of invention

The field of the invention is the design and manufacture of fencing.

The invention relates, according to a first aspect, to devices for fixing rigid wire fence panels to posts.

The invention relates, according to a second aspect, to posts intended to cooperate with at least such a fixing device.

2. Previous technique

Fences are commonly used to delimit the edges of land plots and/or secure access. Fences typically include posts whose lower ends are fixed to the ground, generally extending essentially vertically, and at least one dividing element fixed between two posts.

There is a wide variety of separation elements.

Fences can be created by attaching dividing elements to posts made of rigid wire panels, for example, made of a lattice of vertical and horizontal wires.

To achieve this, devices or pieces are used to fix the panels to the posts, the latter having notches spaced vertically along a slot in the post.

Document EP 0935038 A1 describes a clip with one or two pairs of prongs intended to cooperate with notches in a post. Document WO 2010/121789 describes a claw clip that is inserted not into openings in a post, but into a slot therein. Current solutions for fixing panels to posts do not allow for easy installation of fences on sloping terrain.

Indeed, they do not offer much room for vertical movement of the fence panels.

On the other hand, it is currently proposed to place screening elements between the vertical wires of the trellis panels, particularly to protect them from prying eyes.

Therefore, the wind exposure of a fence that has such screening elements increases.

However, fence posts may not be adequate to withstand these wind exposure forces.

3. Presentation of the invention

The invention is set forth in the appended set of claims.

The invention thus proposes a new solution for fixing at least one rigid wire fence panel consisting of a lattice of vertical and horizontal wires to a fence post using slots on opposite edges.

To achieve this, the openings in a first of the side walls of each of the slots are positioned offset from the openings in the second of the side walls.

On the other hand, the fixing piece is configured so as to cooperate on the one hand with two openings of a first of said side walls of the slot and on the other hand with an opening of the second of said side walls of the slot.

Thanks to this distribution of openings along the side walls of the slots, the vertical fixing pitch of a panel to the post is finer.

This approach offers greater possibilities for vertical movement of the panels along the posts, making it particularly suitable for installing fences on sloping terrain.

According to a particular aspect of the invention, the first and second retaining tabs extend on both sides of the longitudinal axis of the third retaining tab, at an equal distance from said longitudinal axis.

Preferably, each of the fins has at least one space for the passage of a vertical cable from said panel.

According to a particular embodiment, said plate comprises at least one hole for the passage of a fixing screw of said fixing piece to said post.

The invention also relates to a fence post intended to cooperate with at least one fixing piece as described above for fixing at least one rigid wire fence panel consisting of a lattice of vertical and horizontal wires to said post, said post comprising on two opposite sides a slot for receiving a vertical edge of a rigid wire fence panel, said slot comprising a back wall and two side walls extending opposite each other substantially perpendicular to the back wall, openings being regularly distributed along each of the side walls of each of said slots.

According to the invention, for each of said slots, the openings of a first of said side walls are located offset with respect to the openings of the second of said side walls in the longitudinal direction of said slots.

According to a preferred embodiment, the axis of the openings of the first of said side walls extends between the axes of two adjacent openings of the second of said side walls and at an equal distance from the latter.

Advantageously, said fence post has a hollow structure.

Advantageously, said fence post has an "I" shaped cross section.

Advantageously, said fence post comprises a reinforcing insert arranged in the hollow structure and intended to improve the mechanical resistance of said post.

According to a particular embodiment, said insert has an "I" shaped cross section.

Advantageously, said insert comprises several parts, for example three, reversibly assembled to one another.

The invention also relates to a fence comprising a plurality of support posts such as those described above between which panels extend assembled to said posts by means of at least two fixing pieces such as those described above.

Advantageously, the fence has hollow posts, each of which has a reinforcing insert. According to an aspect not covered by the present invention, a tool is known for implementing a fixing piece such as the one described above in a fence post such as the one described above, said tool comprising two levers articulated with each other around an axis of rotation, a first lever comprising means for pressing said tool onto said post, and a second lever comprising a pushing element for moving said fixing piece into one of said receiving slots of said post such that said fixing piece cooperates on the one hand with two openings in a first of said side walls of the slot and on the other hand with an opening in the second of said side walls of the slot. Such a tool is suitable for positioning rigid or elastically deformable fixing pieces.

Advantageously, said support means of said tool are “U” shaped.

Advantageously, said thrust element of said tool is mounted so as to be rotatably movable at the end of said second lever.

4. List of figures

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly upon reading the following description, given as an illustrative and non-limiting example with respect to the attached drawings in which:

- Figure 1 is a three-dimensional view, from the left, of a portion of fencing, comprising a post according to the invention and two rigid wire fence panels, each held by two rigid fixing pieces according to the invention;

- Figure 2 is a three-dimensional view, from the right, of the fence portion of Figure 1;

- Figure 3 is a closer view, from the right, of the upper end of a fence post according to the invention;

- Figure 4 is a closer view, from the left, of the upper end of a fence post according to the invention;

- Figure 5 is a closer view of a central portion of a fence post and of a rigid fixing piece of a fence panel to the post, according to the invention;

- Figure 6 is a transparency view of Figure 5, showing two rigid fixing pieces implemented on both sides of the post;

- Figure 7 is a top view of a fence post according to the invention, showing two rigid fixing pieces of a wire panel implemented on each side of the post;

- Figure 8 illustrates a rigid fixing part according to the invention, viewed in three dimensions, from the front, from below and from the right;

- Figure 9 is a three-dimensional view of a reinforcing insert intended to cooperate with a hollow post of a fence;

- Figures 10A and 10B illustrate a tool for installing a rigid fixing piece on a post;

- Figures 11A and 11B show the tool in use for installing the rigid fixing piece on a post; - Figures 12A to 12C illustrate the main stages of installing the rigid fixing piece on the post using such a tool;

- Figures 13A to 13F illustrate all the stages of installing the rigid fixing piece on the post using such a tool;

- Figure 14 illustrates an elastic fixing piece presented for illustrative purposes, placed on a fence post; - Figures 15 and 16 are different views of the elastic fixing piece of Figure 14.

5. Detailed description

Figures 1 to 7 illustrate a portion of a fence in which the invention is implemented, and more particularly a portion of a post 1 on which one or two rigid wire panels 2 (partially shown) are fixed, each panel 2 being constituted by a lattice of vertical 21 and horizontal 22 wires or threads.

It is understood that the fence comprises several panels 2 of rigid wire fence juxtaposed in order to delimit the boundaries of a plot of land and/or ensure access to it.

The rigid wire fence panels 2 are fixed by two of their opposite vertical ends to posts 1 themselves fixed vertically to a support such as the ground.

Post 1 is made of a hollow metal profile that has an "I" shaped cross section.

It has two opposite inner slots 10, with a U-shaped cross-section, dedicated to securing the fence. To do this, a vertical edge of a first wire fence panel 2 is placed in the first slot 10 of the post 1, and a vertical edge of a second wire fence panel 2 is placed in the second slot 10 of the same post 1, opposite the first slot 10.

The slots 10 extend vertically over the entire height of the post 1.

As can be seen in particular in Figure 3, each of the two slots 10 of a post 1 comprises a flat bottom wall 11 and two facing side walls 12, 13 extending substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall 11.

The openings 121, 131, or notches, are regularly distributed along each of the side walls 12, 13 respectively.

As can be seen in particular in Figure 6, the spacing between the openings 121 of the side wall 12 of a slot 10 is constant and equal to the spacing between the openings 131 of the other side wall 13 of the same slot 10. For example, it is 40 mm.

However, the openings 121 are not arranged opposite the openings 131 in the longitudinal direction of each slot 10, but are located between two adjacent openings 131.

The horizontal axis A1 of each of the openings 121 and the horizontal axis A2 of each of the openings 131 have been represented in figures 4 and 6.

As can be seen, the A1 and A2 axes are offset in height relative to each other, with each A1 axis extending substantially equidistant from two consecutive A2 axes (and vice versa).

Thanks to this distribution of the openings 121, 131 along the walls 12, 13, the vertical fixing pitch of a panel 2 to the post 1 is thinner and equal to 20 mm in this example.

In other words, with respect to a first panel 2 fixed in a first slot 10 of a post 1, a second panel 2 can be fixed in the opposite slot 10 of the post 1 while being displaced downwards by a distance, or fixing pitch, smaller than in the prior art (substantially twice as small).

This approach thus offers greater possibilities for vertical panel movement along the posts 1, making it particularly suitable for installing fences on sloping terrain (i.e., on a slope). This approach also limits the number of post holes and provides a post with improved mechanical strength.

Indeed, if, to obtain the same result as the invention, the post 1 were pierced with as many openings 121, 131 opposite each other in each of its walls 12, 13, the mechanical strength of the post would be reduced. According to the approach of the present invention, the mechanical strength of the post is equivalent to that of conventionally used posts, and the pitch for fixing the wire fence panels 2 to the post 1 is reduced with respect to the prior art.

The fixing of a rigid wire fence panel 2 to a post 1 is carried out by means of at least one rigid fixing device or piece 3, illustrated in the different views of Figure 8, or by means of at least one flexible fixing device or piece 4, illustrated in Figures 14 to 16.

Rigid fixing piece

As can be seen in Figures 1 and 2, several rigid fixing pieces 3 are necessary to ensure the fixing of a rigid wire fence panel 2 to two spaced posts 1, i.e. one on each side of panel 2 at the top and one on each side of panel 2 at the bottom, i.e. two on each side of panel 2.

The fixing pieces 3 are sized to fit into the slots 10 of the posts 1.

Such fixing piece 3 is metallic and comprises an essentially flat and rectangular plate 31, extended at two of its opposite ends by a fin 30 extending essentially perpendicular to the plate 31 towards the interior of the post 1 when the fixing piece 3 is in place (Figure 6).

Each end of the fins 30 is intended to come into abutment against the bottom wall 11 of a slot 10 of the post 1.

When the fixing piece 3 is placed on a post 1, the plate 31 is substantially parallel to the bottom wall 11 of the slot 10, and each fin 30 is substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall 11.

The width of plate 31 is slightly smaller than the width of slots 10 of post 1.

Each of the fins 30 has a lug or finger 32 for holding the wiring panel 2 to the post 1 and spaced housings 35 provided to receive a vertical wire 21 of a wiring panel 2 (Figure 6).

The housings 35 of one fin 30 are arranged opposite the housings of the other fin 30 so that they form, with the back wall 11 of the slot 10, passage channels for the vertical wires of a wiring panel 2.

The first and second retaining lugs 32 extend over a first edge of the fixing device 3 and are intended to cooperate with two adjacent openings 131 of a first side wall 13 of a slot 10 of the post 1 (Figure 6).

In this example, the first and second retaining lugs 32 are separated by 40 mm, i.e. the distance between two consecutive openings 131.

On the second edge of the fixing piece 3, opposite the first edge, a third retaining lug 33 of the wiring panel 2 on the post 1 extends, intended to cooperate with an opening 121 of a second side wall 12 of the same slot 10.

The third retaining lug 33, which takes the form of a rectangular leg, extends in the plane of the plate 31 in a first direction.

The first and second retaining tabs 32, each having a pointed end for insertion into an opening, extend in the plane of the fins 30 in a second direction opposite the first direction. The first and second retaining tabs 32 extend on both sides of the longitudinal axis B of the third retaining tab 33, at an equal distance (20 mm, for example) from said longitudinal axis B.

The shape of the retaining lugs 32, 33 is not limited to that illustrated in the figures and could take any shape suitable for cooperating with the openings 121, 131.

Advantageously, the fixing piece 3 can be mounted in a slot 10 of a post 1 in one direction or the other, i.e. by making the clamping lugs 32, 33 cooperate interchangeably with the openings 121, 131 of the first or second side wall 12, 13, which further simplifies the fixing of a panel 2 on a post 1 and reduces the installation time of the fence (this possibility is illustrated in figure 7, for example).

According to a particular embodiment, the openings 121, 131 can be sealed by means of pre-cut tabs (not shown), the retaining lugs 32, 33 of the fixing piece 3 pushing back the tabs during fixing of the latter to the post 1.

As can be seen in Figure 6, the fixing piece 3 is capable of enclosing in the housings 35, or lights, provided for this purpose at least one vertical wire 21 of at least one panel 2 on a post 1.

It should be noted that the fixing piece 3 has one or more holes 34 for passing a screw for fixing the fixing device 3 on the post 1, such as a self-breaking screw or a conventional screw.

In this way, the fixing piece 3 becomes immovable.

Two fixing pieces 3 can be mounted opposite each other in the two respective slots 10 of a fence post 1, as illustrated in Figure 7.

In this way, two panels 2 are connected to the same post 1, and the two panels 2 can extend in the same vertical plane or in two vertical planes inclined at an angle chosen by the operator (this is the case in the example in figure 7).

If the fence is installed on sloping ground, the fixing pieces 3 arranged in each of the slots 10 of a post 1 may be offset vertically.

Thus, in the example of Figure 6, the fixing pieces 3 arranged in each of the slots 10 of the post 1 are vertically offset from each other, in a fixing step.

The solution of the invention makes it possible to further simplify the fixing of a wire fence panel to a post, and more generally facilitates the manufacture and installation of the fencing elements, particularly in cases where the fence must be installed on sloping terrain.

The metal fixing piece 3 can be installed by a single person and allows the panel(s) to be firmly attached to a post.

Rigid Fixture Installation Tool

Mounting the fixing piece 3 in the slot 10 of the post 1 is relatively simple and requires inserting the clamping finger 33 into an opening in a first side wall of a slot 10, then pushing the fixing piece 3 all the way into the slot 10 while ensuring that the two clamping fingers 32 are inserted into two adjacent openings in the second side wall.

The fixing piece, or clip, 3 is then snapped into the slot 10 and holds the panel 2 on the post 1 (a vertical wire of the panel 2 passing through a housing 35 defined in the fixing piece 3).

The metal fixing piece 3, given its rigidity, must be snapped into the slot 10 of the post 1.

Preferably, the operator may use an assembly tool 50 to insert the clamping pins 32, 33 into the corresponding openings 121, 131 of the slot 10 of the post 1.

The use of a articulated hand tool helps prevent damage to the post, such as scratches, which can be unsightly.

Such mounting tool 50 is described in connection with Figures 10 to 13F.

This tool 50, visible in particular in Figure 10, comprises two levers 51,52 intended to be manipulated with one hand.

A first lever 51 is extended by an elongated body 53 which has at its end two branches 531, 532 forming a "U", the first branch 531 extending in the extension of the body 53 and the second branch 532 perpendicular to the latter.

These branches 531, 532 are intended to come into contact with the post 1, in particular with two opposite surfaces of the I-shaped profile, as illustrated in Figures 11A and 11B and 12A to 12C. They enclose an edge of the post 1 in the manner of a stirrup and allow the tool 50 to rest in an arcuate manner on the post 1.

The branch 531 has at its end a blade 5311 which projects in the direction of the branch 532. This blade 5311 participates in the arched support of the tool 50 on the post 1 and constitutes a support surface for the fixing device 3 intended to be mounted in a groove of the post 1.

Branch 532 has at its end a curved edge 5321 that extends parallel to branch 531.

The body 53 has an articulation axis X1 of the first lever 51 with the second lever 52.

The second arm forming the lever 52 is also extended by a body 54.

A return spring 55 is connected at its ends to the first lever 51 and the second lever 52, and its purpose is to keep the latter separated.

The second lever 52 has two symmetrical bands 56 on two opposite sides, assembled by screwing on both sides of the main body 54.

Each band 56 is made up of a thin metal plate cut in a general “Z” shape, comprising near its centre a first hole intended to be traversed by the articulation axis X1, and at the level of its upper end a second hole intended to be traversed by a second articulation axis X2 of a thrust element 57 with respect to the bands 56.

This thrust element 57 has a general “T” shape, the base of which includes a transverse through hole for the passage of the articulation axis X2, and the upper part of which has a rectangular flat support surface, intended to rest against the plate 31 of a fixing piece 3. The ends of the flat support surface are curved to better enclose the plate as can be seen in figure 11 A.

The operation of this tool 50 is now described in relation to Figures 12A, 12B and 12C.

The tool 50 is positioned on one edge of the post 1 so that the two branches 531,532 forming “U” shaped support means come to enclose this edge.

The sheet 5311 is placed in the slot 10 and rests against the second side wall 13 of the slot 10.

In the position of figure 12A, the tool 50 is in the “rest” position: the return spring 55 keeps the two levers 51,52 at a distance from each other, so that the tool is “open”.

The third clamping lug 33 of the fixing piece 3 is inserted by an operator into an opening in the first side wall 12 of the slot 10, opposite the area of the post in which the tool is placed.

The edge of the fixing part 3 carrying the first and second clamping lugs 32 then rests against the support surface of the thrust element 57 and the blade 5311 of the tool 50.

As illustrated in Figure 12B, when the operator brings the levers 51, 52 of the tool 50 closer to each other, the blade 5311 and the thrust member 57 move translationally into the groove 10, thereby applying a thrust force to the clamping member 3.

The thrust element 57, pivotally mounted around the articulation axis X2, is subject to a slight rotation with respect to the bands 56, which ensures that its support surface remains in permanent contact with the plate 31 of the fixing piece 3.

The end of the fixing piece 3, which has not yet been completely inserted into the slot 10 of the post, is thus pushed back with force until the first and second clamping lugs 32 snap into the corresponding openings of the second side wall 13 of the slot 10, as illustrated in Figure 12C.

During the approach phase of the arms forming levers 51, 52, the fixing piece 3, which is incompressible, tends to locally and elastically deform the section of the post 1 to allow the coupling of the first and second clamping lugs 32 in corresponding openings of the second side wall 13.

Figures 13A to 13F show the different stages of positioning the fixing piece 3 by means of the tool 50, during the installation operation of a fence, in the case in which the fixing piece 3 serves as a support for the panel or grid 2.

Here, tool 50 is used on the inside of the fence.

The tool 50 can also be used on the outside of the fence, in the case where the fixing piece 3 serves as a lifting retainer for the panel or grid 2.

Advantageously, the tool 50 can therefore be used on either side of the fence, allowing the operator to adapt to the different mounting constraints of the fences, and in particular to the direction of insertion of the fixing piece 3 into the post (the fixing piece being able to be mounted in a slot 10 of a post 1 in one direction or the other).

Figure 13A shows the positioning of the tool 50 on an edge of the post 1. Figures 13B and 13C show the two-stage positioning of the clamping piece 3 in a slot 10 of the post 1. Figures 13D and 13E show the movement of the lever 52 towards the lever 51 allowing the clamping piece 3 to be pushed towards the bottom of the slot 10, parallel to the bottom surface. Figure 13F shows the clamping piece 3 once positioned in the slot 10, with the tool having been removed.

Flexible fixing piece

An alternative to the fixing piece 3, not covered by the claims, is shown for illustrative purposes in Figures 14, 15 and 16.

The clip 4 shown has a different structure than the previously shown clip 3, but it retains the same function and interacts with the post and the fence panels in the same way as before. Moreover, it is made of polymer and is therefore relatively flexible and deformable, unlike the clip 3, which is made of metal and is therefore relatively rigid.

The numerical references corresponding to post 1 and to the fence panels 2 are preserved (slots 10, back walls 11, side walls 12, 13, fence wires 21, 22, openings 121, 131, etc.).

Several fixing pieces 4 for securing the fixing of a rigid wire fence panel 2 to two spaced posts 1, i.e. one on each side of panel 2 at the top and one on each side of panel 2 at the bottom, i.e. two on each side of panel 2.

The elastic fixing pieces 4 are sized to fit into the slots 10 of the posts 1.

Such a fixing part 4 is made of polymer, for example plastic. It may be made of polyamide 6, for example.

This fixing piece 4 is also shaped like a parallelepiped, and has a width slightly smaller than the width of the slots 10 of the post 1.

It has two opposite edges 40 intended to rest against the side walls 12, 13 of a slot 10 of the post 1.

A first of these edges 40 comprises a first and a second tab, or notches, 42 at its ends, the second of these edges 40 comprising a third tab or notch 43 for holding the fence panel 2 onto the post 1.

These three lugs 42, 43 are prism-shaped, adapted to be inserted into the openings 121, 131 of a slot in the post. They thus have a square section and an inclined face of approximately 12°, dimensioned to prevent accidental removal of the fixing piece 4 once it is positioned on a post.

Of course, any other suitable shape of pins 42, 43 could be used.

The fixing piece 4 has on one face parallel channels 45 intended to form, with the back wall 11 of the slot 10, passage channels for the vertical wires 21 of a wiring panel 2 (Figures 15 and 16). On the other hand, the face of the fixing piece 4, opposite the face on which the channels 45 are arranged, is not flat. It comprises longitudinal ribs 41A, 41B, which extend parallel to the channels 45, between the latter.

In the illustrated example, the fixing piece 4 has three channels 45, two pairs of central ribs 41A and two lateral ribs 41B located near the edges 40. The four central ribs 41A are deeper than the two lateral ribs 41B.

Other forms of ribs 41A, 41B can be considered.

The thickness "e" of the fixing piece 4, visible in particular in Figure 16, is substantially constant over its entire length and width.

This particular structure of the fixing piece 4 as well as the polymeric material used for its production, facilitate the assembly of the piece on a post, and in particular allows the fixing piece 4 to be elastically compressed, in a direction transverse to the channels 45 and to the ribs 41A, 41B.

This fixing piece 4, due to its ability to deform, does not require a specific tool for its placement on post 1, nor even for its disassembly.

To insert it into a slot 10 of the post 1, the operator must manually bring the edges 40 of the fixing piece 4 closer together, then, once the fixing piece 4 is positioned, release them so that the fixing piece 4 returns to its initial shape.

When the fixing piece 4 is placed on a post 1, the surface carrying the ribs 41A, 41B is substantially parallel to the bottom wall 11 of the groove 10, and each edge 40 is substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall 11.

The width of the fixing piece 4 is slightly smaller than the width of the slots 10 of the post 1.

The first and second retaining lugs 42 extend over a first edge 40 of the fixing device 4 and are intended to cooperate with two adjacent openings 131 of a first side wall 13 of a slot 10 of the post 1.

In this example, the first and second retaining lugs 42 are separated by 40 mm, i.e. the distance between two consecutive openings 131.

On the second edge 40 of the fixing piece 3, opposite the first edge 40, a third retaining tab 43 of the wiring panel 2 on the post 1 extends, intended to cooperate with an opening 121 of a second side wall 12 of the same slot 10.

The third retaining lug 43 extends between the two faces of the fixing device 4 in a first direction. The first and second retaining lugs 42 extend between the two faces of the fixing device 4 in a second direction, opposite to the first direction.

The first and second retaining tabs 42 extend on both sides of the longitudinal axis B of the third retaining tab 43, at equal distance (20 mm, for example) from said longitudinal axis B (Figure 16).

The shape of the retaining lugs 42, 43 is not limited to that illustrated in the figures and could take any shape suitable for cooperating with the openings 121, 131.

Advantageously, the fixing piece 4 can be mounted in a slot 10 of a post 1 in one direction or the other, i.e. by making the clamping lugs 42, 43 cooperate interchangeably with the openings 121, 131 of the first or second side wall 12, 13, which further simplifies the fixing of a panel 2 on a post 1 and reduces the installation time of the fence.

Two fixing pieces 4 can be mounted opposite each other in the two respective slots 10 of a fence post 1, as illustrated in Figure 14.

In this way, two panels 2 are connected to the same post 1, and the two panels 2 can extend in the same vertical plane or in two vertical planes inclined at an angle chosen by the operator.

If the fence is installed on sloping ground, the fixing pieces 4 arranged in each of the slots 10 of a post 1 may be offset vertically.

Thus, the fixing pieces 4 arranged in each of the slots 10 of the post 1 can be vertically displaced relative to each other in one fixing step.

This further simplifies the installation of a fence panel on a post, and more generally facilitates the manufacture and installation of fencing elements, particularly in cases where the fence must be installed on sloping terrain.

The deformable fixing piece 4 can be installed by a single person and allows the panel(s) to be firmly attached to a post.

It should be noted that the fixing piece 4 can be put into place using the tool 50 described above according to the different installation stages, during the operation of placing a fence, detailed above.

Reinforcement element of a fence post

In order to optimize the mechanical resistance of the hollow posts, in particular when screening elements are interposed between the vertical wires of the panels 2, it is also proposed to use a reinforcement 5 that can be inserted inside the hollow posts 1, for example through the top of the post.

Post 1 can then be finished with a cap that snaps onto post 1.

This internal reinforcement 5, illustrated in Figure 9, has a 1-shaped cross section and can be formed by three independent parts 51, 52, 53 that can be assembled manually in a reversible manner.

The three parts 51, 52, 53 can be joined together by a tenon-mortise assembly, for example.

The storage and transport of the three parts 51, 52, 53 can be carried out "flat", with the three parts disassembled and superimposed.

The reinforcement 5 may have another shape and be sized to be used in other types of posts other than the one illustrated in the figures and which is the object of the invention.

The inner reinforcement can be monobloc in one variant.

It is made of a material that meets the expected resistance levels, for example steels, alloys, composite materials.

Such internal reinforcements 5 can be inserted into the posts of a fence at the time of its installation but also after it has been installed in order to further reinforce it.

Claims (9)

1. Fixing piece (3) intended for fixing at least one rigid fence panel (2) consisting of a lattice of vertical (21) and horizontal (22) wires to a fence post (1), comprising on two opposite sides a slot (10) for receiving a vertical edge of said fence panel (2), each of said slots (10) comprising a back wall (11) and two side walls (12, 13) extending opposite each other substantially perpendicular to the back wall (11), openings (121, 131) being regularly distributed along each of the side walls (12, 13) of each of said slots (10), the openings (121, 131) of a first of the side walls (12, 13) of each of said slots (10) being located offset with respect to the openings. (121, 131) of the second of said side walls (12, 13) in the longitudinal direction of said slots (10), said fixing piece (3) of said panel (2) on the post (1) being intended to be housed in one of said slots (10) for receiving the post (1) and to cooperate with the openings (121, 131) of each of the side walls (12, 13) of the slot (10), said fixing piece (3) comprising three retaining lugs, namely: - on a first edge, first and second tabs (32) for securing said panel (2) to said post (1) spaced apart from each other and intended to cooperate with two openings (121,131) in a first of said side walls (12,13) of the slot (10), and - on a second edge, opposite the first edge, a third tab (33) for securing said panel (2) to said post (1) intended to cooperate with an opening (121, 131) of a second of said side walls (12, 13) of the slot (10), characterized in that said fixing piece (3) comprises a plate (31) extended at two of its opposite ends by a fin (30) extending essentially perpendicular to the plate (31) and each intended to bear against the back wall (11) of a slot (10) of the post (1), the third tab (33) extending in the plane of the plate (31) along a first direction, each of the first and second retaining tabs (32) extending in the plane of one of the fins (30) along a second direction, opposite to the first. 2. Fixing piece (3) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and second clamping lugs (32) extend on both sides of the longitudinal axis (B) of the third clamping lug (33), at equal distance from said longitudinal axis (B). 3. Fixing piece (3) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fins (30) each have at least one light (35) for the passage of a vertical wire (21,22) of said panel (2). 4. Fixing piece (3) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said plate (31) comprises at least one hole (34) for the passage of a fixing screw of said fixing piece (3) to said post (1). 5. Fence post (1) intended to cooperate with at least one fixing piece (3, 4) according to one of claims 1 to 4 for fixing at least one rigid wire fence panel (2) consisting of a lattice of vertical (21) and horizontal (22) wires to said post (1), said post (1) comprising on two opposite sides a slot (10) for receiving a vertical edge of a rigid wire fence panel (2), said slot (10) comprising a bottom wall (11) and two side walls (12, 13) extending opposite each other substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall (11), openings (121, 131) being regularly distributed along each of the side walls (12, 13) of each of said slots (10), said post (1) being characterized in that, for each of said slots (10), the openings (121, 131) of a first of said side walls (12, 13) are positioned so as to be offset with respect to the openings (121, 131) of the second of said side walls (12, 13) in the longitudinal direction of said slots (10). 6. Fence post (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the axis of the openings (121, 131) of the first of said side walls (12, 13) extends between the axes of two adjacent openings (121, 131) of the second of said side walls (12, 13) and at an equal distance from the latter. 7. Fence post (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that it has a hollow structure. 8. Fence post (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises a reinforcing insert (5) arranged in the hollow structure and intended to improve the mechanical resistance of said post (1). 9. Fence post (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that said insert (5) comprises three parts (51, 52, 53) assembled reversibly to one another.