Fastening system

[0001] This application claims priority to Australian Patent Application No. 2022901570 filed Jun. 8, 2022, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The present invention relates to a rail that is fixable to a surface and is adapted to provide a support to which flexible materials may be attached.

[0003] Netted barriers have a number of uses, not the least of which is as an animal, pet and/or cat enclosure. Netted barriers, including netted enclosures, may be constructed using a number of netting or mesh materials. For example, up to 50×50 mm four-gauge galvanised mesh fixed to a timber frame using washers and Tec screws; 25×25 mm light-weight mesh fixed to a timber frame using washers and Tec screws; galvanised “chicken wire” which may be held in place by battens; or shade cloth or flexible nylon netting held in place by staples, galvanised wire ties or specialised fasteners.

[0004] Construction of netted enclosures requires a stable and reliable support to which a flexible net may be attached, and which can bear the weight of the stretching taut of the net. The net should also be able to bear the weight of an enclosed animal trying to climb the net or escape the enclosure.

[0005] Commercially installed animal enclosures frequently employ a multi-stranded galvanised or stainless steel wire that encircles the area to be enclosed and is pulled tight by the use of turnbuckles at the end of each section of wire. Turnbuckles must be installed at both internal and external corners around the perimeter of the enclosure to tension the wire. A flexible net is attached to the wire by use of clips that are installed along the edge of the net.

[0006] While the above-described netting arrangements are capable of providing safe and secure netted enclosures, installers typically encounter difficulties when installing around corners and in areas where there are edges with complex shapes and profiles.

[0007] The present invention seeks to provide an alternative method and system for securing netting to a frame or other stationary support, which method and system simplifies installation of the net.

[0008] It is to be appreciated that any discussion of documents, devices, acts or knowledge in this specification is included to explain the context of the present invention. Further, the discussion throughout this specification comes about due to the realisation of the inventor and/or the identification of certain related art problems by the inventor. Moreover, any discussion of material such as documents, devices, acts or knowledge in this specification is included to explain the context of the invention in terms of the inventor's knowledge and experience and, accordingly, any such discussion should not be taken as an admission that any of the material forms part of the prior art base or the common general knowledge in the relevant art in Australia, or elsewhere, on or before the priority date of the disclosure herein.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide an improved method and system for securing netting or the like to a frame or other stationary support.

[0010] A further object of the present invention is to alleviate at least one disadvantage associated with the related art.

[0011] It is an object of the embodiments described herein to overcome or alleviate at least one of the above noted drawbacks of related art systems or to at least provide a useful alternative to related art systems.

[0012] The present invention provides a substantially elongate fastening rail comprising a first end and a second end and a plurality of fastening regions having fixing regions located therebetween, wherein the first end, the second end and the fixing regions are each adapted to receive a fixing member.

[0013] The present invention also provides the use of a fastening rail according to the present invention in the assembly of a netted barrier or enclosure, wherein the fastening rail is fixed to a stationary support or frame using fixing members that pass through the fixing portions and a net is attached to the fastening region via clips engaging the fastening region of the fastening rail.

[0014] The present invention further provides a system comprising a fastening rail according to the present invention for attachment to a stationary support and a flexible material, wherein the fastening rail is fixed to the stationary support and the flexible material is attached to the fastening region of the fastening rail to form a barrier, optionally defining at least a part of an enclosure for enclosing an animal.

[0015] Various aspects and preferred forms are disclosed in the specification and/or defined in the appended claims, forming a part of the description of the invention.

[0016] In essence, embodiments of the present invention stem from the realization that a rigid rail held slightly above a surface, to which the net is to be affixed, provides an improved substrate to which the net can be readily attached. Other aspects and preferred forms are disclosed in the specification and/or defined in the appended claims, forming a part of the description of the invention.

[0017] Further scope of applicability of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the disclosure herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

[0023] For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “interior,” “exterior,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 4. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. Additionally, unless otherwise specified, it is to be understood that discussion of a particular feature or component extending in or along a given direction or the like does not mean that the feature or component follows a straight line or axis in such a direction or that it only extends in such direction or on such a plane without other directional components or deviations, unless otherwise specified.

[0024] As used herein, the terms “net”, “netting” or “netted” relate to a flexible material designed to allow light and air to pass through but prevent large objects and animals from passing through. Exemplary forms of netting include, but are not limited to: shade cloth; or flexible nylon netting, for example having openings of approximately 20×20 mm, 30×30 mm, 40×40 mm or 50×50 mm.

[0025] Exemplary embodiments of a fastening rail according to the present invention are illustrated in FIGS. 1A-C, 2, 3 and 4.

[0026] Referring to all the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, the present invention provides a substantially elongate fastening rail 100 comprising a first end 110 and a second end 120 and a plurality of fastening regions 130 and fixing regions 140 located therebetween, wherein the first end 110, the second end 120 and fixing regions 140 are each adapted to receive a fixing member 149, whereby the fixing member 149 releasably secures the fastening rail 100 to a stationary support. Preferably, each pair of fastening regions 130 is separated by a fixing region 140. Most preferably, the first end 110, the plurality of fastening regions 130 and fixing regions 140, and the second end 120 are disposed linearly.

[0027] The fixing regions 140 may be of any convenient shape or configuration that is suitable for interaction with the fixing member 149 such that the fastening rail 100 may be secured to a surface of a structure. In embodiments of the present invention, the fixing regions 140 are substantially U-shaped. Preferably, each of the fixing regions 140 comprises two linking portions 145 and a fixing portion 147 located between the linking portions 145. Preferably, the fixing portion 147 is adapted to receive a fixing member 149, such as a screw or other similar fastener, whereby the fastening rail 100 may be secured to a stationary support.

[0028] As used herein, the term “U-shaped” is intended to describe the general shape of the fixing region 140 and is intended to encompass similar shapes such as “V”, wherein the bottom of the “U” or the valley of the “V” defines the fixing portion 147. During installation of the fastening rail 100, a fixing member 149 is passed through the fixing portion 147, whereby a flange on the fixing member 149 and/or a washer associated with the fixing member 149 covers at least part of the fixing portion to secure the fastening rail 100 to a stationary support.

[0029] The first and second ends 110,120 are of substantially similar arrangement to the fixing regions 140 except that each of the first and second ends 110,120 joins only one fastening region 130.

[0030] The linking portions 145 are preferably continuous with the fixing portion 147. Preferably, each linking portion 145 is also continuous with a fastening region 130 and each fastening region 130 is bounded by linking portions 145, or a linking portion 145 and a first or second end 110, 120.

[0031] In some embodiments of the present invention, the linking portions 145 and the fixing portion 147 are co-planar. Alternatively, and in order to facilitate use of the fastening rail 100, the linking portions 145 and the fixing portion 147 are not co-planar, whereby the fastening regions 130 and linking portions 145 are in a first plane and the fixing portions 147 are in a second plane. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 1C, there is an obtuse angle between the first plane and the second plane. More preferably, the obtuse angle (e) is between 90 and 170 degrees; or between 90 and 150 degrees; or between 110 and 150 degrees; or approximately 135 degrees.

[0032] The angle between the fixing portion and the linking portion means that when the fixing portion is secured to a surface and lies flat thereagainst, the linking portion is angled away from the surface, thereby positioning the fastening region away from the surface and facilitating attachment of the net thereto.

[0033] In preferred embodiments, the fastening region is substantially linear. In further preferred embodiments, each fastening region is adapted to be engaged by a clip, wherein the clip is also attached to a net.

[0034] In preferred embodiments, the fastening rail is comprised of a substantially rigid metal, preferably steel, optionally stainless steel. Preferably, the rail is comprised of a rod with a substantially circular cross-section of between 3 mm and 10 mm in diameter. Most preferably, the rod has a diameter of approximately 3 mm to 6 mm. In certain embodiments, the rod has a diameter of 3.15 mm.

[0035] In certain embodiments of the invention, the fastening region may be of a length that will not substantially bend under the forces applied by the taut netting material attached thereto. For example, and without limitation, in embodiments where the fastening rail is constructed from 3.15 mm diameter stainless steel, the fastening region may be in the order of 300 to 400 mm long, optionally, between 330 and 370 mm. In yet further embodiments, the fastening regions may be approximately 340, 350 or 360 mm long.

[0036] During installation of the fastening rail, it is envisaged that the fastening region may be bent in order to pass around a corner. It is this aspect of the present invention that provides one of the advantages of the invention over previous fastening systems. Previous systems required fixtures at corners in order to fix and tension the wire to which the net would be attached. Using the present system, there are no mounting components under tension, and the fastening rail is held above, or away from, the surface to which the fastening rail is secured. Bending the fastening rail to match a corner of the surface allows the fastening rail to pass around the corner, maintaining its displacement from the surface and facilitating attachment of the net.

[0037] The present invention also provides a method of using a fastening rail according to present invention in the assembly of a netted barrier or enclosure, wherein the fastening rail is fixed to a stationary support such as a wall using fixing member that pass through the fixing portions and a net is attached to the fastening region via clips engaging the fastening region of the fastening rail. In preferred embodiments, the netted enclosure is a pet enclosure.

[0038] While the invention is described herein in relation to pet enclosures, the invention is not so limited. For example, other animal enclosures such as bird enclosures or aviaries could be constructed using the rails of the present invention. Netted barriers constructed using the system of the present invention also find application in excluding animals, including birds, from areas, such as building roofs and undercover carparks. Additionally, any form of netted enclosure or wall could employ the fastening rail of the present invention as would be readily understood by the skilled reader. The rails of the present invention may find application in any number of situations where a flexible material must be held tight or stretched. This could include, for example, situations in which shade cloth must be held tight or stretched.

[0039] “Comprises/comprising” and “includes/including” when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof. Thus, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words ‘comprise’, ‘comprising’, ‘includes’, ‘including’ and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”.

[0040] When a Markush group or other grouping is used herein, all individual members of the group and all combinations and sub-combinations possible of the group members are intended to be individually included in the disclosure. Every combination of components described or exemplified herein can be used to practice the invention, unless otherwise stated.

[0041] One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that materials and methods, other than those specifically exemplified can be employed in the practice of the invention without resort to undue experimentation. All art-known functional equivalents, of any such materials and methods are intended to be included in this invention. The terms and expressions which have been employed are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention that in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed. Thus, it should be understood that although the present invention has been specifically disclosed by examples, preferred embodiments and optional features, modification and variation of the concepts herein disclosed may be resorted to by those skilled in the art, and that such modifications and variations are considered to be within the scope of this invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0042]

Table of parts
	No.	Part
	100	Fastening rail
	110	First end
	120	Second end
	130	Fastening region
	140	Fixing region
	145	Linking portion
	147	Fixing portion
	149	Fixing member