U.S. patent application number 10/753303 was filed with the patent office on 2005-04-28 for methods and systems for multiple-material fence construction.
Invention is credited to Weitzel, Scott Allen.
Application Number | 20050087733 10/753303 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34526113 |
Filed Date | 2005-04-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050087733 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Weitzel, Scott Allen |
April 28, 2005 |
Methods and systems for multiple-material fence construction
Abstract
Various fencing methods are now common where the structure of
the fence does not readily lend itself to the attachment of a mesh
fabric, such as, wire weave or chain-link. Methods and systems are
provided to evasively and non-evasively attach mesh fabric to a new
or existing fence structure (e.g., PVC) as, for example, a
connector for an existing fence or as a fence-connector combination
for new fence installations. As a benefit, such methods and system
allow fencing structures used to contain large animals (e.g., rail
fencing), such as horses, to have a wire or other fabric attached
to contain, for example, smaller animals and children.
Inventors: |
Weitzel, Scott Allen;
(Brighton, CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Scott Weitzel
9507 E. 158 Ave.
Brighton
CO
80602
US
|
Family ID: |
34526113 |
Appl. No.: |
10/753303 |
Filed: |
January 8, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60440502 |
Jan 16, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
256/59 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01K 3/00 20130101; E04H
17/161 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
256/059 |
International
Class: |
B21F 027/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of multiple purpose fence construction, comprising the
steps of: non-invasive placement of a connector on a fence post
with a first fencing material; and attaching a second fencing
material to the connector.
2. A method of claim 1, wherein the placement step further
comprises, the steps of: assembling the connector from a plurality
of connector segments.
3. A method of claim 1, wherein the placement step further
comprises, the step of placing the connector on a fence post to
engage a fence member attached to the fence post and thereby
limiting motion of the connector along the fence post.
4. A method of claim 1, wherein the placement step further
comprises, placing the connector narrowly onto the post to resist
motion along the post by friction with the post.
5. A method of claim 1, wherein the placement step further
comprises, placing the connector onto the post to resist motion
along the post by engaging at least one of, adhesive, screw, pin,
bolt, nail, weld, tab, rib, eccentric, latch, and socket.
6. A method of claim 1, wherein the step of attaching the second
fencing material to the connector further comprises, attaching a
tensioner to the connector, the connector being operable to
accommodate attachment of the second fencing material.
7. A method of claim 1, wherein the placement step further
comprises the placement of a connector on a fence post, wherein the
fence post is a gate post.
8. A fence system comprising: a fence post operable to support a
first fencing material; and a connector operable to narrowly fit
onto the fence post and operable to accept the attachment of a
second fencing material.
9. A connector of claim 8 further comprising: a plurality of
joinable segments operable to form the connector.
10. A connector of claim 8 further comprising: an openable
connector operable to form the connector.
11. A connector of claim 8 further comprising: a connector operable
to accept a tensioner; and a tensioner operable to support the
attachment of the second fencing material.
12. A connector of claim 8 further comprising, a second connector
operable to support attachment of the second fencing material.
13. A fence post of claim 8 further comprising a gate post.
14. A fence post comprising: a fence post operable to support a
first fencing material; and an integrated connector operable to
support a second fencing material.
15. A fence post of claim 14 further comprising: an interior bridge
connected to the interior wall of the fence post operable to
provide additional strength to the fence post.
16. A fence post comprising: a fence post operable to support a
first fencing material; a receptacle to accept a spline, and the
spline being operable to support the attachment of a second fencing
material.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a non-provisional application which
claims priority to application 60/440,502, entitled "METHODS AND
SYSTEMS FOR NON-INVASIVE ATTACHMENT OF MESH FENCING TO AN EXISTING
FENCING SYSTEM", filed Jan. 16, 2003, and is hereby incorporated by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Plastic fencing materials, typically poly vinyl chloride
("PVC"), provides property owners with fencing options not
previously available with metal or wood. These near zero
maintenance fencing products provide the functional and aesthetic
properties of wood but without the need for the maintenance
required by wood or metal materials.
[0003] Plastic fencing is commonly 2, 3, 4, and 5-rail, and
segmented solid and semi-solid panels. The rail fencing has grown
in popularity, as it possesses beneficial aesthetic properties as
well as the ability to contain large animals, such as, horses and
livestock.
[0004] Many property owners want the properties of rail fencing but
also want to provide a barrier to small animals and children.
Property owners who install mesh fencing, for example, wire mesh or
chain link, are faced with no real option of incorporating a mesh
into a plastic fencing system. Manufacturers of prior art plastic
fencing emphasize that penetration of the surface of their fencing
products, by drilling, screwing, or nailing, or applying a surface
load, such as by gluing, may cause points of stress which may
result in cracking and ultimately failure of the fencing member.
Manufacturers commonly void their warranty, if the fencing member
is altered in such a manner.
[0005] As a limitation of the prior art of fencing systems,
property owners are left with two options for incorporating a mesh
fence into a plastic fencing system. First, property owners may
build a substantially independent fence. This fence-within-a-fence
provides the benefit of two fencing types, as it is two complete
fences, but there is no ability to leverage the work and expense
incurred with one fence by the second. The property owner must pay
the cost to install two fences, maintain two fences, maintain the
property grounds obstructed by two fences, develop a complex gate
system, and lose usable property to the space between the two
fences.
[0006] Second, property owners may attach mesh fencing directly to
some members of the plastic fence with wire-ties, plastic "zip"
ties, rope or twine. Not only does such a method defeat much of the
aesthetic utility provided by plastic fencing, but such ties may
become slack, discolor, dry-rot, photo-decay, and/or mar the fence.
Additionally, plastic fencing is not designed to accommodate a
lateral load, which is induced with mesh fencing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In one aspect, methods and systems are provided to attach a
mesh (e.g., wire, plastic, or other fabric) to an existing fencing
frame. The mesh is attached to substantially hang on the existing
fence post ("post") members and provide minimal lateral force on
the posts. A mesh is attached between posts to form a section. As a
benefit, a method of mesh attachment is available wherein the
tension of mesh between panels does not substantially accumulate
from one section to another, resulting in a net-zero lateral force
for every post, with the exception of end, corner, and gate posts
where the lateral force is substantially equal to the lateral
tension force of one section of mesh.
[0008] In another aspect, lateral tension on the posts may be
reduced by non-evasive (e.g., without penetrating, fusing with, or
bonding to the surface of the post) cross bracing and connectors to
provide a transfer of lateral force to near the ground of a post
and may accommodate the application of a tensioned mesh. The
brackets to support the cross bracing may frictionally engage the
post in tension or compression. In one preferred embodiment the
cross-brace bracket engages the horizontal fence member (e.g.,
rails) to support the cross-brace in tension or compression. As an
option, evasive attachment of cross bracing is also provided.
[0009] In another aspect, a system of fencing is provided wherein a
connector is integrated into the post to facilitate the attachment
of a mesh. For example, a PVC extrusion may output a substantially
square post, for the acceptance of rails, with an integrated
tensioner to facilitate the application of a mesh. The tensioner
may be round, and, as a matter of design choice, integrate a metal
insert. The tensioner may be held away from the post with one or
more connecting ribs ("braces") to facilitate wrapping a wire
between the post and the tensioner. Optionally, the tensioner may
accommodate punches, screws, nails, clamps, glues, welds, and
drilling to allow the integrity of the post to be preserved.
[0010] In another aspect, the internal structure of the post may be
enhanced with internal spars ("bridging") to increase the strength
and provide support to the braces and/or tensioner without impeding
the placement of horizontal elements (e.g., rails). As an
additional design choice, the bridge geometry may facilitate
strengthening the posts, braces, and/or tensioner when by engaging
concrete poured into the post.
[0011] As those skilled in the art would appreciate, the systems
and methods herein may apply to plastic, metal, wood, stone, or
other type of fencing materials and rail, slat, lattice, or other
type of fencing construction systems and therefore may benefit from
the disclosed mesh attachment systems and methods disclosed herein.
Also apparent to those skilled in the art is application of
subcomponents to facilitate installation of components wherein the
plastic fence has been installed, as well as, the manufacture of
components, disclosed herein, integrated into posts which may
provide additional benefits in new fence installations.
[0012] The invention is next described further in connection with
preferred embodiments, and it will become apparent that various
additions, subtractions, and modifications can be made by those
skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 shows a prior art plastic fencing system;
[0014] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary fence section with attached
mesh;
[0015] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary gate section with attached mesh
and extended connectors;
[0016] FIGS. 4A-B show an exemplary integrated tensioner and
post;
[0017] FIG. 5 shows a top view of an exemplary integrated tensioner
and post with internal bridging;
[0018] FIG. 6 shows a top view of an exemplary corner post with
integrated tensioner and internal bridging;
[0019] FIGS. 7A-C show an exemplary segmented connector useful in
installations in which the rails remain in place;
[0020] FIGS. 8A-B shows an exemplary connector useful to limit
motion by engaging a horizontal fencing member; and
[0021] FIG. 9 shows a cross-section of an exemplary post with two
exemplary internal mesh attachment configurations.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 shows prior art plastic fencing system 10 commonly
utilizing PVC materials. Posts 20 provide support to rails 18 and
are partially embedded into the ground (shown in outline). Gate 12
utilizes latch 14 and hinges 16.
[0023] FIG. 2 shows exemplary fencing system 100 containing mesh
122 forming a fence section. The section contains posts 106A-B and
rails 110A-C (visible through a portion of mesh 122, removed for
clarity). Each post 106A-B contains openings to contain an end of
each of rails 110A-C. Rails 110A-C may be attached to posts 106A-B
by tabs or locking pins, or as otherwise currently known in the
art. Fencing mesh 122, provides additional fencing properties, such
as, confinement of household pets, children, or visual screening
and may be selected from chain link, wire mesh, plastic fabric, or
other material suitable to provide the additional fencing
properties desired.
[0024] Connectors 102, 104, 108, 112, 116, 118 provide a connection
to the posts 106A-B and mesh 122 directly or with the optional
implementation of tensioner 120 (post 106A also contains a
tensioner but it would not be visible from the visual prospective
provided and installation illustrated by FIG. 2). As an option, the
tensioners may be placed on the face of posts 106A-B, in addition
to the rail ("side") installation illustrated by FIG. 2. Connectors
102, 104, 108, 112, 116, 118 may be manufactured from metal,
plastic, and/or other material to narrowly accommodate the post
once installed. Connectors 102, 104, 108, 112, 116, 118 may be
segmented and combined in place to facilitate placement on posts
106A-B without removal of rails 110A-C. Connectors 102, 104, 108,
112, 116, 118 may be fabricated with fewer pieces or as a single
piece, to facilitate rail installation before, during, or after the
installation of connectors 102, 104, 108, 112, 116, 118, as a
matter of design choice.
[0025] Connectors 102, 104, 108, 112, 116, 118 provide an
attachment point for mesh 122 or, optionally, a second connector to
accommodate fence tensioner 120. For example, a second connector
may be a "C" shaped open tube for insertion over tensioner 120 and
attachment of fence mesh 122. Other means to attach mesh 122 to
tensioner 120 include mechanical fasteners, such as ties and/or
clips. Tensioner 120 may then provide a connection point for mesh
122 as a continuous fencing member, when face mounted, or in
segments, when side mounted, as a matter of design choice. For
example, tensioner 120 may provide greater installation flexibility
as one continuous piece, however, tensioner 120 may be attachment
hardware, such as eye-hooks, tabs, t-hooks, brackets, or other
attachment points to facilitate attachment of mesh 122 in addition
to the continuous rod illustrated by FIG. 2.
[0026] Upper connectors 108, 112 are attached to post 106A and
106B, respectively, to resist downward motion by engaging top rail
110C. Lower connectors 104, 116 are attached on posts 106A and
106B, respectively, to resist upward motion by engaging lower rail
120A. Ground level connectors 102, 118 are optionally provided and
provide additional mounting points for tensioner 120. The geometry
of the connectors, such as connector 104, 108, 112, 116 may allow
the face portion of connectors 104, 108, 112, 116 to be
substantially in alignment with the rails and, as a benefit,
provide a visual alignment with and/or illusion of continuation of
the rails. One example of such a connector is provided by FIG. 8.
Optionally, connectors 102, 104, 108, 112, 118 may resist upward
and downward force by engaging the upper and/or lower surfaces of
one or more of rails 110A-C and/or frictionally engaging posts
106A-B. As a matter of design choice, connectors 102, 104, 108,
112, 116, 118 may be engage posts 106A-B with glue or mechanical
fasteners.
[0027] As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the selection
of a highly rigid mesh, such as mesh 122, requires less tension to
prevent deforming and fewer connections, such as connectors, 102,
104, 108, 112, 116, 118 to maintain tension. The material and size
selected, as a matter of design choice, of tensioner 120 may also
reduce or increase the quantity and strength of connectors 102,
104, 108, 112, 116, 118.
[0028] As those skilled in the art will appreciate, connectors 102,
104, 108, 112, 116, 118 may be modified as a matter of design
choice, to accommodate a cross brace and/or lateral brace to
support a high-tension mesh in addition to, or as a complement to,
a mesh attachment points, such as provided by tensioner 120.
[0029] FIG. 3 shows exemplary gate section 200 with mesh 21f8
attached. Gate 200 comprises vertical members 206A-B and horizontal
members 210A-C (visible through a region of mesh 218 removed for
clarity). Connectors 204, 208, 212, 214 provide a connection to
vertical members 206A-B and mesh 218 directly or with optional
tensioners 202, 216. Vertical members 206A-B may provide ground
clearance as needed to provide free motion of the gate over uneven
ground, vegetation, or other obstacles. Tensioners 202, 216 may
optionally be extended close to the ground to provide mesh 218 with
tension close to the ground. As a benefit, mesh 218 resists
deformation when opening and closing the gate where the mesh may
drag on the ground or be deformed by, for example, household
pets.
[0030] Connectors 208, 212 may engage top horizontal member 210C to
resist downward motion and similarly connectors 204, 214 may engage
bottom horizontal member 201A to resist upward motion. As a matter
of design choice connectors 204, 208, 212, 214 may engage vertical
members 206A-B and/or horizontal member 210A-C by friction, glue,
or mechanical fasteners.
[0031] As those skilled in the art will appreciate, such methods of
non-invasive attachment of connectors to a plastic fence can
accommodate invasive connection methods and/or joint fabrication of
components, as a matter of design and implementation choice.
[0032] FIGS. 4A-B show exemplary integrated tensioner 302 and post
300. Integrated tensioner 302 illustrates one integrated connector.
Connectors, integrated into a post or installed onto a post,
provide attachment points for the mesh fabric, or additional
hardware to attach the mesh fabric, and may have other geometries
as a matter of design choice. FIG. 4A primarily shows a face
prospective of post 300 and FIG. 4B shows a side, or "rail,"
prospective of post 300. Post 300 has a plurality of openings 308
to accommodate horizontal members, such as rails. Post 300 has a
plurality of braces 304A-F to attach tensioner 302. Tensioner 302
provides a support for attachment of a mesh fencing material by
providing a connection point. Braces 304A-F may be combined into
one brace, which in turn attaches to tensioner 302. Tensioner 302
may accommodate secondary connectors, for example, tensioner 302
may be a round rod and accommodate one or more "C" connectors for
attachment of a mesh to the "C" connector. Additionally a clamp or
other attachment device may be provided to further support the
mechanical link between tensioner 302 and the mesh. For example,
the gap defined by post 300, tensioner 302, and each of the
plurality of braces 304 could accommodate wire ties attaching a
mesh. As an implementation option post 300, tensioner 302, and
braces 304 may be formed by extrusion or other fabrication process
and, optionally, holds drilled, punched, or otherwise created to
form voids to accommodate the attachment of a mesh.
[0033] As a matter of design choice, tensioner 302 may be attached
to the face of post 300, as shown in FIGS. 4A-B. As a benefit of
such an orientation, the attachment of a mesh may be performed
faster as a mesh would not be required to terminate at each
tensioner 302 and therefore not have to be cut at each tensioner
302. As another design choice, tensioner 302 may be placed on the
"rail" side of post 300. As a benefit of such an orientation, the
attachment of a mesh is placed close to the rails and may produce a
more desirable appearance.
[0034] As another benefit, tensioner 302 may provide a surface
suitable for drilling, gluing, welding, nailing, or otherwise
penetrating the surface of tensioner 302 without unduly stressing
post 300.
[0035] In another aspect, tensioner 302 may extend from
substantially near the top of post 300 to close to the ground after
installation. As a matter of design choice, tensioner 302 may
extend below the ground level, when installed, and may provide
additional stability. As a further option, tensioner 302 may
incorporate additional materials, such as a wire rod, to provide
additional strength and/or stiffness.
[0036] FIG. 5 shows a top view of a "run" post system 500 with post
502 to accommodate horizontal members, such as rails 504A-B in a
substantially linear installation. Post 502 has braces 508A-B
attached to tensioners 506A-B, respectively. Tensioner 506A-B may
then accommodate the attachment of a mesh or other mesh-attachment
hardware. Internal bridging 510 provides additional strength.
Bridging 510 may be solid, uniform, segmented, and/or perforated,
as a matter of design choice, manufacturing limitations, weight,
strength, and/or other attribute. As a further design choice,
bridge 510 may be designed to engage concrete, aggregate, or other
post filler material placed inside of post 502.
[0037] As those skilled in the art will appreciate, FIG. 5 may omit
one brace-connector pair, for example, brace 508B and connector
506B, for application in an end post or vertical gate member.
[0038] FIG. 6 shows a top view of corner post system 600 with post
602 operable to accommodate horizontal members, such as rails
602A-B in a substantially right-angle installation. Post 602 has
(visible) braces 608A-B attached to tensioner 606A-B, respectively.
Tensioner 606A-B may accommodate the attachment of a mesh or other
mesh attaching hardware. Internal bridging 610 provides additional
strength. Bridging 610 may be solid, uniform, segmented, and/or
perforated as a matter of design choice. As an additional design
choice, bridge 610 may have openings to accommodate rails 604A-B.
As an additional design choice, bridge 610 may be designed to
engage concrete, aggregate, or other post filler material placed
inside of post 602. As a further design option, a filling material,
such as concrete, may sufficiently bond to the interior surface of
post 602 to provide a partial or total replacement of bridge 610.
Bridging 510 may, therefore, be solid, uniform, segmented, and/or
perforated, or omitted, as a matter of design choice.
[0039] FIGS. 7A-C show exemplary connector 704 segmented to
facilitate installation onto post 700 without requiring the removal
of installed rails (not shown for clarity). Connectors 704A-B are
shown in FIG. 7A installed with tensioner 706 to accommodate the
installation of a mesh. FIG. 7B shows connector 704 with hinge 710
to accommodate opening of connector 710. Here the connector
contains a plurality of rings 708 to narrowly accommodate tensioner
706 when installed through the path 711 (shown as a broken line).
FIG. 7C shows connector 704 in a closed position with tensions 706
passing through each of the plurality of rings 708. Hinge 710 is
substantially flat. As a design option, two or more joinable
subcomponents connected by a tab, pin, latch, glue, weld, or other
joining means may form connector 704.
[0040] Tensioner 706 may further resist motion inside the plurality
of rings 708 by texturing the surface of the inside of at least one
of the plurality of rings 708 or tensioner 706, or by the
application of friction inducing material, adhesive, or mechanical
fastener.
[0041] As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the plurality
of rings 708 may be attached directly to post 700, for example,
during manufacture of a post containing an integrated combination
of post 700 and mesh attachment hardware, such as, a hook,
plurality of rings 708, or a single ring. As a further design
option, connector 704 can be a solid piece as a benefit to those
installing a fencing system where the rails are not yet in place or
are removed. Furthermore, connector 704 may accommodate the
attachment of a tensioner, such as tensioner 706 shown and/or a
cross-brace.
[0042] FIGS. 8A-B shows exemplary connector 800. Connector 800
contains notch 804 to engage a horizontal member to resist downward
motion, when installed in the orientation shown by FIGS. 8A-B, or
to resist upward motion when installed in the orientation in which
notch 804 faces upwards. Ring 802 is operable to narrowly
accommodates a tensioner and is attached to connector 800 by brace
806.
[0043] As a matter of design choice, joinable connector 808 may
optionally be connected to connector 800. As a benefit of
implementation of locking connector 808, one connector may resist
motion both upwards and downwards. Optionally, locking connector
808 may contain notch 810 to accommodate a horizontal member. As a
further option, locking member 808 may contain a second ring to
accommodate the tensioner.
[0044] As a benefit to the geometry provided by connector 800, the
most visible (face) side of connector 800 appears in alignment with
an installed rail after assembly of a post-connector-rail segment
of a fence. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, connector
800 may be made in segments to accommodate installation with
existing rails and connector 800 may accommodate a cross-brace.
[0045] FIG. 9 shows a top view of exemplary post 900 with slots to
accept spline inserts 903 and 912. The combination of both spline
inserts 903, 912 on one post is a design option, however, it is
illustrative of two positioning options, namely face, as
illustrated by spline insert 903, and side, as illustrated by
spline insert 912. As a matter of design choice, spline insert 903,
912 may be positioned at the corner of post 900. Spline insert 912
is operable to accommodate the installation of a mesh close to the
rails and spline insert 903 is operable to accommodate the
installation of the mesh further away from the rails. FIG. 9
illustrates post 900 as a "run" post (e.g., the fence installation
is substantially linear when viewed from above) with rails 902A-B,
as those skilled in the art will appreciate, post 900 may be an end
post, gate post, corner post, or other configuration. Spline insert
903 shows optional anchor 904 attached to exposed ring 906. Ring
906 is attached to wire 910 with tie 908. Similarly, spline insert
912 utilizes optional anchor 914 to hold wire 916.
[0046] As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the geometry of
spline inserts 903, 912 is designed to resist the motion of the
attached mesh, here shown as a wire, and maintain the strength of
post 900. Other geometries and configurations may be utilized for
the spline inserts as a matter of design choice, for example; 1)
the irregular geometry shown by spline inserts 903 and 912 may
accept another insert such as a rod--similar to anchor 914--in
which the mesh material is attached; 2) a regular geometry to
accept, for example, a mesh rapped around a rod; 3) the spline
inserts may additionally provide a spring to tension the mesh
material; or 4) the spline inserts may be fabricated as a
continuous member of post 900 with wire 916, 910 embedded within.
In addition to the spline inserts having the mesh material embedded
directly into the spline, the splines may attach, or embed, other
connection hardware, which in turn attaches to the mesh material.
Internal bridging, as described in FIGS. 5, 6 may also be
implemented, as a matter of design choice, to provide additional
strength.
[0047] Furthermore, the examples provided herein illustrate
preferred methods and systems. Other options such as; 1) connectors
engaging a post without a tensioner, in which a mesh is attached
directly to the connector (e.g., a connector with an eye-hook or
"T" tab), 2) connectors modified with rings, pins, sockets, and/or
other hardware to support a cross-brace as a complement to, or in
stead of, hardware supporting mesh attachment, 3) other equivalents
to those herein, may also be implemented without departing from the
disclosures provided herein.
[0048] The invention thus attains the object set forth above, among
those apparent form preceding description. Since certain changes
may be made in the above systems and methods without departing from
the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter
contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying
drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting
sense.
* * * * *