Cable fence system

• US 7,441,751 B1
• Filed: 08/22/2006
• Issued: 10/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ameristar Perimeter Security USA Inc. (Assa Abloy AB)
• Original Assignee: Edward L Gibbs
• Inventors: Gibbs, Edward L.
• Primary Examiner(s): MACARTHUR, VICTOR L
• Application Number:
  US11/466,170
• Time in Patent Office: 798 Days
• Field of Search: 256/1, 256/19, 256 21- 23, 256/32, 256/34, 256/65.14, 256/DIG.5, 256/13.1, 522/231, 522/234, 522/238, 522/231.4
• US Class Current: 256/23
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 17/143 with separate pickets attached to the side of the horizontal members
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 17/1447 Details of connections between rails and posts

Abstract

A high security fence which includes strengthening cables. The cables extend internally within the aligned rails of the fence, and through cable passageways formed in the posts which support the fence rails. The cables are anchored adjacent each end by a substrate. Anchors are installed on each end of the cable to resist pullout of the cable from the substrate, which may be a concrete-filled bollard post installed in a buried concrete deadman.

Claims

1. A fence having a base, the fence situated on a terrain and comprising:

a first terminal post at least partially filled with ballast;

a first underground substrate within which the first terminal post is embedded, the first underground substrate defining an external ground-contacting contour;

a second terminal post spaced from the first terminal post and at least partially filled with ballast;

a second underground substrate spaced from the first underground substrate and defining an external ground-contacting contour; and

a first unitary cable extending between the first and second terminal posts and having a first end and a second end;

in which the first cable extends substantially vertically within the first terminal post adjacent the first end of the first cable, and in which the first end is situated at an underground position within the external contour defined by the first underground substrate.

2. The fence of claim 1 in which the first cable extends substantially vertically within the second terminal post adjacent the second end of the first cable, and in which the second end is situated at an underground position within the external contour defined by the second underground substrate.

3. The fence of claim 1 in which the first end of the first cable is embedded within the ballast within the first terminal post.

4. The fence of claim 1, further comprising;

a first anchor attached to the first cable adjacent the first end of the first cable.

5. The fence of claim 4 in which the first terminal post has a lateral portion having a first anchor slot formed therein, the first anchor slot sized to closely but clearingly receive the first anchor therethrough.

6. The fence of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of spaced first intermediate posts situated between the first and second terminal posts, the first intermediate posts situated in a series of adjacent pairs;

a first rail system formed from a plurality of longitudinally aligned rails, the first rail system supported by the first intermediate posts so as to form a barrier between each adjacent pair of first intermediate posts.

7. The fence of claim 6 in which the first rail system is supported by the first and second terminal posts, so as to form a barrier between the first terminal post and one of said first intermediate posts adjacent the first terminal post and between the second terminal post and one of said first intermediate posts adjacent the second terminal post.

8. The fence of claim 6 in which at least one of the said first intermediate posts has a first cable passageway extending therethrough, and in which the first cable extends through the first cable passageway of the at least one first intermediate post.

9. The fence of claim 6, further comprising:

a plurality of spaced second intermediate posts situated on a side of the second terminal post opposite the first terminal post, the second intermediate posts situated in a series of adjacent pairs;

a second rail system formed from a plurality of longitudinally aligned rails, the second rail system aligned with the first rail system and supported by the second intermediate posts and second terminal post so as to form a barrier between each adjacent pair of second intermediate posts, and between the second terminal post and one of said second intermediate posts adjacent the second terminal post.

10. The fence of claim 6, further comprising:

a plurality of pickets, each picket situated intermediate each adjacent pair of first intermediate posts, each of said pickets extending in transverse relationship to the first rail system and having a lower end situated above and in close proximity to the terrain, and an upper end.

11. The fence of claim 6 in which each of said rails forming the first rail system has a longitudinal internal recess formed therein, and in which the first cable extends within at least a portion of the internal recess of at least one of said rails.

12. The fence of claim 1, further comprising:

a second cable extending between the first and second terminal posts in vertically offset relationship to the first cable, the second cable having a first end and a second end;

in which the second cable extends substantially vertically within the first terminal post adjacent the first end of the second cable, and in which the first end of the second cable is situated at an underground position within the external contour defined by the first underground substrate.

13. The fence of claim 12 in which the second cable is situated between about 44 inches and about 52 inches above the base of the fence.

14. The fence of claim 13 in which the second cable is situated about 48 inches above the base of the fence.

15. The fence of claim 12 in which the first cable is situated between about 30 inches and about 38 inches above the base of the fence and in which the second cable is situated between about 44 inches and about 52 inches above the base of the fence.

16. The fence of claim 15 in which the second cable is situated about 48 inches above the base of the fence.

17. The fence of claim 12 in which the first cable is situated about 34 inches above the base of the fence and in which the second cable is situated about 48 inches above the base of the fence.

18. The fence of claim 1 in which the first cable is situated between about 30 inches and about 38 inches above the base of the fence.

19. The fence of claim 18 in which the first cable is situated about 34 inches above the base of the fence.

20. The fence of claim 1 in which each terminal post is a hollow tubular structure.