U.S. patent application number 11/003754 was filed with the patent office on 2006-06-08 for interlocking privacy fence.
Invention is credited to Torrence Anderson, Robert Kopp, Robert Stein.
Application Number | 20060118771 11/003754 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36565928 |
Filed Date | 2006-06-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060118771 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stein; Robert ; et
al. |
June 8, 2006 |
Interlocking privacy fence
Abstract
An interlocking privacy fence is made up of a series of molded
panels with simulated paneling and lattice in relief bounded on
each lateral side by a leg. One leg has a plurality of brackets
along the length thereof. The other leg has a plurality of pintles
along the length thereof. Each of the brackets has an aperture
therethrough for receiving a prong of a pintle. In assembly, the
brackets of different panels are aligned with the pintles of other
panels and the pintles are inserted through the apertures such that
each leg is interlocked. The bottom of the legs are formed as a
sharpened spade for insertion into the ground to fix the fence in
place.
Inventors: |
Stein; Robert; (Aurora,
IL) ; Anderson; Torrence; (Overland Park, KS)
; Kopp; Robert; (Wheaton, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCHALE & SLAVIN, P.A.
2855 PGA BLVD
PALM BEACH GARDENS
FL
33410
US
|
Family ID: |
36565928 |
Appl. No.: |
11/003754 |
Filed: |
December 2, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
256/24 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01F 13/02 20130101;
E04H 17/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
256/024 |
International
Class: |
E04H 17/16 20060101
E04H017/16 |
Claims
1. An interlocking privacy fence for providing an enclosure and
visual barrier comprising an integral panel having a plate with a
width from one side to a second side, a leg formed at one side, a
second leg formed at said second side, said leg including a first
bracket extending outwardly therefrom, said first bracket having a
first aperture therethrough perpendicular to said width, a pintle
on said second leg extending outwardly therefrom, said pintle
having a prong extending parallel to said first aperture.
2. An interlocking privacy fence of claim 1 further comprising said
leg and said second leg extending below said plate and each
terminating in a spade, each said spade adapted to anchor said
panel.
3. An interlocking privacy fence of claim 1 further comprising said
plate having vertical siding in a lower portion and a lattice in an
upper portion.
4. An interlocking privacy fence of claim 1 further comprising a
cap on said leg and said second leg, said cap closing the top of
said leg and said second leg.
5. An interlocking privacy fence of claim 1 further comprising said
integral panel molded from a polymer.
6. An interlocking privacy fence of claim 5 further comprising said
siding and said lattice formed in relief on said plate.
7. An interlocking privacy fence of claim 6 further comprising said
lattice formed with vertical pieces and horizontal pieces, said
vertical pieces and said horizontal pieces forming boundaries about
openings through said plate.
8. An interlocking privacy fence of claim 7 further comprising said
vertical siding having vertical spaces adapted for air
circulation.
9. An interlocking privacy fence providing an enclosure and visual
barrier comprising at least a first and a second like molded
panels, said panels including a plate having an upper portion and a
lower portion, a first leg extending along one side of said plate,
a second leg extending along a second side of said plate, said
first leg and said second leg adapted to anchor said panels, said
first leg having a plurality of brackets opposite said plate, said
second leg having a plurality of pintles opposite said plate, said
panels juxtaposed with said brackets on said first leg of said
first panel registered with said pintles on said second leg of said
second panel, said pintles and said brackets interlocking said
first and said second panels.
10. An interlocking privacy fence of claim 9 further comprising an
aperture through each of said brackets, said pintles having an
upper prong and a lower prong of lesser diameter than said
aperture, said prongs disposed in said apertures, said first and
said second panels adapted to pivot independently.
11. An interlocking privacy fence of claim 9 further comprising
said lower portion of said plate including vertical siding forming
a visual barrier, said upper portion of said plate formed as a
lattice.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to prefabricated panels that are
assembled to form a decorative privacy fence.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] There are numerous examples of prefabricated fence sections
that can be assembled to form a continuous structure. Earlier
prefabricated fences were assembled from individual sections made
of wood. Usually, each section had a separate fence post at each
end for anchoring in the ground. Other fence sections were made
with pilings or panels attached to supporting frame members and the
frame members were assembled to pre-set fence posts
[0003] More recently, wood has been replaced with man-made
materials such as aluminum, steel, polymers, pressed board,
fiberglass, etc. These materials offer advantages in uniformity of
shape, ease of assembly, upkeep, and longevity. One such
prefabricated fence is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,772,998.
[0004] Included in the broad field of prefabricated fencing,
lattice screens are well known for decorative use, as well as, for
providing a barrier. One advantage of this structure is the
lessened wind resistance. The lattice is usually mass produced of a
series of small thin longitudinal pieces laid over a series of
small thin lateral pieces at a ninety degree angle and fastened
together leaving interstices of varying sizes. Again, the
traditional wooden construction has given way to plastics and other
synthetic materials. Examples of such structure is found in U.S.
Pat. No. 6,398,193, U.S. Pat. No. 6,308,487 and U.S. Pat. No.
6,286,284.
[0005] Usually, the prior art fence sections are anchored to each
other and in the ground by fence posts that are designed for
joining in straight lines or right angles. For example, some posts
have bores extending through the posts at right angles to each
other allowing the panel supports to be aligned or oriented normal
to each other. Any other angular relationship may require some
modification of the posts or the panel sections or both.
[0006] Prior art fences are semi-permanent in that placement of the
fence posts usually results in a post fixed in a filled hole in the
ground. Adjustment of the fence line then requires substantial
labor of digging new fence post holes and filling the old ones.
[0007] Tisbo et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,357,000 discloses an improved
ornamental integrally molded plastic fence section. The fence
section generally includes a pair of substantially parallel
stringers with a plurality of pickets formed integral with the
stringers. Each stringer has a plurality of identical spaced ears
formed integral with one end. Each of the ears has a rod aperture
extending therethrough. The rod apertures in the ears on one end of
a stringer are aligned with rod apertures in ears on the other
stringer. A slot is formed in each ear extending from the exterior
of the respective ear to the respective aperture. Each slot in each
ear on one end of the section is aligned with the other slots in
the other ears on that end of the section. A second plurality of
supports is formed integral with the other end of each of the
stringers. A cylindrical rod is formed integral with the supports
on the end of the stringer. Each rod has a diameter slightly less
than the diameter of the rod aperture to fit snugly into the
respective aligned rod apertures in the ears. The cylindrical rods
fit into the ears and the supports pass through the slots to lock
adjacent sections to each other by rotating the section relative to
each other after each rod has been positioned in its respective rod
apertures.
[0008] Emmie, U.S. Pat. No. 4,130,272 discloses a picket fence
comprising a plurality of parallel and laterally spaced metal
pickets which are interconnected by a plurality of parallel pairs
of stringers. The stringers are made from a metal material and have
opposite ends shaped in a tubular configuration which are received
in mating recesses on adjacent, parallel pickets such that the
pickets are rotatable about the tubular configurations of the
stringers whereby the pickets and their associated stringers are
movable with respect to each other in such a manner that the
pickets may be disposed along a curved path.
[0009] Harden, U.S. Pat. No. 4,911,339 discloses a hay enclosure
including two end sections and two sections along each side.
Diagonally opposite side sections are equal in length, although the
two sections on each side have different lengths. The enclosure is
pivotally movable to a second position wherein two
triangular-in-shape enclosures are formed having an area smaller
than the rectangular enclosure area. Adjacent sections are
pivotally interconnected by vertically spaced apart hinges, with
the upper hinge including a downwardly extending pin received in a
sleeve, and the lower hinge including a pair of abutting vertically
aligned sleeves in which a movable pin is received.
[0010] Reppert, U.S. Pat. No. 5,445,362 discloses a fence assembly
including modules of two-foot width. The modules are easily
assembled in four-module sections to achieve whatever cumulative
length of fencing is desired. A module is joined to an adjacent
module by insertion of a clip into vertical, T-shaped slots formed
in an adjacent module. Sections are anchored in the ground by pipes
having downwardly projecting stakes. These pipe and stake
assemblies are located concealed within the first and fourth module
of each section. Upper and lower horizontal reinforcing members are
attached along the sections. Resilient expanding anchors are used
to connect the pipes, extensions, and horizontal members, there
being alignable bores formed therein which receive these anchors.
In one embodiment, intended for use on flat terrain, the lower
reinforcing member is extended through and concealed in
longitudinal bores extending through each module. Only one
horizontal member is external to and visible from the finished
fence of the first embodiment, which has as an important object to
present an attractive, uncluttered appearance.
[0011] Niemiec, U.S. Pat. No. 3,711,066 discloses an integral
plastic fence section having an expansive main body with a
plurality of stake members projecting downwardly from a lower edge
and adapted to be driven into the ground. The opposite side edges
of the section have hinge members that releasably snap together and
that cooperate with each other to provide for rotational movement
of adjacent interconnected fence sections about the hinge axis to
provide for a variety of alignments.
[0012] Bermudez, U.S. Pat. No. 4,073,478 discloses an improved
fence structure composed of aligned and interconnected fence
sections, which are of two types, and which are arranged in
staggered relation. In assembly, the fence sections of the first
type, which have downwardly extending end posts, are received in
male/female relation in recesses provided in a support surface
along a fence line and, thereafter, the fence sections of the
second type are connected to the installed fence sections of the
first type.
[0013] Pettit et al, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,637,728 and D463,036
discloses a plastic fence section including a series of connected
hollow chambers with at least upper and lower horizontal chambers
extending the length of the fence section for receiving reinforcing
members. The fence section is made of plastic material. The hollow
chambers are separated by pinch off regions. The fence section
provides a visual block and has a similar appearance on either side
of the fence section. The fence section has a post edge and a panel
joining edge. The panel joining edge is adapted to engage and
overlap with a second fence panel section.
[0014] Simpson et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,078,367 discloses a panel
system comprising a plurality of posts and at least one panel for
securing between a pair of adjacent posts, in which each post is
formed from plastic material and has a channel in at least one edge
to receive an edge portion of a panel, and each panel is formed
from plastics material and comprises a plurality of sub-panels and
a frame formed from a plurality of side members having similar
cross-section secured together at corners of the frame. The
plurality of sub-panels secured within the frame wherein each panel
frame side member is formed with a channel open to one edge of the
side member to receive edge portions of the sub-panels making up
the panel.
[0015] Lappen, U.S. Publication No. 2004/0140461 discloses flexible
fence and gate systems, which are flexible to alterations, have
common parts, are easy to assembly, durable, and have long service
life. The frame can be made of pre-coated galvanized steel parts.
The panel is held in a U-shaped slotted rectangular fence frame
formed by a parallel pair of L-shaped retainer angles mounted
back-to-back or face-to-face on the stringers to accommodate a wide
choice of panel styles, materials and thicknesses without adding
any new components. Another feature provides a panel insert which
can be sandwiched between two panels to further suppress noise.
Another feature relates to adjustable post angle adapters. Another
feature relates to a gate width opening adjustment member using a
sliding rail at the far end.
[0016] Stusser, U.S. Publication No. 2002/0020834 discloses a
durable, low-maintenance and easy to install fence incorporating a
combination of materials that includes at least two posts, a
casement structure maintained between the two posts, a lattice
structure supported within the casement structure, and a shield
structure supported within the casement structure. The posts and
casement structure are made of weather treated wood and the lattice
and shield structures are made of a synthetic material such as
vinyl. Both the lattice and shield structures are supported within
the casement structure by a plurality of wood supports.
[0017] Cuzzocrea, U.S. Publication No. 2003/0107031 discloses a
modular-grid fence system that comprises integral connectors on
each end that allows each respective grid to be connected to each
other grid and form a fence. The connectors also provide that the
modular-grid fence system may be utilized in angles from near zero
degrees, to an in-line angle of 180 degrees. This connecting
feature provides that the modular-grid fence system may be used to
augment and provide additional restriction to an existing fence, or
be used as a freestanding fence.
[0018] What is needed in the art is a fencing system that provides
secure privacy, adaptability in layout, and ease of changing the
fence line.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0019] Disclosed is an interlocking privacy fence formed from a
series of molded panels with simulated paneling and lattice in
relief bounded on each lateral side by a leg. The bottom of the
legs are formed as a sharpened spade for insertion into the ground
to fix the fence in place. The bottom of the legs are formed as a
sharpened spade for insertion into the ground to fix the fence in
place.
[0020] Each of the legs have brackets for coupled to pintles placed
on a leg to be adjoined. Each bracket includes an aperture
therethrough for receiving a prong of a pintle. In assembly, the
brackets of different panels are aligned with the pintles of other
panels, and the pintles are inserted through the apertures such
that each leg is interlocked. Therefore, an object of this
invention is to provide a fence that provides a visual barrier to
screen the interior from view.
[0021] Another object of this invention is to provide identical
panels with integral brackets on each end disposed to interlock
with each other such that a series of panels can be engaged by the
brackets.
[0022] A further object of this invention is to provide fence posts
cooperating with the interlocking brackets to link the panels
together.
[0023] Yet another object of this invention is to provide the
brackets with complementary shape permitting the panels to be
assembled in an infinite angular array.
[0024] A still further object of this invention is to provide legs
at each end of each panel extending below the lower margin for
ground clearance and shaped to easily penetrate the supporting
surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective of the interlocking privacy fence of
this invention showing an enclosure;
[0026] FIG. 2 is a front perspective in positive relief of a panel
of the interlocking privacy fence of this invention;
[0027] FIG. 3 is a back perspective in negative relief of a panel
of the interlocking privacy fence of this invention;
[0028] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a pintle;
[0029] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a bracket used to receive a
pintle; and
[0030] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the pintle of FIG. 4
interlocked with the bracket of FIG. 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0031] The interlocking privacy fence 10, shown in FIG. 1, is
composed of four panels 11, 12, 13 and 14, though the number of
panels is a matter of choice. As shown, each panel is oriented at a
perpendicular angle to the other two panels at each end. Each of
the panels has the same components which are given the same
reference numbers for simplicity.
[0032] Panel 11 has a plate 15 formed synthetic materials in any
conventional method including molding, casting, fabricating and
assembly, etc. The plate 15 is formed with a leg 16 at one end and
a leg 17 at the other end. The plate 15, as shown, has a simulated
vertical siding 20 with vertical siding in the bottom portion and a
simulated lattice 21 with longitudinal pieces 22 and vertical
pieces 23 forming openings 24 in the top portion. The vertical
siding is spaced apart providing an open slot for air circulation.
The siding is oriented at an angle to prevent a direct view of the
interior of the enclosed area. A frame rail 25 extends between the
leg 16 and the leg 17 at the top of the panel. An intermediate
frame 26 rail extends between the posts at the boundary between the
vertical siding and the lattice. Another frame rail 27 extends
between the legs at the bottom of the panel. This design may be
reversed or other designs may be substituted therefore. The siding
20 and the lattice 21 may be imperforate, if desired.
[0033] The legs 16, 17 extend above and below the plate 15. The
spade 28 of the leg 16 penetrates the ground or other surface and
supports the weight of the panel 11 along with the spade 29 of leg
17. The space 30 between the ground and the bottom frame rail 27,
along with the openings in the vertical siding and lattice, allow
air to circulate through the interlocking privacy fence 10.
[0034] The panels 11, 12, 13 and 14 are molded as a sheet with a
three dimensional form presenting the front, positive, side of the
vertical paneling lattice and legs in relief, in FIG. 2, with a
back, negative, side shown in FIG. 3. The top end of leg 16 and leg
17 each with an end cap 18 and 19. The end caps 18, 19 close the
interior of the legs and add rigidity to the panel.
[0035] The outer surface of leg 16 is formed with three brackets 31
projecting outwardly, as shown in FIG. 3. The brackets 31 each have
a top wall 32, a bottom wall 33 and a sidewall 34 connecting the
top and bottom walls. The top wall has an aperture 35 and the
bottom wall has an aperture 36 aligned therewith. The sidewalls 34
have a groove 37 extending from the edge of the bracket partially
around the sidewall.
[0036] The leg 17 has three pintles 38 spaced vertically apart
along the leg, as shown in FIG. 2. Each pintle has a top prong 39,
and a bottom prong 40 extending in opposite directions from a shaft
41 attached to the leg.
[0037] The brackets 31 and pintles 37 are evenly spaced along the
length of each leg in a manner that each bracket 31 is positioned
opposite a pintle 37. This results in alignment of the brackets and
pintles when separate panels are joined, as shown in FIG. 1. The
prongs 39 and 40 are longer than the distance between the top wall
and bottom wall of the brackets permitting the angular insertion of
the prongs into the apertures.
[0038] To assemble the interlocking privacy fence 10, a leg 16 of
one panel 11 is juxtaposed with a leg 17 of another panel 12. The
shaft 41 of the pintles 38 are inserted in the grooves 37 of the
brackets 31 and the prongs 39 and 40 are passed through the
apertures of the brackets 31 interlocking the separate panels 11,
12, 13 and 14 together.
[0039] The legs 16 and 17 extend below the bottom rail 27 and are
sharpened into a blade 42. Because of the three dimensional relief
of the panels, the spades 28 have sidewalls 43, 44 connected by a
front wall 45. The three sided spade 28 is driven into the ground
or other surface and anchors the fence to the ground. In this
manner the fence may be erected with the panels at any angle from
each other for aesthetics, as well as stability, and to form
various shaped enclosures.
[0040] FIG. 4 illustrates pintle 38 having a top prong 39, bottom
prong 40 extending in opposite directions from a shaft 41 extending
from the leg 17. In the preferred embodiment, each prong is
cylindrical providing for ease positioning exceeding 180 degrees of
position rotation. FIG. 5 illustrates bracket 31 having a top wall
32, a bottom wall 33 and a sidewall 34 connecting the top and
bottom walls. The top wall has an aperture 35 and the bottom wall
has an aperture 36 aligned therewith. The sidewalls 34 have a
groove 37 extending from the edge of the bracket partially around
the sidewall. As shown in FIGS. 4-6, the shaft 41 of the pintles 38
is available for insertion along groove 37 of bracket 31 wherein
prongs 39 and 40 are passed inside of sidewalls 32 and 33 and into
the apertures 35 and 36. The brackets 31 interlocking the pintles
41 and thus the separate panels together. Groove 37 allows for
positional rotation of the pintle permitting the panels to be
located at any position necessary to accomplish the privacy needs
of the consumer.
[0041] While a number of embodiments of the present invention are
described, it is understood that various modifications may be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Accordingly, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be
limited by the specific illustrated embodiment but only by the
scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *