U.S. patent application number 14/699453 was filed with the patent office on 2015-10-29 for portable fence device.
The applicant listed for this patent is Sherwin Boyce. Invention is credited to Sherwin Boyce.
Application Number | 20150308058 14/699453 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54334214 |
Filed Date | 2015-10-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150308058 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Boyce; Sherwin |
October 29, 2015 |
Portable Fence Device
Abstract
A portable fence device for blocking projectiles, such as stones
and other debris. The portable fence device includes a pair of end
poles and one or more support poles, wherein the lower end of each
pole includes a tripod base so as to support each pole in a
vertical position. The legs of the tripod base are pointed so as to
allow the tripod base to penetrate the ground. The device further
includes a net having a first side and a second side, wherein the
first side is retractably secured to the first end pole and the
second side is secured to the second end pole. The net is extended
by separating the end poles. The net further includes one or more
channels in which a support pole is inserted so as to provide
support to the length of the net.
Inventors: |
Boyce; Sherwin;
(Scarborough, TT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Boyce; Sherwin |
Scarborough |
|
TT |
|
|
Family ID: |
54334214 |
Appl. No.: |
14/699453 |
Filed: |
April 29, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61985570 |
Apr 29, 2014 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
256/32 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 12/2253 20130101;
E04H 12/2276 20130101; E04H 17/04 20130101; E04H 17/18
20130101 |
International
Class: |
E01F 13/02 20060101
E01F013/02; E04H 12/22 20060101 E04H012/22; E04H 17/04 20060101
E04H017/04 |
Claims
1) A portable fence device, comprising: a first end pole and a
second end pole, wherein said first end pole and said second end
pole are vertically oriented; one or more support poles, wherein
said one or more support poles are vertically oriented and disposed
between said first end pole and said second end pole; wherein each
of said first end pole, said second end pole, and said one or more
support poles are removably secured to a tripod base adapted to
rest on a horizontal surface; a net retractably secured to said
first end pole and secured to said second end pole; wherein said
net comprises one or more elongated channels, wherein said one or
more elongated channels comprise an open lower end and a closed
upper end adapted to receive one of said one or more support poles
therein; a retracting mechanism disposed in said first end pole,
such that a first side of said net is retractably secured to said
first end pole and a second side of said net is secured to said
second end pole.
2) The portable fence device of claim 1, wherein said tripod base
comprises a ledge on which pressure can be applied so as to drive
said tripod base into said horizontal surface.
3) The portable fence device of claim 1, wherein said tripod base
comprises a plurality of pointed legs adapted to penetrate said
horizontal surface.
4) The portable fence device of claim 1, wherein said tripod base
comprises a plurality of legs and a knob disposed on an exterior of
said tripod base, wherein said knob is adapted to adjust the
position of said plurality of legs.
5) The portable fence device of claim 1, wherein a lower end of
each of said first end pole, said second end pole, and said one or
more support poles comprise a threaded channel removably secured to
a screw vertically extended from an upper surface of said tripod
base.
6) The portable fence device of claim 1, further comprising a
curved section comprising a first curved member, a second curved
member, and a top net disposed between said first curved member and
said second curved member, wherein said first curved member is
removably secured to an upper end of said first end pole and said
second curved member is removably secured to said second end pole
adapted to create an overhang.
7) The portable fence device of claim 1, wherein said one or more
elongated channels are spaced at fixed intervals.
8) The portable fence device of claim 1, wherein said retracting
mechanism comprises a vertical rod, wherein said vertical rod is
anchored between an upper end of said first end pole and a lower
end of said first end pole, such that said vertical rod is
stationary; a spool, wherein an end of said net is secured to said
spool, such that said net can be wrapped around said spool in a
stored configuration; a spring comprising a first end and a second
end, wherein said first end is operably connected to said spool and
said second end is operably connected to said vertical rod so as to
provide tension on said spool such that said net is biased in said
stored configuration.
9) The portable fence device of claim 8, wherein said spool further
comprises a first bushing and a second bushing, wherein said first
bushing is secured to an upper end of said spool and a second
bushing is secured to a lower end of said spool, wherein said
vertical rod extends through an inner diameter of said first
bushing and said second bushing, such that said spool can rotate
around said vertical rod.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/985,570 filed on Apr. 29, 2014. The above
identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference
in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to portable fence devices.
More specifically, the present invention provides a portable fence
comprising a pair of end poles having a net extended therebetween.
The net comprises one or more channels in which one or more support
poles are inserted. The first side of the net is retractably
secured to the first end pole and the second side of the net is
secured to second end pole. The net is adapted to be extended by
separating the first end pole from the second end pole. The lower
end of the pair of end poles and the support poles each comprise a
tripod base adapted to support each pole in a vertical position.
The legs of the tripod base are pointed so as to allow the tripod
base to penetrate the ground. The tripod base further includes a
ledge that extends therefrom and is adapted to allow a user to
apply his or her body weight when pushing the pole into the
ground.
[0003] Many people that care for lawns use various bladed
equipment, such as lawnmowers and trimmers. The blades on such
equipment will often hit a stone or other debris located on the
lawn, causing the stone or debris to launch into the air at a high
velocity. Therefore, individuals in the vicinity of the lawn care
equipment in use are at risk of being struck and injured. This risk
is difficult for a person caring for a lawn to address because it
is not always possible to see a stone or a stick that is deeply
embedded within a patch of grass. These projectiles can also cause
damage to buildings or cars, as well as injure an individual.
Repairing or providing compensation for damaging an object or
injuring an individual is a financial burden. Therefore, there is a
need in the prior art for a device that is adapted to protect
surrounding objects and individuals from projectiles launched from
bladed lawn care equipment, in addition to operating as a portable
fence.
[0004] It is submitted that the present invention substantially
diverges in design elements from the prior art and consequently it
is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to
existing portable fence devices. In this regard the instant
invention substantially fulfills these needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known
types of portable fence devices now present in the prior art, the
present invention provides a new portable fence device wherein the
same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when
blocking projectiles, such as stones and other debris.
[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a new and improved portable fence device that has all of
the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.
[0007] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
portable fence device comprising a net, a first end pole, and a
second end pole, wherein the first side of the net is retractably
secured to the first end pole and a second side of the net is
secured to the second end pole.
[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
portable fence device wherein a curved section is removably secured
to the upper end of the first end pole and the second end pole so
as to create an overhang that assists in preventing projectiles
from bypassing the device.
[0009] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
portable fence device having a net with one or more channels
adapted to receive one or more support poles therein in order to
provide support to the length of the net.
[0010] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
portable fence device wherein the lower end of each pole includes a
tripod base, wherein the legs of the tripod base are pointed so as
to allow the tripod base to penetrate the ground.
[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
portable fence device that may be readily fabricated from materials
that permit relative economy and are commensurate with
durability.
[0012] Other objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] Although the characteristic features of this invention will
be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and
manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood
after a review of the following description, taken in connection
with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are
provided throughout.
[0014] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the
portable fence device.
[0015] FIG. 2 shows a cross sectional view of the first end pole
and a perspective view of the second end pole of the portable fence
device.
[0016] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the tripod base and the
lower end of a pole of the portable fence device.
[0017] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the curved section of the
portable fence device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like
reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like
or similar elements of the portable fence device. For the purposes
of presenting a brief and clear description of the present
invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for
blocking projectiles, such as stones and other debris. The figures
are intended for representative purposes only and should not be
considered to be limiting in any respect.
[0019] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view
of an embodiment of the portable fence device. The portable fence
device 11 comprises a pair of end pole 13, 14 and one or more
support poles 12 positioned therebetween, wherein the lower end of
each pole 12 includes a tripod base 16. The tripod bases 16 support
the first end pole 13, the second end pole 14, and the support
poles 12 in a vertical orientation. The portable fence device 11
further includes a net 15 having a first side 19 and a second side
20, wherein the first side 19 is retractably secured to the first
end pole 13 and the second side 20 is secured to the second end
pole 14. The net 15 is adapted to block projectiles, such as stones
and other debris, from passing beyond the device 11. The upper end
of each end pole 13 includes a curved section 17 adapted to create
an overhang that assists in preventing projectiles from bypassing
the device 11.
[0020] The net 15 further comprises one or more channels 18 in
which a support pole 12 is inserted. Each channel 18 is vertically
oriented and parallel to the first side 19 and the second side 20
of the net 15. The channel 18 includes an opening disposed on the
lower end, wherein a support pole 12 is adapted to be inserted and
disposed therein. The support pole 12 provides support and
stability to the net 15. The upper end of the channel 18 is closed
so as to prevent the support pole 12 from extending through the
upper end of the net 15. The channels 18 are spaced at a fixed
interval along the net 15. In the illustrated embodiment, the net
15 comprises a single channel 18 disposed between the first side 19
and the second side 20 thereof. However, in other embodiments,
multiple channels 18 are provided in order to extend the length of
the net 15 and allow a support pole 12 to be disposed therein to
provide stability thereto.
[0021] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a cross sectional
view of the first end pole and a perspective view of the second end
pole of the portable fence device. The net 15 is adapted to extend
from the first pole 13 by separating the first end pole 13 from the
second end pole 14. As the end poles 13, 14 are separated, the net
15 becomes extended. The first end pole 13 comprises an elongated
vertical slot from which the net 15 extends. The interior of the
first end pole 13 houses a retracting mechanism 30 adapted to
retract and extend the net 15.
[0022] In the illustrated embodiment, the retracting mechanism 30
comprises a spool 26, wherein the end of the net 15 is secured
thereto and adapted to wrap around the spool 26 in a stored
configuration. The spool 26 comprises a first bushing 27 and a
second bushing 27 disposed at opposite ends of thereof. The
retracting mechanism 30 further comprises an elongated, helical
return spring 28 disposed within the spool 26 and a vertical rod 36
disposed in the center thereof. The vertical rod 36 extends through
the length of the spool 26 and the interior diameter of the
bushings 27, wherein the ends of the vertical rod 36 are secured to
the upper and lower ends of the first end pole 13. In this way, the
vertical rod 36 is stationary, wherein the bushings 27 are adapted
to allow the spool 26 to rotate around the vertical rod 36. The
vertical rod 36 is attached to the first end pole 13 by any
suitable fastener, such as screws.
[0023] The end of the return spring 28 is secured to the vertical
rod 36 and the opposing end of the spring 28 is secured to the
spool 26. Any suitable fastener can be used to secure the spring 28
to the spool 26 and vertical rod 36, such as screws. Consequently,
when the spool 26 is rotated relative to the vertical rod 36 in an
appropriate direction, the spring 28 becomes tensioned so as to
exert a biasing force tending to return the spool 26 to its
unbiased position. In other embodiments, the retracting mechanism
30 can comprise any suitable configuration so long as the net 15 is
adapted to retract within a pole 12. In some embodiments, there is
a locking mechanism to prevent the retracting mechanism 30 from
retracting. However, in the illustrated embodiment, the net 15
remains extended by anchoring the end poles 13, 14 and the support
poles to the ground via the tripod base.
[0024] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a perspective view
of the tripod base and the lower end of a pole of the portable
fence device. The lower end of each pole 12 includes a threaded
channel 31 adapted to receive a screw 35 secured to the upper end
of the tripod base 16. The screw 35 is vertically oriented and
removably disposed within the threaded channel 31. The tripod base
16 further includes a ledge 34 adapted to allow a user to apply his
or her body weight when pushing the pole 12 into the ground. The
tripod base 16 further comprises a plurality of legs 32, wherein
the legs 32 are disposed beneath the ledge 34. The legs 32 are
pointed so as to allow the tripod base 16 to penetrate the ground.
The position of the legs 32 is adapted to be adjusted by a knob 33
disposed on the exterior of the tripod base 16. The knob 33 is
adapted to turn, wherein the legs 32 adjust outwardly to a
horizontal position as the knob 33 is turned. The knob 33 is
adapted to turn in the opposing direction, wherein the legs 32
adjust inwardly to a vertical position as the knob 33 is turned. In
this way, the legs 32 are adapted to be positioned in a compact
configuration for storage or positioned for operation.
[0025] Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a perspective view
of the curved section of the portable fence device. The curved
section 17 of the portable fence device comprises a pair of curved
members 29 and a top net 37 disposed therebetween, wherein the
curved members 29 are removably secured to the pair of end poles
13, 14. The top net 37 is disposed between the pair of curved
members 29 and creates the overhang that assists in preventing
projectiles from bypassing the device. The top net 37 is secured to
the first curved member 29 and second curved 29 by any suitable
fastener, such as adhesive or screws. The length of the top net 37
is preferably the same as the length of the net disposed between
the end poles 13, 14. In some embodiments, the top net 37 is
retractably secured to the first curved member 29, wherein the
first curved member 29 comprises a retracting mechanism therein.
The curved member 29 comprises a base 30 having an opening adapted
to accept the upper end of an end pole 13 therein. The dimension of
the opening is the same as the dimension of the upper end of the
end pole 13 in order for the end pole 13 to fit securely therein.
The curved section 17 is adapted to be removed for storing the
device in a compact configuration.
[0026] In operation, the curved section is removably secured to the
first end pole and the second end pole. The first end pole is then
separated from the second end pole, wherein the net extends from
the retracting mechanism disposed in the first end pole. The
support poles are disposed within the channels of the net providing
support thereto. The tripod base is then screwed onto each pole and
removably secured to a horizontal surface.
[0027] It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has
been shown and described in what is considered to be the most
practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however,
that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and
that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the
art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be
realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts
of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape,
form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are
deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and
all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings
and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed
by the present invention.
[0028] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only
of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous
modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in
the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact
construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly,
all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to,
falling within the scope of the invention.
* * * * *