U.S. patent application number 16/363995 was filed with the patent office on 2019-07-18 for fence slat and fence slat locking system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Creedmoor Holdings, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Creedmoor Holdings, LLC. Invention is credited to Kenneth Goodrich, Zane Mitchell.
Application Number | 20190218817 16/363995 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59723457 |
Filed Date | 2019-07-18 |
![](/patent/app/20190218817/US20190218817A1-20190718-D00000.png)
![](/patent/app/20190218817/US20190218817A1-20190718-D00001.png)
![](/patent/app/20190218817/US20190218817A1-20190718-D00002.png)
![](/patent/app/20190218817/US20190218817A1-20190718-D00003.png)
![](/patent/app/20190218817/US20190218817A1-20190718-D00004.png)
![](/patent/app/20190218817/US20190218817A1-20190718-D00005.png)
United States Patent
Application |
20190218817 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Goodrich; Kenneth ; et
al. |
July 18, 2019 |
FENCE SLAT AND FENCE SLAT LOCKING SYSTEM
Abstract
This disclosure generally relates to fence slat and a fence slat
interlocking system. The fence slat includes a first fence slat
locking mechanism disposed on one side of the fence slat. The fence
slat further includes a second fence slat locking mechanism
disposed on a second side of the fence slat. A plurality of fence
slats are interlocked with each other by the one or more locking
mechanisms such that lateral tension is applied between each fence
slat.
Inventors: |
Goodrich; Kenneth; (Lehi,
UT) ; Mitchell; Zane; (Lehi, UT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Creedmoor Holdings, LLC |
Lehi |
UT |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Creedmoor Holdings, LLC
Lehi
UT
|
Family ID: |
59723457 |
Appl. No.: |
16/363995 |
Filed: |
March 25, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
15060783 |
Mar 4, 2016 |
10267057 |
|
|
16363995 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 17/168 20130101;
E04H 17/16 20130101; E04H 17/1426 20130101; E04H 17/1417 20130101;
E04H 2017/1452 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E04H 17/16 20060101
E04H017/16; E04H 17/14 20060101 E04H017/14 |
Claims
1. A fence slat, comprising: a face; a first fence slat locking
mechanism disposed on a first side of the fence slat and a second
fence slat locking mechanism disposed on a second side of the fence
slat, wherein the first fence slat locking mechanism includes a
locking surface that is parallel to the face and the second fence
slat locking mechanism includes another locking surface that is
parallel to the face, wherein the first fence slat locking
mechanism and the second fence slat locking mechanism open towards
each other.
2. The fence slat of claim 1, wherein the first fence slat locking
mechanism further includes a first bend.
3. The fence slat of claim 2, wherein the first bend is 90.degree.
relative to a face of the fence slat.
4. The fence slat of claim 1, wherein the first fence slat locking
mechanism further includes a second bend.
5. The fence slat of claim 2, wherein the second bend is 90.degree.
relative to the first bend.
6. The fence slat of claim 1, wherein a first locking surface is
disposed between a first bend and a second bend.
7. The fence slat of claim 6, wherein a second locking surface is
created by the second bend, wherein the second locking surface is
less than half of the width of the fence slat across a face of the
fence slat.
8. The fence slat of claim 1, wherein the second locking mechanism
includes: a first bend that is approximately 90.degree. relative to
a face of the fence slat, a second bend that is approximately
90.degree. relative to the first bend, a first locking surface
disposed between the first bend and the second bend, and a second
locking surface created by the second bend which is less than half
of the width of the fence slat across the face of the fence
slat.
9. A fence slat locking system, comprising: a first fence slat
including a first locking mechanism; a second fence slat including
a second locking mechanism which nests inside the first locking
mechanism and interlocks with a third fence slat; and a fourth
fence slat.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein the first fence slat abuts the
third fence slat along at least one locking surface of the first
fence slat and at least one locking surface of the third fence
slat.
11. The system of claim 9, wherein the first fence slat and the
third fence slat are co-planar and the second fence slat and the
fourth fence slat are co-planar.
12. The system of claim 9, wherein the fourth fence slat abuts the
second fence slat along at least one locking surface of the fourth
fence slat and at least one locking surface of the second fence
slat.
13. The system of claim 9, wherein the first fence slat, the second
fence slat, the third fence slat, and the fourth fence slat are
uniformly sized.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein the first fence slat, the
second fence slat, the third fence slat, and the fourth fence slat
are metal.
15. The system of claim 9, further comprising a horizontal cross
member.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein the horizontal cross member is
disposed in an aperture of a first fence post and an aperture of a
second fence post.
17. The system of claim 16, wherein the horizontal cross member is
made of polyvinyl chloride plastic.
18. The system of claim 9, wherein the first fence post and the
second fence post are made of polyvinyl chloride plastic.
19. The system of claim 9, wherein the first fence slat, the second
fence slat, the third fence slat, and the fourth fence slat are
made of steel.
20. The system of claim 9, wherein the first fence slat, the second
fence slat, the third fence slat, and the fourth fence slat
experience lateral tension between a first fence post and a second
fence post.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/060,783, filed Mar. 4, 2016 entitled "FENCE
SLAT AND FENCE SLAT LOCKING SYSTEM," which is incorporated herein
by reference in its entirety, including but not limited to those
portions that specifically appear hereinafter, the incorporation by
reference being made with the following exception: In the event
that any portion of the above-referenced application is
inconsistent with this application, this application supersedes
said portion of said above-referenced application.
BACKGROUND
1. Technical Field
[0002] This disclosure relates to fence slat and a fence slat
locking system for a fence. More specifically, the fence slat and
fence slat locking system described herein may be used to construct
a fence with substantial rigidity, weather resistance, and
durability. The resulting fence is attractive, customizable, and
carries a substantially lower cost than conventional fences.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0003] Fences have been constructed to divide one section of land
from another, protect animals, corral animals, and maintain
physical boundaries since the concept of private property
originated. Many types of fences have been constructed in that time
including hedge fences (fences made from living plants--cactus,
shrubs, trees, turf, and etc.); wood fences; metal fences; stone
fences, concrete fences, or hybrid fences made from two or more of
the foregoing types of materials. Examples of hybrid fences include
barbwire fences which string metal wire between wooden braces and
along one or more steel poles designed to hold the metal wire in
place at a certain height. Another example includes a stake fence
in which wooden stakes are driven into the ground that are wrapped
one to another with metal wire.
[0004] More recently, various manmade materials have been used to
construct fences. For example, temporary fences have been
manufactured from various plastics. Construction sites, ski runs,
and even roadways typically use a plastic mesh fencing that that is
stretched between one or more poles as a barricade to prevent
people or animals from accessing a certain area. Other plastics
have been used to construct fences such as PVC (polyvinyl
chloride), which are more commonly referred to as "vinyl"
fences.
[0005] Vinyl fences are typically used in applications where the
attractiveness of the fence is a concern because they are
considered to be more attractive than many other types of fences at
a substantially lower cost than those other types of fences. For
example, many homeowners choose to build vinyl fences in
residential applications to separate one home from another. Corrals
that house fine animals may be built using vinyl fencing configured
in a horse fence configuration, for example, in an effort to
impress buyers or improve the perceived value of the animals. Other
applications for vinyl fences include privacy fencing, pool
fencing, and pet fencing.
[0006] Vinyl fencing, however, has a number of drawbacks. First,
because vinyl fencing is typically subject to substantial heat and
substantial cold in some geographic locations, vinyl fences have a
tendency to expand when heated and contract when cooled. This daily
expansion and contraction of vinyl fences as the fence slats are
exposed to sun can be detrimental to the structural rigidity of the
fence because PVC, the plastic from which vinyl is made, tends to
have a relatively low memory compared to metal or wood fences, for
example. The term "low memory" describes a situation in which the
PVC that forms the vinyl fencing does not necessarily return to its
original position and condition when it is heated and cooled. Over
time, repeated heating and cooling causes additional play between
fence slats, sagging between vertical support posts, and
brittleness in the fencing materials. The corresponding structural
rigidity of the fence is similarly compromised, allowing the fence
to bend and move substantially. Not only does repeated heating and
cooling make vinyl fences susceptible to damage caused by physical
impacts (e.g. children throwing a ball at the fence) or weather,
but also results in decreased attractiveness of the fence as sags
begin to develop. Since vinyl fences are typically installed for
aesthetic reasons, the decreased attractiveness of the fence over
time is undesirable.
[0007] Second, a typical vinyl fence relies on plastic slats as
structural components that increase the structural rigidity of a
vinyl fence. Vinyl fence slats are typically disposed parallel to
vertical support posts and are enclosed on both ends by horizontal
beams. Tension between the slats on either side of a vertical
support post is transferred into opposing forces that push on the
vertical support post in opposing directions, which in turn
provides structural rigidity to the fence. As the fence slats
expand and contract as they are heated and cooled by the sun each
day, the slats lose the tension between them, reducing the forces
applied to the vertical support posts, and therefore reducing the
structural rigidity of the fence.
[0008] Third, typical vinyl fences are not customizable on opposing
sides of the vinyl fences. While manufacturers make vertical
support posts, horizontal beams, and fence slats in various colors,
both sides of the vinyl fence are constructed using the same color
because conventional vinyl fence slats maintain the same color on
both sides of a conventional vinyl fence slat. Since vinyl fences
typically mark property boundaries, and color preferences between
neighbors may be different, neighbors may often be unable to agree
on a color for the vinyl fence.
[0009] Accordingly, it is one object of this disclosure to provide
a fence slat locking system that maintains the structural rigidity
of a fence over time. Another object of this disclosure is to
provide a fence slat that locks together with one or more other
fence slats to increase the structural rigidity of a fence.
[0010] Finally, it is another object of this disclosure to provide
a fence slat locking system that is customizable on different sides
of the fence.
SUMMARY
[0011] Disclosed herein is a fence slat. The fence slat includes a
fence slat locking mechanism disposed on a first side of the fence
slat. The fence slat further includes a fence slat locking
mechanism disposed on a second side of the fence slat. Also
disclosed herein is a fence slat locking system which includes a
first fence slat, a second fence slat, a third fence slat, and a
fourth fence slat. In the fence slat locking system, the second
fence slat interlocks with the third fence slat. Each of the first
fence slat, the second fence slat, the third fence slat, and the
fourth fence slat may experience lateral tension when disposed
between a first fence post and a second fence post.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The accompanying drawings illustrate an embodiment of fence
slat and fence slat locking system.
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a fence slat
suitable for use in a fence slat locking system disclosed
herein.
[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of
the fence slat locking system.
[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of one embodiment of the fence
slat locking system.
[0016] FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of one embodiment of the fence
slat locking system.
[0017] FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of a section of fence
constructed using the fence slat and the fence slat locking
system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] In the following description, for purposes of explanation
and not limitation, specific techniques and embodiments are set
forth, such as particular techniques and configurations, in order
to provide a thorough understanding of the device disclosed herein.
While the techniques and embodiments will primarily be described in
context with the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art
will further appreciate that the techniques and embodiments may
also be practiced in other similar devices.
[0019] Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary
embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying
drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used
throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. It is
further noted that elements disclosed with respect to particular
embodiments are not restricted to only those embodiments in which
they are described. For example, an element described in reference
to one embodiment or figure, may be alternatively included in
another embodiment or figure regardless of whether or not those
elements are shown or described in another embodiment or figure. In
other words, elements in the figures may be interchangeable between
various embodiments disclosed herein, whether shown or not.
[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a fence slat 100
suitable for use in a fence slat locking system. Fence slat 100 is
typically constructed using metals and metal alloys. In one
embodiment, fence slat 100 is constructed using steel. However,
fence slat 100 could be implemented using any metal with tensile
properties suitable for use as a fence slat. For example, fence
slat 100 may be constructed from other metals such as tin,
aluminum, magnesium, beryllium, and alloys that include any of
these metals. Typically, fence slat 100 may be constructed from
metals that are between 0.005 and 0.100 inches in thickness.
However, in some implementations, fence slat 100 may require a
thicker or thinner metal. Because fence slat 100 is constructed
using a metal, fence slat 100 enhances the structural rigidity of a
fence over time over conventional vinyl slats. Fence slat 100,
constructed using a metal, is less susceptible to heat induced
expansion and contraction and sagging over time.
[0021] Fence slat 100 includes first bend 105 and a second bend 110
which creates a first locking surface 115 and a second locking
surface 120. First bend 105, second bend 110, first locking surface
115, and second locking surface 120 are referred to as first fence
slat locking mechanism 150a. First fence slat locking mechanism
150a is created by creating first bend 105 in fence slat 100. Fence
slat 100 is bent along an entire length of fence slat 100 such that
first locking surface 115 is substantially perpendicular to a face
125 of fence slat 100. First bend 105 is ideally a 90.degree. bend
(relative to face 125 of fence slat 100) and is generally within
10.degree. of 90.degree. in ideal implementations. However, as will
be discussed below, first bend 105 may be implemented as a bend
between about 30.degree. and about 150.degree. in order to
facilitate the locking of fence slat 100 with another fence
slat.
[0022] In first fence slat locking mechanism 150a, first locking
surface 115 is ideally perpendicular to face 125 of fence slat 100
and is typically between 0.25 and 3 inches in length, depending on
the particular implementation of fence slat 100. A length of first
locking surface 115 is defined as being the surface of fence slat
100 disposed between first bend 105 and second bend 110. Second
bend 110 is also ideally a 90.degree. bend (relative to first bend
105) and is generally within 10.degree. of 90.degree. in ideal
implementations. However, as will be discussed below, second bend
110 may implemented as a bend between about 30.degree. and about
150.degree. in order to facilitate the locking of fence slat 100
with another fence slat. Second bend 110 defines a second locking
surface 120 that is substantially perpendicular to first locking
surface 115 and substantially parallel with face 125 of fence slat
100. A length of second locking surface 120 may be less than half
of the width of fence slat 100 across face 125 of fence slat 100.
In other words, if the width of fence slat 100 measures 8 inches
from third bend 130 (which will be discussed below) to first bend
105, the length of second locking surface 120 is less than 4
inches.
[0023] Fence slat 100 includes a third bend 130 and a fourth bend
140 which creates a third locking surface 135 and a fourth locking
surface 145. Third bend 130, fourth bend 140, third locking surface
135, and fourth locking surface 145 are referred to as second fence
slat locking mechanism 150b. Second fence slat locking mechanism
150b is disposed on a side of fence slat 100 that is opposite of
first fence slat locking mechanism 150a (i.e., first fence slat
locking mechanism 150a is disposed on a first side of fence slat
100 while second fence slat locking mechanism 150b is disposed on a
second side of fence slat 100 opposite of the first side of fence
slat 100). Second fence slat locking mechanism 150b is created by
creating third bend 130 in fence slat 100. Fence slat 100 is bent
along an entire length of fence slat 100 such that the third
locking surface 135 is substantially perpendicular to a face 125 of
fence slat 100. Third bend 130 is ideally a 90.degree. bend and is
generally within 10.degree. of 90.degree. in ideal implementations.
However, as will be discussed below, third bend 30 may implemented
as a bend between about 30.degree. and about 150.degree. in order
to facilitate the locking of fence slat 100 with another fence
slat.
[0024] In second fence slat locking mechanism 150b, third locking
surface 135 is ideally perpendicular to face 125 of fence slat 100
and is typically between 0.25 and 3 inches in length, depending on
the particular implementation of fence slat 100. A length of third
locking surface 135 is defined as being the surface of fence slat
100 disposed between third bend 130 and fourth bend 140. Fourth
bend 140 is also ideally a 90.degree. bend and is generally within
10.degree. of 90.degree. in ideal implementations. However, as will
be discussed below, fourth bend 140 may be implemented as a bend
between about 30.degree. and about 150.degree. in order to
facilitate the locking of fence slat 100 with another fence slat.
Fourth bend 140 defines a fourth locking surface 145 that is
substantially perpendicular to the third locking surface 135 and
substantially parallel with face 125 of fence slat 100. A length of
fourth locking surface 145 may be less than half of the width of
fence slat 100 across face 125 of fence slat 100. In other words,
if the width of fence slat 100 measures 8 inches from third bend
130 to first bend 105, the length of fourth locking surface 145 is
less than 4 inches.
[0025] Each of first bend 105, second bend 110, third bend 130, and
fourth bend 145 may be implemented along substantially the entire
length of fence slat 100. In other words, if a length of fence slat
100 is measured as 6 feet from a top of fence slat 100 to a bottom
of fence slat 100, first bend 105, second bend 110, third bend 130,
and fourth bend 145 may also be 6 feet in length from the top of
fence slat 100 to the bottom of fence slat 100. The exemplary
widths and lengths of fence slat 100 described above are not
limiting and are merely disclosed for the purposes of explanation,
description, and example. Different fence slats, including those
that that incorporate different aesthetic designs, for example, may
be implemented with any dimensions of length and width.
[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of
the fence slat locking system 200. Fence slat locking system 200
includes a fence post 205. Fence post 205 may be constructed using
any suitable materials. For example, fence post 205 may be
constructed using a metal or metal alloy, wood, or plastic, such as
polyvinyl chloride. Fence post 205 may include two apertures 210
for receiving a horizontal support, which will be discussed in more
detail below.
[0027] Fence slat locking system 200 further includes a fence slat
215, which is similar in description and implementation to fence
slat 100, shown in FIG. 1. Fence slat 215 may be attached to fence
post 205 using any fastener known in the art. For example, in one
implementation, fence slat 215 may be attached to fence post 205
using one or more self-tapping screws. Shown in FIG. 2 are first
attachment point 220a and second attachment point 220b which are
shown merely for purposes of explanation and description. Any
number of attachment points may be implemented in fence slat
locking system 200.
[0028] Once fence slat 215 is attached to fence post 205, a second
fence slat 225 may be installed in fence slat locking system 200.
Second fence slat 225 is also similar in description and
implementation to fence slat 100, shown in FIG. 1. Fence slat 215
includes locking mechanism 230 which is similar in description and
implementation to locking mechanism 150b, shown in FIG. 1. Second
fence slat 225 includes second locking mechanism 235 which is
similar in description and implementation to locking mechanism
150a, shown in FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, locking mechanism 235 of second
fence slat 225 is inserted into locking mechanism 230 of fence slat
225. When assembled, locking mechanism 235 of second fence slat 225
nests inside locking mechanism 230 of fence slat 215. Locking
mechanism 230 of fence slat 215 may exert tension on locking
mechanism 235 of second fence slat 225 such that second fence slat
225 may be secured in place while additional fence slats are
installed. The further installation of fence slats will be
discussed below.
[0029] FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of one embodiment of fence
slat locking system 300. Fence slat locking system 300 includes
fence slat 305, second fence slat 310, and third fence slat 315.
Each of fence slat 305, second fence slat 310, and third fence slat
315 are similar in implementation and description to fence slat
100, shown in FIG. 1. Fence slat 305 includes locking surface 320
and second locking surface 335. First locking surface 320 abuts
third locking surface 325 of third fence slat 315 such that first
locking surface 320 may be held to third locking surface 325 of
third fence slat 315. Third fence slat 315 further includes a
fourth locking surface 340 which secures second fence slat 310 to
third fence slat 315. More simply put, fourth locking surface 340
of third fence slat 315 secures third fence slat 315 to second
fence slat 310 by interlocking a locking mechanism of third fence
slat 315 with a locking mechanism of second fence slat 310.
[0030] Accordingly FIG. 3 illustrates a three fence slat
interlocking system 345 in which fence slat 305, second fence slat
310, and third fence slat 315 are interlocked by their various
locking mechanisms interlocking in three fence slat interlocking
system 345. Fence slat locking system 300 creates an implementation
in which, for example, fence slat 305 includes a locking mechanism
350b which may be attached to a fence post while second fence slat
310 includes a locking mechanism 350a which may be nested into
locking mechanism 350b to create a two fence slat locking mechanism
350. At the same time, third fence slat 315 may be indirectly
secured to fence slat 305 by directly securing third fence slat 315
to second fence slat 310. Accordingly, fence slat locking system
300 may include both two fence slat locking mechanism 350a and
three fence slat locking mechanism 345.
[0031] FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of one embodiment of fence
slat locking system 400. Fence slat locking system 400 includes
first fence slat 405, second fence slat 410, third fence slat 415,
and fourth fence slat 420. Each of fence slat 405, second fence
slat 410, third fence slat 415, and fourth fence slat 420 are
similar in implementation and description to fence slat 100, shown
in FIG. 1. First fence slat 405 includes first locking surface 425
and second locking surface 435. First locking surface 425 of first
fence slat 405 abuts third locking surface 430 of third fence slat
415 such that first locking surface 420 may be held to third
locking surface 430 of third fence slat 415. Third fence slat 415
further includes a fourth locking surface 440 which secures second
fence slat 410 to third fence slat 415 by interlocking fourth
locking surface 440 with fifth locking surface 445 and sixth
locking surface 455 of second fence slat 410. As shown in FIG. 4,
fifth locking surface 445 and sixth locking surface 455 of second
fence slat 410 interlock with third locking surface 430 and fourth
locking surface 440 to ensure that second fence slat 410 and third
fence slat 415 are held together in fence locking system 400.
[0032] As mentioned above, fence locking system 400 includes fourth
fence slat 420 which further includes seventh locking surface 450
and eighth locking surface 460. In fence locking system 400,
seventh locking surface 450 abuts fifth locking surface 445 such
that seventh locking surface 450 may be held to fifth locking
surface 445 of second fence slat 410. In this manner, four fence
slots may be arranged together in a locking manner.
[0033] Accordingly, FIG. 4 illustrates a four fence slat
interlocking system 465 in which first fence slat 405, second fence
slat 410, third fence slat 415, and fourth fence slat 415 are
interlocked by their various locking mechanisms interlocking in
four fence slat interlocking mechanism 465. Fence slat locking
system 400 creates an implementation in which, for example, fourth
fence slat 420 includes a locking mechanism 470b which may be
attached to a fence post while third fence slat 415 includes
locking mechanism 470a which may be nested into locking mechanism
470b to create a two fence locking mechanism 470. At the same time,
second fence slat 410 may be indirectly secured to fourth fence
slat 420 by directly securing second fence slat 410 to third fence
slat 415.
[0034] In this manner, additional fence slats may be installed in a
section of fence using the techniques described herein. For
example, once first fence slat 405, second fence slat 410, third
fence slat 415, and fourth fence slat 420 have been interlocked in
interlock mechanism 465 (and third fence slat 415 and fourth slat
420 have been interlocked in interlock mechanism 470), additional
fence slats may be successively added to create a plurality of
interlock mechanisms 465. As additional fence slats are
successively added and additional interlock mechanisms 465 are
created, lateral tension is applied between various fence slats.
This lateral tension applied between the various fence slats pushes
abutting fence slats against each other, creating rigidity for a
section of fence between fence posts. For example, first fence slat
405 may abut third fence slat 415 and receive lateral tension from
third fence slat 415 and one or more other fence slats in a fence
that are interlocked using the techniques described herein.
Accordingly, interlock mechanisms 465 enhance the rigidity of a
section of fence using the techniques described herein over
conventional fences.
[0035] Finally, fence slat locking system 400 may be customizable
to suit a particular homeowner's aesthetic desires. In one
embodiment, for example, first fence slat 405 and third fence slat
415 may share a common color scheme while second fence slat 410 and
fourth fence slat 420 may share a color scheme common to second
fence slat 410 and fourth fence slat 420 but that is a color scheme
different from the color scheme shared by first fence slat 405 and
third fence slat 415. More simply put, fence slats on opposite
sides of fence slat locking system 400 may be differently colored.
Thus, in a fence built between two adjacent properties, one
property owner may enjoy one color fence while his neighbor may
enjoy another color fence. To clarify, every slat in fence slat
locking system 400 may be a different color. It is not required
that every slat on one side of the fence maintain a particular
color. This ability to customize the aesthetic design of the fence
is desirable because different adjacent property owners may have
different aesthetic tastes that are more easily satisfied by fence
locking system 400 than conventional fences.
[0036] FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of a section of fence 500
constructed using fence slat 100 shown in FIG. 1 and one or more of
fence slat locking systems 200, 300 and 400, shown in FIGS. 2, 3,
and 4, respectively. Fence 500 is constructed between fence post
505 and fence post 510, which may be constructed using polyvinyl
chloride plastic, and includes a plurality of fence slats 515 which
are each interlocked as described above with respect to FIG. 2,
FIG. 3, and FIG. 4. The plurality of fence slats 515 are disposed
within a top horizontal cross member 520 and a bottom horizontal
cross member 525 which provide horizontal support to fence 500. Top
horizontal cross member 520 may be inserted into an aperture within
fence post 505 and fence post 510 corresponding to aperture 210,
shown in FIG. 2. Similarly, bottom horizontal cross member 525 may
be inserted into another aperture within fence post 505 and fence
post 510 also corresponding to aperture 210, shown in FIG. 2.
[0037] Both bottom horizontal cross member 525 and top horizontal
cross member 520 may be constructed using polyvinyl chloride
plastic and include a channel or groove of appropriate dimension to
receive a top or bottom of the plurality of fence slats 515 such
that at least a portion of each fence slat in the plurality of
fence slats 515 are disposed within the channel or groove of bottom
horizontal cross member 525 and top horizontal cross member 520. In
practice, bottom horizontal cross member 525 may be installed
between fence post 505 and fence post 510 before the plurality of
fence slats 515 are inserted into the channel or groove of bottom
horizontal cross member 525. Each of the plurality of fence slats
515 may be installed and interlocked described using the techniques
described herein. Once the plurality of fence slats 515 are
installed in an interlocking fashion, top horizontal cross member
520 may be installed by inserting the plurality of fence slats 515
into the channel or groove of top horizontal cross member 520 while
simultaneously inserting top horizontal cross member 520 into an
aperture of fence post 505 or fence post 510. Horizontal cross
member 520 may then be slid across the top of the plurality of
fence slats 515 into a corresponding aperture of fence post 505 or
fence post 510. Fence 500 may therefore be completed.
[0038] The foregoing description has been presented for purposes of
illustration. It is not exhaustive and does not limit the invention
to the precise forms or embodiments disclosed. Modifications and
adaptations will be apparent to those skilled in the art from
consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosed
embodiments. For example, components described herein may be
removed and other components added without departing from the scope
or spirit of the embodiments disclosed herein or the appended
claims.
[0039] Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the
art from consideration of the specification and practice of the
disclosure disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification
and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and
spirit of the invention being indicated by the following
claims.
* * * * *