U.S. patent application number 10/082522 was filed with the patent office on 2003-08-28 for virtual privacy fence panels.
Invention is credited to Osipovs, Margaret Allen.
Application Number | 20030160225 10/082522 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27753115 |
Filed Date | 2003-08-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030160225 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Osipovs, Margaret Allen |
August 28, 2003 |
Virtual privacy fence panels
Abstract
Privacy panels that are attached to a non-privacy fence to turn
the non-privacy fence into a virtual privacy fence that also
provides a wind blocking function. Lightweight panels that can be
decorated are hung from or otherwise attached to an existing fence
so that the view of anyone trying to see through the fence is
blocked. The panels may be constructed of a solid or semi-solid
material or they can be made of a material that may be rolled up
for storage. The panels are preferably attached to the fence with
loops or Velcro straps however, other attachment means may be
utilized. The panels can be made of a single material or each panel
can have an inner material with one or more outer coverings.
Optionally, hooks and pockets can be provided on the panels for
hanging and storage of personal items.
Inventors: |
Osipovs, Margaret Allen;
(Chesapeake, VA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Jeffrey K. Seto
617 Tinkerbell Rd.
Chapel Hill
NC
27514
US
|
Family ID: |
27753115 |
Appl. No.: |
10/082522 |
Filed: |
February 23, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
256/45 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 17/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
256/45 |
International
Class: |
E04H 017/02; B21F
027/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A removably attachable virtual privacy fence assembly adapted to
be removably attached to an existing fence, the assembly providing
a privacy and wind-blocking function, said fence having a
predetermined size and surface area with outer and inner surfaces,
said virtual privacy fence assembly comprising: one or more
generally rectangular panel elements, each panel element comprising
a flexible planar material for placement on said outer or inner
surface of said fence, each panel element having a top, bottom, and
side edges and being large enough to cover at least a portion of
the surface area of said fence, wherein multiple panel elements may
be used to completely cover the outer or inner surface area of the
fence; and each panel element comprises at least one attachment
device for securing the panel element to said fence wherein the
attachment device(s) are connected to the top, bottom, and/or side
edges of said panel elements.
2. The virtual privacy fence assembly of claim 1, wherein said
attachment device(s) for securing said panel element(s) to said
fence comprises a strap in the form of a loop and the loop is
secured to the panel elements by being sewn, glued, riveted, or
stapled to the panel elements.
3. The virtual privacy fence assembly of claim 1, wherein said
attachment device comprises a strap and one end of the strap is
permanently attached to the panel and the other end of the strap is
releasably attached to the panel via at least one fastener selected
from a group consisting of Velcro, loop and peg, snaps, buttons,
buckles, and hooks and eyes.
4. The virtual privacy fence assembly of claim 1, wherein said
panel elements comprise an inner material and one or more outer
coverings.
5. The virtual privacy fence assembly of claim 1, wherein one or
more of the panels are decorated with artwork, pictures, additional
fabric and/or a mural.
6. The virtual privacy fence assembly of claim 1, wherein said
panel elements are in a shape other than rectangular.
7. The virtual privacy fence assembly of claim 1, wherein said
flexible planar material of said panel elements comprises at least
one substance selected from a group consisting of canvas, plastic,
vinyl, polyethylene, nylon, cotton, cloth, paper, fiber, polyester
or metal.
8. The virtual privacy fence assembly of claim 1, wherein the
attachment device comprises a rope, nylon, fabric, Velcro, fabric,
polyester and/or an elastic material.
9. The virtual privacy fence assembly of claim 1, wherein one or
more garment hooks and/or pockets are provided on one or more of
the panels for hanging and storage of personal items.
10. The virtual privacy fence assembly of claim 1, wherein the
attachment device is one or more hooks.
11. A method for providing privacy and wind-blocking through the
use of a removably attachable virtual privacy fence assembly that
is adapted to be removably attached to an existing fence, wherein
the fence has a predetermined size, and outer and inner surfaces,
the method comprising the steps of: designing one or more generally
rectangular panel elements wherein, the panel elements are
comprised of a flexible planar material for placement on the outer
or inner surface of the fence, the panel elements having a top,
bottom, and side edges and the panel elements may be used to
completely cover the surface area of the fence; and securing the
panel elements to the fence with one or more attachment devices
that are secured to the top, bottom, and/or side edges of the panel
elements.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein said attachment device(s) for
securing said panel element(s) to said fence comprises a strap in
the form of a loop and the loop is secured to the panel elements by
being sewn, glued, riveted, or stapled to the panel elements.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein said attachment devices
comprise a strap and one end of the strap is permanently attached
to the panel and the other end of the strap is releasably attached
to the panel via at least one fastener selected from a group
consisting of Velcro, loop and peg, snaps, buttons, buckles, and
hooks and eyes.
14. The method of claim 11, wherein said panel elements comprise an
inner material and one or more outer coverings.
15. The method of claim 11, wherein one or more of the panels are
decorated with artwork, pictures, additional fabric and/or a
mural.
16. The method of claim 11, wherein said panel elements are in a
shape other than rectangular.
17. The method of claim 11, wherein said flexible planar material
of said panel elements comprises at least one substance selected
from a group consisting of canvas, plastic, vinyl, polyethylene,
nylon, cotton, cloth, paper, fiber or metal.
18. The method of claim 11, wherein the attachment devices comprise
a rope, nylon, polyester, fabric and/or an elastic material.
19. The method of claim 11, wherein one or more garment hooks
and/or pockets are provided on one or more of the panels for
hanging and storage of personal items.
20. The method of claim 11, wherein the attachment device is one or
more hooks.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to privacy fences,
and more specifically to privacy panels that can be attached to a
non-privacy fence to turn the non-privacy fence into a virtual
privacy fence.
[0002] The enclosing of land with some form of fencing material
dates far back into history. Many different types of enclosures
have been developed out of the desire to enclose or exclude
animals, people or to provide privacy. Throughout history fences
have been built of many materials including hedges, stone,
concrete, wood, and wire.
[0003] The Encyclopedia Britannica defines a fence as a "barrier
erected to confine or exclude people or animals, to define
boundaries, or to decorate." Timber, earth, stone, and metal are
widely used for fencing. The Encyclopedia further describes the
history of fences as follows:
[0004] "Fences of living plants have been made in many places, such
as the hedges of Great Britain and continental Europe and the
cactus fences of Latin America. In well-timbered country, such as
colonial and 19th-century North America, many patterns of timber
fence were developed, such as the split rail laid zigzag, the post
rail, and the picket. On the East European Plain and in the western
United States, fences of turf were erected that often stood for
years in the absence of heavy rains. Wire, the preeminent modern
fencing material, was first used in the mid-19th century, with the
development of methods of mass production. Woven wire fences,
affixed to wood, steel, or concrete posts, proved economical and
durable (wood posts may be treated with preservative). The
invention of the barbed-wire fence in the 1860s and of a machine
for its manufacture in 1874 made possible effective fencing of
cattle range."
[0005] Today, fences are commonly used within and around the
perimeter of commercial and residential property to form a barrier
erected to confine or exclude people or animals, define boundaries,
decorate, or restrict view. Many fences currently on the market
have wide gaps between their posts or rails such that people can
see through to the property within the fence. In certain
situations, it is desirable for people not to be able to see
through the fence, so that those inside the fenced area can enjoy
some privacy. Privacy fences were designed to meet this need.
However, many people that enjoy privacy purchase homes and other
properties that already have an existing fence that is not a
privacy fence around the home or property. It would be very
expensive for these people to tear down the existing fence and
install a privacy fence. What is needed is an inexpensive way to
change a non-privacy fence into the functional equivalent of a
privacy fence, a virtual privacy fence.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,143,857 to Weiner, discloses a fence which
provides effective barriers to the attempts of children to climb.
The non-climbable barriers contain small openings to reduce wind
loading on the fence and are configured so as not to provide hand
or foot holds for children. The Weiner patent also discloses a
self-closing gate with a child-resistant latch. Since the disclosed
barriers contain openings to reduce wind loading on the fence they
do not block the view of the area inside the fenced enclosure.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,799,929 to Meglino, et al. discloses fence
slats for chain link fences that are slid into channels of the
chain link fence. The fence slats have a pair of stops extending
outwardly that prevent movement of the slat within the channels of
the chain link fence. The slats are intended to act as a windbreak
and provide some privacy. The slats may only be used with chain
link fences and after the slats are in place many gaps, which
people can see through, still exist in the fence.
[0008] Each of the above systems suffers from a number of
deficiencies. Their designs do not allow for the consumer to
convert any existing fence with gaps into a privacy fence. There is
a need to provide the public with an inexpensive, lightweight means
to convert an existing fence, which provides a view into and out of
the enclosed area, into a fence that obstructs the view into and
out of the enclosed area.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] A removably attachable virtual privacy fence assembly
comprising two main parts; a number of generally rectangular panel
elements and a means on each panel for securing the panel elements
to an existing fence. Each of the panel elements is made of a
flexible planar material for placement on either the inner or outer
surface of the existing fence. The flexible planar material of the
panel elements can be made of canvas, plastic, vinyl, polyethylene,
nylon, cotton, cloth, paper, fiber and/or metal. Each panel element
has top, bottom, and side edges and is large enough to cover at
least a portion of the surface area of the fence. Multiple panel
elements may be used to completely cover the surface area of the
fence.
[0010] The panel elements of the virtual privacy fence assembly may
be secured to the fence by means of one or more straps. The straps
used to secure the panel elements to the fence may be Velcro
straps, hooks, loops, snaps, buttons, buckles, or hooks and eyes.
The straps can be secured to the panel elements by being sewn,
glued, riveted, or stapled to the panel elements.
[0011] It is an object of the present invention to provide
inexpensive, lightweight panels that can be easily attached to an
existing non-privacy fence, so that the view of anyone trying to
see through the fence is blocked. The panels may be constructed of
a solid or semi-solid material or they can be made of a canvas-type
or vinyl material that is stored in rolls. The panels are
preferably attached to the fence with loops or Velcro straps
however other means of attachment may be utilized.
[0012] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
lightweight affordable wind-block that can be attached to an
existing fence via multiple attachment devices and effectively
block strong winds from disturbing people and objects inside the
fence.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The invention of the present application will now be
described in more detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings, given only by way of example, in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the present
privacy panel;
[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of the present privacy
panel;
[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates other embodiments of the privacy
panel;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method for placing the
first privacy panel;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a flow chart listing the steps for placing other
privacy panels; and,
[0019] FIG. 6 illustrates a privacy panel with a decorative
design.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of the present
privacy panel 100 is shown. The panel 100 is preferably formed of a
semi-rigid material that may flex but generally maintains a fixed
shape and size. The panel 100 is defined by a top edge 115, left
side 120, bottom edge 125, and right side 130. The two attachment
devices, or straps, 105 are provided at opposite ends of the
panel's top edge 115. Straps 105 are used for attaching the present
privacy panel to an existing non-privacy fence. More than two
attachment devices may be required and the location of the
attachment devices can be in other locations on the panels than
along the top edge. Alternate strap positions 110 are shown on the
sides of panel 100. Such positioning allows the privacy panel to
extend the height of the fence to which the panel is attached,
thereby also extending the amount of privacy that is provided.
Bottom attachment devices 135 are shown as hooks that preferably
are made of metal or a strong plastic and are attached to the panel
100 via an elastic strap that allows secure positioning of the
panel against the existing fence. Attachment devices will be
required on the bottom, as well as the top of the panel, when
lightweight materials are used in the construction of the panel in
order to provide a wind-blocking function. The semi-rigid material
of panel 100 performs a privacy function by turning a non-privacy
fence into the functional equivalent of a privacy fence. The
privacy panels may be customized to fit different shapes and sizes
of non-privacy fences. Preferably, each panel stretches from
fence-post to fence-post. However, panels such as the one shown in
FIG. 1 have loops that can be placed over individual pickets, in a
picket fence for example, allowing for the use of non-customized
panels as well. Panel 100 is also preferably lightweight yet heavy
enough so as not to be blown about by light winds. The straps 105
shown in FIG. 1 are permanent loops. The strap itself is preferably
made of canvas, rope or a plastic however, other materials can be
used and the strap may be elastic. Both ends of both straps 105 are
permanently attached to the panel 100 by sewing, rivets, or other
well-known attachment means. In other embodiments, one end of each
strap is releasably attachable to the panel. Such strap designs
allow for attaching the panel to a fence when there are no posts or
pickets to place a loop over. When a releasable strap is used,
Velcro, snaps or other well-known releasable attachment means are
used to releasably attach one end of the strap to the panel.
[0021] FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the present privacy
panel, which comprises three foldable sections 200, 201 and 202.
This embodiment allows for foldable storage of large privacy panels
allowing a folded panel to occupy a footprint that is only 1/3 of
the unfolded panel. Two loops are provided as the attachment
devices 205. As mentioned above, the loops can be permanent or the
straps can be releasably attached to the panel. Thus a loop can be
placed around the top of a fence-post, or one end of the strap can
be detached from the panel, wrapped around any portion of the fence
and reattached to the panel, to secure the privacy panel to the
fence. The foldable panel 200-202 is defined by top edge 215, left
side 220, bottom edge 225 and right side 230. While opposite sides
220 and 230 and opposite edges 215 and 225 are shown as being
parallel, other embodiments provide for panels without parallel
opposite sides or edges. Those other embodiments include customized
privacy panels that have been specifically designed for a
particular fence. Since fences come in many sizes and designs, it
logically follows that the present privacy panels could be made to
virtually any shape and size in order to conform to a particular
fence. Optionally, garment hook 235 and storage pocket 240 can be
provided on the present panels. Hook 235 would serve a useful
purpose when the present panels are used on a fence around a
swimming pool, for example. Pool patrons could use hook 235 to hang
towels or clothing and prevent the towels or clothing from getting
wet. Storage pocket 240 is preferably made of a mesh material and
could be used to hold keys, wallets and other personal items. Both
hook 235 and pocket 240 could be attached to the panel via any
number of well know attaching means such as sewing, rivets, snaps
or buttons.
[0022] FIG. 3 shows two privacy panels 300 and 301 that have been
rolled for storage. Privacy panels 300 and 301 can be made of any
number of flexible materials such as plastic, canvas, polyester,
rubber, natural materials, and any combination of these, for
example. Privacy panels made of lightweight material that is easy
blown by the wind are provided with additional attachment devices,
such as releasably attached straps, sufficient to maintain the
unrolled shape of the privacy panel while the panel is attached to
a fence. Since it is also an object of the present invention to
provide a wind-block, panels made of lightweight materials such as
canvas and vinyl will preferably have top, side and bottom
attachment devices. Attachment devices 305 are shown in FIG. 3 for
each of the privacy panels 300 and 301. As mentioned above, the
location and number of the attachment devices can vary. A privacy
panel that is designed to follow around or fit into the corner of a
fence, for example, may have an attachment device in the center of
the panel. Such corner panels and panels made of a lightweight
material such as canvas, are examples of panels that would come
equipped with more than two attachment devices.
[0023] FIG. 4 illustrates the steps for using or placing the first
privacy panel. In step 400, panels that block the line of sight
through a fence are provided. In step 405, if the panel is a
sectional panel that has been folded or is a panel that is in a
roll, then the panel is unfolded or unrolled. The next step, 410,
is to find all of the attachment devices on the privacy panel. If
the panel is a heavier embodiment with an inner core and one or
more outer layers for example, then attachment devices may only be
provided along the top edge of the panel. Of course, heavier
embodiment panels may optionally have attachment devices at their
bottom edges and other locations as well. In step 415, the first
attachment device is placed around a portion of an existing fence.
If the attachment device is a strap in the form of a loop, then the
loop is placed over and around the top of a fence-post. The
existing fence should be sturdy enough to support the weight of the
privacy panel(s). The bottom edge of the privacy panel may touch
the ground or may be suspended above the ground. When no sufficient
fence-posts or pickets are available, then an attachment device
that allows for one end of the strap to temporarily be detached
from the panel must be used. The detached end of the strap may then
be intertwined with a portion of the fence and reattached to the
panel, so as to hold the privacy panel to the fence. Again, the
bottom edge may rest on the ground or may be suspended above the
ground. In step 420, the second attachment device is either placed
around a fence-post or intertwined with a portion of the fence. In
step 425, other attachment devices of the first panel are
optionally secured to the fence. The steps involved in placing
other privacy panels are described below.
[0024] FIG. 5 illustrates the steps for placing second, third and
other privacy panels. In step 500, if the next panel to be attached
to the fence is a sectional panel that has been folded or is in a
roll, then the panel is unfolded or unrolled. Next, step 505, all
of the attachment devices on the privacy panel are identified. It
is likely, but not required, that all panels of a set of panels
associated with one fence will have similar features such as
weight, thickness, and locations of the attachment devices.
Therefore, if the first panel only had attachment devices on the
top edge, then it is likely that the second and other panels will
only have attachment devices on their top edges as well. Of course,
this is not to say that all panels of a set of panels must have the
exact same number of attachment devices. In step 510, the first
attachment device of the next panel is placed around a portion of
an existing fence. If the attachment device is a strap in the form
of a loop, then the loop is placed over and around the top of a
fence-post. If the second panel is to be placed adjacent to the
first panel, then the first loop of the second panel can be placed
over the same post as the last loop of the first panel. Again, when
no sufficient fence-posts or pickets are available, then the
attachment device would be one that allows for one end of the strap
to temporarily be detached from the panel. The detached end of the
strap may then be intertwined with a portion of the fence and
reattached to the panel, so as to hold the privacy panel to the
fence. In step 515, the second attachment device is either placed
around a fence-post or intertwined with a portion of the fence. As
above, the bottom edge may rest on the ground or may be suspended
above the ground. Many of the present privacy panels will be secure
on an existing fence after the placement of only two attachment
devices. However, if more than two attachment devices are provided
then the person attaching the privacy panels to the fence may
optionally use the additional attachment devices to more fully
secure the panel to the fence, step 520. In this last step, if more
panels are to be placed on the fence then steps 500-520 are
repeated.
[0025] It may only take one panel to provide the desired level of
privacy. For a house in a wooded area, the backyard swimming pool,
for instance, may have only a small portion visible to
non-residents of the house from the driveway or the connecting
street. In this case, only the portion of the fence facing the
driveway or street needs to be covered with the present panel(s) to
provide privacy and only one privacy panel may be required to meet
this need. However, in most cases more than one panel will be used
to provide privacy and turn a see through fence into a privacy
fence. In such cases, the normal usage of the privacy panels is to
place the panels sided by side so that two adjacent privacy panels
touch, and the placement of each additional panel extends the
amount of privacy provided. The ultimate in privacy is achieved by
covering an entire fence with privacy panels so that no one outside
the fence no matter where they are located can see through to the
inside of the fence. Just as panels can be customized to particular
fence sizes, panels can also be customized to fit any gate size as
well. So the entire fence including the gate can be covered to
block the view of unwanted onlookers.
[0026] FIG. 6 illustrates the possible decorative features of the
present privacy panels. Instead of only providing privacy, the
present panels can also be decorated to provide a form of
entertainment for those viewing the panels. Since most fences are
of substantial size, the panels will generally be of equal size and
therefore may act as mini billboards and more than one panel can be
used in combination to create a mural, such as is shown in FIG. 6.
The material that the panels 600, 601 and 602 are made of, or an
outer covering of the panels, can be produced with artwork,
pictures, signs and symbols thereon. Alternatively, the artwork,
pictures, signs and symbols can be added after the panels are
produced. Further, the panels can be manufactured to allow end
users to decorate the panels themselves. Such embodiments may allow
adherence of paints or films with adhesives. Panels can even be
designed with similar characteristics as tack boards, so that items
may be tacked or stapled to the privacy panel.
[0027] The panels 600-602 of FIG. 6 may be three individual panels
that are positioned on a fence side by side, or panels 600-602 may
be one sectional panel with three sections, similar to the
sectional panel of FIG. 2. The decorative design on the panels may
also be other designs than that shown in FIG. 6. Beach scenes and
mountain landscapes are two exemplary designs that would work well
with the large surface areas provided by the present panels. For
users that prefer not to have such landscapes on their virtual
privacy fences, the panels can be made in any number of colors as
well.
[0028] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will
so fully reveal the general nature of the invention that others
can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for
various applications such specific embodiments without departing
from the generic concept. Therefore, such adaptations and
modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the
meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It
is to be understood that the phraseology of terminology employed
herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.
* * * * *