MODULAR FENCE SYSTEM AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF

Abstract

A modular fence system is disclosed herein. The modular fence system may include a first vertical post, a second vertical post, a first horizontal support configured to extend between and secure to the first vertical post and the second vertical post, a first vertical panel comprising a first vertically elongated slot and a second vertically elongated slot, and a first plurality of fasteners. Additional horizontal supports and vertical panels may be included. The modular fence system and its components may be configured to be installed on sloped terrain.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a modular fence system and methods of use thereof. More specifically, the disclosure is directed towards a modular fence system capable of being installed on uneven terrain.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

It is estimated that in the U.S. alone, over 70 million real estate properties have fences. The size and shape of properties varies widely. Different properties also contain a variety of geographical features, such as hills, valleys, mounds, ditches, or creeks. Many geographical features are characterized by uneven or sloping terrain. Given the vast number of possibilities for the size and shape of a property as well as the type and arrangement of geographical features on the property, no two properties are identical.

Moreover, property owners may install fences for a number of purposes including privacy, security, and to contain young children and pets. The design of a fence may be varied based on the purpose for which it is used. For example, if a property owner desires to install a fence for privacy, it may only be necessary to install a fence along a small portion of the property where unwanted observers are most likely to see into the property. If a fence is to be used for security or to contain small children or pets, it may be necessary for a fence to enclose an entire property or portion of a property.

Because the topographies of properties and the needs of the property owners may vary greatly, it is often necessary to install a custom fence on a property. However, custom fences are expensive and time consuming to install. Modular fence systems may be used as a less expensive alternative. However, prior art modular fence systems are limited in their ability to adapt to the unique landscape of a property and thus may not be an acceptable alternative to custom fences. Prior art modular fence systems may also require specialized tools to install, which, in turn, may increase installation costs and eliminate any perceived cost savings.

Thus, a need exists for better modular fence system and methods of installation of such a system that allows for quickly and easily installation of the fence on a property having an uneven topography without the need for specialized tools.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In a first aspect, a modular fence system is disclosed. The modular fence system includes a first vertical post, a second vertical post, a first horizontal support configured to extend between and secure to the first vertical post and the second vertical post, a first vertical panel comprising a first vertically elongated slot and a second vertically elongated slot, and a first plurality of fasteners each configured to extend through one of the first or second vertically elongated slots into the first horizontal support to secure the first vertical panel to the first horizontal support. Each of the first and second vertically elongated slots may comprise a height, H_SL, and are separated by a distance, DS_L, and wherein

$\frac{H_{\mathrm{SL}}}{D_{\mathrm{SL}}}\ge 0.35.$

Each of the first and second vertically elongated slots may comprise a slot width, W_SL, wherein each of the first plurality of fasteners comprise a shaft having a shaft width, W_FS, and wherein

$\frac{W_{\mathrm{SL}}-W_{\mathrm{FS}}}{D_{\mathrm{SL}}}\ge 0.03.$

Each of the first plurality of fasteners may comprise a head having a flange and a flange width, and the flange width may be greater than the slot width of the first and second vertically elongated slots.

The modular fence system may comprise a second horizontal support configured to extend between and secure to the first vertical post and the second vertical post. The second horizontal support may be above or below the first horizontal support when the first and second horizontal supports are secured to the first and second vertical posts. The first vertical panel may comprise a third vertically elongated slot and a fourth vertically elongated slot. Each of the first plurality of fasteners may be configured to extend through one of the third or fourth vertically elongated slots into the second horizontal support to secure the first vertical panel to the second horizontal support.

The modular fence system may comprise a plurality of vertical panels including the first vertical panel. One or more of the first vertical post, the second vertical post, the first horizontal support, the second horizontal support, or the plurality of vertical panels may be anodized, powder coated, galvanized, or a combination thereof. The first and second vertical posts, the first and second horizontal supports, and the plurality of vertical panels may be constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of a polymer, a recycled polymer, aluminum, steel, and a combination thereof.

The first and second horizontal supports may comprise a first side and a second side opposite the first side, wherein the first and second sides of the first and second horizontal supports are configured such that vertical panels from the plurality of vertical panels can be secured to both the first and second sides of the first and second horizontal supports. The first and second sides of the first and second horizontal supports may comprise a plurality of holes configured to receive the first plurality of fasteners. The plurality of holes may be prefabricated. The plurality of holes. The holes may be grouped into two or more sets of two holes, and wherein the two holes in each set have a distance extending therebetween that is less than between the holes of different set of holes.

The first horizontal support may comprise a first end, a first tab extending out from the first end, and a second tab extending out from the first end, wherein the first end, first tab, and second tab are configured to form a U-shaped cavity configured to receive one of the first or second vertical posts. Each of the first tab and second tab may comprise an aperture. The modular fence system may comprise a second plurality of fasteners. Each of the second plurality of fasteners may be configured to extend through the aperture in the first tab or second tab and into one of the first and second vertical posts to secure the first horizontal support to one of the first or second vertical posts. The aperture in the first tab and the aperture in the second tab may be disposed at an aperture distance, D_A, from the first end, wherein the first horizontal support is configured such that the first horizontal support and one of the first and second vertical posts form a gap when the first horizontal support is secured to and extending orthogonally from one of the first or second vertical posts, wherein the gap has a gap width, W_G, and wherein

$\frac{W_G}{D_A}\ge 0.06.$

In a second aspect, another embodiment of a modular fence system is disclosed. The modular fence system comprises a first stanchion, a second stanchion, a first horizontal support configured to extend between and secure to the first stanchion and the second stanchion, and a first vertical panel including a first securing recess, a second securing recess, and a first protrusion extending between the first securing recess and the second securing recess. The first vertical panel is configured to secure to the first horizontal support. The first vertical panel may comprise a second protrusion extending from the first securing recess oppositely from the first protrusion and a third protrusion extending from the securing recess oppositely from the first protrusion. The first vertical panel may comprise a first edge extending from the second protrusion oppositely from the first securing recess and a second edge extending from the third protrusion oppositely from the second securing recess. The first and second edges may comprise a hem, such as an open hem. The vertical fence panels may comprise a dog-eared top end.

In a third aspect, a method of installing a modular fence system is disclosed. The method comprises the step of providing a first vertical post, a second vertical post, a first horizontal support configured to extend between and secure to the first and second vertical posts, a first vertical panel comprising a first vertically elongated slot and a second vertically elongated slot, and a first plurality of fasteners each configured to extend through one of the first or second vertically elongated slots into the first horizontal support to secure the first vertical panel to the first horizontal support. The method comprises securing the first and second vertical posts to the ground, securing the first horizontal support to the first and second vertical posts, and securing the first vertical panel to the first horizontal support by inserting fasteners from the first plurality of fasteners through each of the first and second vertically elongated slots and into the first horizontal support.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

It should be noted that identical or similar features in different drawings are shown with the same reference numeral.

FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of a modular fence system.

FIG. 2 shows a top perspective view of a horizontal support of the modular fence system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows an enlarged, top perspective view of one end of a horizontal support of the modular fence system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows an enlarged, side perspective view of a horizontal support and a vertical post of the modular fence system of FIG. 1 secured together.

FIG. 5 shows a front perspective view of a vertical panel of the modular fence system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 shows an enlarged, front elevation view of a section of a vertical panel of the modular fence system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 shows an enlarged, top perspective view of a vertical panel of the modular fence system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 shows a side perspective view of a fastener of the modular fence system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 depicts a flow chart of an exemplary method of installing the modular fence system of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now will be made in detail to the embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a further embodiment.

Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure covers such modifications and variations that come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Other objects, features, and aspects of the present disclosure are disclosed in or are apparent from the following description. It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present disclosure is a description of exemplary embodiments only and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the present disclosure.

For the sake of clarity, not all reference numerals are necessarily present in each drawing Figure. In addition, positional terms such as “upper,” “lower,” “side,” “top,” “bottom,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” etc. refer to the modular fence system or its components when in the orientation shown in the drawings. The skilled artisan will recognize that the modular fence system or its components can assume different orientations when in use.

Modular fence systems, and methods of using such modular fence systems, have been developed. The systems and methods are intended to allow convenient construction of a fence on even or uneven ground without the need for specialized tools or custom components. As used herein, “ground” may refer to any indoor or outdoor ground surface such as the earth, a floor, a deck, or a concrete slab. In some embodiments, the modular fence system may be configured to be installed on a surface having a 5°, 10°, 15°, 20°, 25°, or even 30° slope.

Referring now to the modular fence system of FIGS. 1-8, a modular fence system 10 may include a first vertical post 12 and a second vertical post 14. The term “vertical post” may be interchanged with the term “stanchion.” Referring to FIG. 1, the first and second vertical posts 12, 14 may each include a top end 16, a bottom end 18 opposite the top end 16, and sidewalls 20 extending from the top end 16 to the bottom end 18. In some embodiments, the bottom end 18 may be configured to extend into the ground. In other embodiments, the bottom end 18 may be configured to secure to the ground without extending into the ground. For example, the bottom end 18 may be configured to fasten to a concrete slab or other ground surface. The first and second vertical posts 12, 14 may also comprise a plurality of holes 22 between the top end 16 and bottom end 18 for receiving fasteners 24. The plurality of holes 22 in the first and second vertical posts 12, 14 may be prefabricated and may be threaded to receive the fasteners 24, which may be cooperatively threaded with the threaded holes 22. The first and second vertical posts 12, 14 may be hollow or solid. In embodiments where the first and second vertical posts 12, 14 are solid, the plurality of holes 22 may extend completely through the first and second vertical posts 12, 14. In embodiments where the first and second vertical posts 12, 14 are hollow, the plurality of holes 22 may extend laterally through the posts 12, 14 such that the holes are present in each lateral side of the posts 12, 14.

The first and second vertical posts 12, 14 may be any desirable shape. In some embodiments, the first and second vertical posts 12, 14 have a rectangular horizontal plane profile. In other embodiments, the first and second vertical posts 12, 14 may include a circular horizontal plane profile. The first and second vertical posts 12, 14 may be formed from or constructed of any suitable material, such as a polymer, a recycled polymer, aluminum, steel, or a combination thereof. The first and second vertical posts 12, 14 may also be anodized, powder coated, galvanized, or a combination thereof to prevent corrosion thereof.

When installed on sloped terrain, one of the first and second vertical posts 12, 14 may be disposed on the ground higher than the other of the first and second vertical posts 12, 14. In some embodiments, the modular fence system 10 and its components are configured to conform to the ground slope (e.g., sloped terrain) without requiring any significant modification. In this regard, the first and second vertical posts 12, 14 may be interchangeable, or sufficiently identical, such that the modular fence system 10 may be constructed with the first and second vertical posts 12, 14 on either end of the modular fence system 10 or with either the first and second vertical posts 12, 14 disposed higher or lower than the other post without a material decrease in functionality of the modular fence system 10.

The modular fence system 10 includes a first horizontal support 26 configured to extend between and secure to the first and second vertical posts 12, 14. Referring to FIG. 2, the first horizontal support 26 may include a first end 28 and a second end 30 opposite the first end 28. The first and second ends 28, 30 may be securable to the first and second vertical posts 12, 14. On the first and second ends 28, 30, the first horizontal support 26 may comprise a first tab 32 and a second tab 34 each extending out from the first or second end 28, 30, as shown in FIG. 3. The first and second tabs 32, 34 may extend parallel to one another. The first and second tabs 32, 34, together with the first or second end 28, 30 from which they extend, may form a U-shaped cavity 35 configured to receive one of the first and second vertical posts 12, 14. Each of the first and second tabs 32, 34 may comprise an aperture 36 configured to receive the fastener 24 as discussed elsewhere herein. The apertures 36 on the first and second tabs 32, 34 may be configured to align with the plurality of holes 22 on the first and second vertical posts 12, 14. The first horizontal support 26 may be secured to the first and second vertical posts 12, 14 when fasteners 24 are disposed through the apertures 36 in the first and second tabs 32, 34 on the first and second ends 28, 30 and into the first and second vertical posts 12, 14.

Referring to FIG. 3, the apertures 36 in the first and second tabs 32, 34 may be disposed at an aperture distance 38, D_A, from the first or second end 28, 30 of the first horizontal support 26 from which the first and second tabs 32, 34 extend. Referring to FIG. 4, when the first horizontal support 26 is attached to the first and second vertical posts 12, 14, there may be a gap 40 between the first or second vertical post 12, 14 and the first or second end 28, 30 of the first horizontal support 26 that is attached to the first or second vertical post 12, 14. When the first horizontal support 26 is extending orthogonally (in a direction orthogonal to the direction extending between the top end 16 and a bottom end 18 of the first and/or second vertical posts 12, 14) from the first and second vertical posts 12, 14, the gap 40 may include a gap width 42, W_G, as shown in FIG. 4. The ratio of the gap width 42 to the aperture distance

$38,\frac{W_G}{D_A},$

may be greater than or equal to about 0.005, about 0.015, about 0.035, about 0.06, about 0.09, or about 0.13. In some embodiments, W_G/D_A, ranges from about 0.005 to about 0.30 or about 0.015 to about 0.30 or about 0.035 to about 0.30 or about 0.06 to about 0.30 or about 0.09 to about 0.30 or about 0.13 to about 0.30.

The first horizontal support 26 may be configured to secure to the first and second vertical posts 12, 14 when the modular fence system 10 is installed on level or sloped terrain without requiring any modification to the first horizontal support 26. When the modular fence system 10 is installed on level terrain, the first horizontal support 26 may extend orthogonal to each of the first and second vertical posts 12, 14 and level or parallel to the ground. When the modular fence system 10 is installed on sloped ground (e.g., terrain), the first horizontal support 26 may be sloped between the first and second vertical posts 12, 14. The first and second ends 28, 30 of the first horizontal support 26 may be configured to secure to the first and second vertical posts 12, 14 while allowing for variance in the slope of the first horizontal support 26. The ratio of the gap width 42 to the aperture distance 38

$38,\frac{W_G}{D_A},$

may limit the maximum slope of the first horizontal support 26 that the modular fence system 10 can accommodate.

The first horizontal support 26 may also include a first side 44, a second side 46 opposite the first side 44, a top side 48, and a bottom side 50 opposite the top side 48. The first and second sides 44, 46 of the first horizontal support 26 may be configured such that vertical panels 52, discussed elsewhere herein, may be secured to the first or second side 44, 46 of the first horizontal support 26. In some embodiments, the first and second sides 44, 46 of the first horizontal support 26 may be configured such that vertical panels 52 may be secured to both the first and second sides 44, 46 of the first horizontal support 26 in a shadowbox style. In such embodiments, the first horizontal support 26 may include a plurality of holes 54 disposed on the first and second sides 44, 46 that are configured to receive the fastener 24. The plurality of holes 54 on the first and second sides 44, 46 of the first horizontal support 26 may be prefabricated and may be threaded to receive the cooperatively threaded fastener 24. The plurality of holes 54 on the first and second sides 44, 46 of the first horizontal support 26 may be grouped into sets 56 of two holes 54. As shown in FIG. 2, each hole 54 in each set 56 may be closer to the other hole 54 in the same set 56 than to holes 54 in other sets 56 such that the vertical panel 52 may be secured to the first or second side 44, 46 of the first horizontal support 26 by fasteners 24 extending through the vertical panel 52 and into holes 54 in the same set 56.

The modular fence system 10 may also comprise a second horizontal support 58 configured to extend between and secure to the first and second vertical posts 12, 14. In some embodiments, the modular fence system 10 may include a third horizontal support 60 configured to extend between and secure to the first and second vertical posts 12, 14. When the first and second horizontal supports 26, 58 are secured to the first and second vertical posts 12, 14, the second horizontal support 58 may be above or below the first horizontal support 26. When the third horizontal support 60 is also secured to the first and second vertical posts 12, 14, the third horizontal support 60 may be above or below the first and second horizontal supports 26, 58. The second and third horizontal supports 58, 60 may be interchangeable with the first horizontal support 26. In this regard, the second and third horizontal supports 58, 60 may have one or more of the features discussed herein with respect to the first horizontal support 26. When the first, second, and third horizontal supports 26, 58, 60 are interchangeable, the modular fence system may be installed with any of the first, second, and third horizontal supports 26, 58, 60 above or below each other, without a material decrease in functionality of the modular fence system 10. The first horizontal support 26, the second horizontal support 58, and any further horizontal supports (not shown) may be any desirable shape (e.g., in the shape of a rectangular prism), formed from or constructed of any suitable, such as a polymer, a recycled polymer, aluminum, steel, or a combination thereof, formed from sheet metal. In some embodiments, a flattened model of the horizontal supports 26, 58 may be cut from sheet metal and folded to form the horizontal supports 26, 58. The horizontal supports 26, 58 may also be anodized, powder coated, galvanized, or a combination thereof to prevent or reduce corrosion.

Referring to FIG. 5, the vertical panel 52 may include a first vertically elongated slot 62 and a second vertically elongated slot 64 each configured to receive fastener 24 that extends into the first horizontal support 26 to secure the vertical panel 52 to the first horizontal support 26. In some embodiments, the first and second vertically elongated slots 62, 64 may be configured such that each of the first and second vertically elongated slots 62, 64 align with one of the holes 54 in a set 56 on the first or second side 44, 46 of the first horizontal support 26. The first and second vertically elongated slots 62, 64 may be vertically aligned with each other, i.e., disposed horizontally from one another, and may be similar or identical in shape and size.

The vertical panel 52 may be configured to be disposed vertically when the modular fence system 10 is disposed on level or sloped ground without requiring any modification to the vertical panel 52. In other words, the vertical panel 52 may be disposed vertically even when the first horizontal support 26 is sloped between the first and second vertical posts 12, 14. Referring to FIG. 6, each of the first and second vertically elongated slots 62, 64 may comprise a width 66, W_SL, and a height 68, H_SL, which may be greater than the width 66. The first and second vertically elongated slots 62, 64 may be separated by a distance 70, D_SL. The ratio of the height 68 of the first and second vertically elongated slots 62, 64 to the distance 70 between the first and second vertically elongated slots 62,

$64,\frac{H_{\mathrm{SL}}}{D_{\mathrm{SL}}},$

may be greater than or equal to about 0.08, about 0.17, about 0.25, about 0.35, about 0.46, or about 0.57. In some embodiments, H_SL/D_SL ranges from about 0.08 to about 0.50 or about 0.17 to about 1.0 or about 0.25 to about 1.0 or about 0.35 to about 1.0 or about 0.46 to about 1.0 or about 0.57 to about 1.0. The ratio of the height 68 of the first and second vertically elongated slots 62, 64 to the distance 70 between the first and second vertically elongated slots 62,

$64,\frac{H_{\mathrm{SL}}}{D_{\mathrm{SL}}},$

may limit the maximum slope of the first horizontal support 26 that the modular fence system 10 can accommodate while still having the vertical panel 52 be disposed vertically.

In embodiments of the modular fence system 10 having the second horizontal support 58, the vertical panel 52 may include a third vertically elongated slot 72 and a fourth vertically elongated slot 74. The third and fourth vertically elongated slots 72, 74 may each be configured to receive fastener 24 that extends into the second horizontal support 58 to secure the vertical panel 52 to the second horizontal support 58. The third and fourth vertically elongated slots 72, 74 may be disposed above or below the first and second vertically elongated slots 62, 64. The third and fourth vertically elongated slots 72, 74 may be configured to be substantially similar to the first and second vertically elongated slots 62, 64. In this regard, the third and fourth vertically elongated slots 72, 74 may have one or more of the features discussed herein with respect to the first and second vertically elongated slots 62, 64.

In embodiments of the modular fence system 10 having the third horizontal support 60, the vertical panel 52 may include a fifth vertically elongated slot 76 and a sixth vertically elongated slot 78. The fifth and sixth vertically elongated slots 76, 78 may each be configured to receive the fastener 24 that extends into the third horizontal support 60 to secure the vertical panel 52 to the third horizontal support 60. The fifth and sixth vertically elongated slots 76, 78 may be disposed above or below the first and second vertically elongated slots 62, 64 or the third and fourth vertically elongated slots 72, 74. The fifth and sixth vertically elongated slots 76, 78 may be configured to be substantially similar or identical to the first and second vertically elongated slots 62, 64. In this regard, the fifth and sixth vertically elongated slots 76, 78 may have one or more of the features discussed herein with respect to the first and second vertically elongated slots 62, 64. In embodiments having additional horizontal supports, the vertical panel 52 may comprise additional vertically elongated slots.

The vertical panel 52 may be any suitable shape. For example, in some embodiments, the vertical panel 52 may comprise a dog-eared top end 80 to give the appearance of a conventional fence. The vertical panel 52 may also be configured to include a shape that is visually desirable and/or to modify the structural properties of the vertical panel 52, such as the rigidity of the vertical panel 52. In this regard, the vertical panel 52 may include a first securing recess 82, a second securing recess 84, and a first protrusion 86. The first and second vertically elongated slots 62, 64 may be disposed in the first and second securing recesses 82, 84. In some embodiments, the vertical panel 52 further includes a second protrusion 88 extending from the first securing recess 82 oppositely from the first protrusion 86 and a third protrusion 90 extending from the second securing recess 84 oppositely from the first protrusion 86.

Referring to FIGS. 5-7, the vertical panel 52 may also include a first edge 92 extending from the second protrusion 88 oppositely from the first securing recess 82 and a second edge 94 extending from the third protrusion 90 oppositely from the second securing recess 84. The first and second edges 92, 94 may include a hem 96 to prevent the injury to persons or animals. The hem 96 of the first and second edges 92, 94 may be any suitable hem 96. For example, the hem 96 may be an open hem, closed hem, teardrop hem, or rolled hem.

The vertical panel 52 may be formed from or constructed of any suitable material, such as a polymer, a recycled polymer, aluminum, steel, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the vertical panel 52 may be formed from sheet metal. In such embodiments, a flattened model of the vertical panel 52 may be cut from sheet metal and folded to form the vertical panel 52. The vertical panel 52 may also be anodized, powder coated, galvanized, or a combination thereof to prevent corrosion.

In some embodiments, the modular fence system 10 may include a plurality of vertical panels 52. The plurality of vertical panels 52 may be interchangeable with each other to allow for easier and quicker installation of the modular fence system 10. In other words, the plurality of vertical panels 52 may be identical or substantially similar to each other such that the plurality of vertical panels 52 may be used in place of each other without a material decrease in functionality of the modular fence system 10. In this regard, some or all of the plurality of vertical panels 52 may have one or more of the features discussed herein.

The modular fence system 10 may include the plurality of fasteners 24 for securing together the various components of the modular fence system 10. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of fasteners 24 in the modular fence system 10 are identical to facilitate quick and easy construction of the modular fence system 10. In other embodiments, different fasteners 24 may be used to secure together different components of the modular fence system 10. For example, a first plurality of fasteners 24 may be used to secure the vertical panel 52 to the first horizontal support 26 and, if present, the second and third horizontal supports 58, 60. In the same example, a second plurality of fasteners 24 may be used to secure the first horizontal support 26 and, if present, the second and third horizontal supports 58, 60, to the first and second vertical posts 12, 14. In some embodiments, the fasteners 24 are bolts or screws. The fasteners 24 may also be self-drilling screws.

Referring to FIG. 8, the fasteners 24 may include a head 98 and a shaft 100. The fastener head 98 may include a flange 102 having a flange width 104. The flange width 104 may be greater than the slot width 66 of the first and second vertically elongated slots 62, 64. In some embodiments, the shaft 100 may be threaded. The shaft 100 may include a shaft width 106, W_FS. The shaft width 106 may be less than width of the first and second vertically elongated slots 62, 64. The fasteners 24 and the first and second vertically elongated slots 62, 64 may be configured such that the ratio of the difference between the width 66 of the first and second vertically elongated slots 62, 64 and the shaft width 106 of the fastener 24 to the distance 70 between the first and second vertically elongated slots 62,

$64,\frac{W_{\mathrm{SL}}-W_{\mathrm{FS}}}{D_{\mathrm{SL}}},$

may be greater than or equal to about 0.002, about 0.008, about 0.017, about 0.03, about 0.052, or about 0.077. In some embodiments,

$\frac{W_{\mathrm{SL}}-W_{\mathrm{FS}}}{D_{\mathrm{SL}}}$

ranges from about 0.002 to about 0.21 or about 0.008 to about 0.21 or about 0.017 to about 0.21 or about 0.03 to about 0.21 or about 0.052 to about 0.21 or about 0.077 to about 0.21. The ratio of the difference between the width 66 of the first and second vertically elongated slots 62, 64 and the shaft width 106 of the fastener 24 to the distance 70 between the first and second vertically elongated slots 62,

$64,\frac{W_{\mathrm{SL}}-W_{\mathrm{FS}}}{D_{\mathrm{SL}}},$

may limit the maximum slope of the first horizontal support 26 that the modular fence system 10 can accommodate while allow for while still having the vertical panel 52 be disposed vertically.

The modular fence system 10 may comprise a plurality of modules 108 each including the first vertical post 12, the second vertical post 14, the first horizontal support 26, the vertical panel 52, and the plurality of fasteners 24. In some embodiments, each module 108 may also include one or more of the second horizontal support 58, the third horizontal support 60, and the plurality of vertical panels 52. Each module 108 may be connected to another module 108 to elongate the modular fence system 10 when installed with the ground. In some embodiments, some components may be part of different modules 108 simultaneously. For example, the first or second vertical post 12, 14 of one module 108 may also serve as the first or second vertical post 12, 14 of an adjacent module 108.

The number of modules 108 in the modular fence system 10 may be determined by the desired length and shape of the modular fence system 10. Each of the modules 108 of the modular fence system 10 may be interchangeable such that the modules 108 may be connected in any order without a material decrease in functionality of the modular fence system 10. For example, if the modular fence system 10 is installed on both level and sloped terrain, any of the modules 108 may be disposed on the level terrain or the sloped terrain. The first vertical post 12, second vertical post 14, first horizontal support 26, second horizontal support 58, third horizontal support 60, and/or vertical panels 52 of each module 108 may also be interchangeable with the first vertical post 12, second vertical post 14, first horizontal support 26, second horizontal support 58, third horizontal support 60, and/or vertical panels 52 of other modules 108 to facilitate quick and easy installation of the modular fence system 10.

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary method of installing the modular fence system 10 of the present disclosure. Different embodiments of these exemplary methods may be implemented depending on the particular implementation details of the modular fence system 10. Furthermore, the order in which the steps of the method are presented is not intended to imply a required sequence for the steps. Rather, the steps may be implemented in a different sequence and/or some or all of the steps may be implemented simultaneously.

As shown in FIG. 9, the method of installing the modular fence system 10 may include the steps of providing the first vertical post 12, the second vertical post 14, the first horizontal support 26 configured to extend between and secure to the first and second vertical posts 12, 14, the first vertical panel 52 comprising the first vertically elongated slot 62 and the second vertically elongated slot 64, and the first plurality of fasteners 24 each configured to extend through one of the first and second vertically elongated slots 62, 64 into the first horizontal support 26 to secure the first vertical panel 52 to the first horizontal support 26 (step 900). The method may include the step of securing the first and second vertical posts 12, 14 to the ground (step 910). The method also includes the step of securing the first horizontal support 26 to the first and second vertical posts 12, 14 (step 920). The method may further include the step of securing the first vertical panel 52 to the first horizontal support 26 by inserting fasteners 24 from the first plurality of fasteners 24 through each of the first and second vertically elongated slots 62, 64 and into the first horizontal support 26 (step 930).

In some embodiments of the systems and methods disclosed herein, the first and second vertical posts 12, 14 may include one or more of the features discussed herein. For example, the first and second vertical posts 12, 14 may include the top end 16, the bottom end 18 opposite the top end 16, and the sidewalls 20 extending from the top end 16 to the bottom end 18. In some implementations, the step of securing the first and second vertical posts 12, 14 to the ground may include inserting the bottom end 18 of the first and second vertical posts 12, 14 into a hole in the ground or driving the bottom end 18 of the first and second vertical posts 12, 14 into the ground. In other embodiments, the step of securing the first and second vertical posts 12, 14 to the ground may include securing the first and second vertical posts 12, 14 to the ground with the fastener 24.

The method may further include the step of providing the second horizontal support 58 configured to extend between and secure to the first and second vertical posts 12, 14 and, in some implementations, the third horizontal support 60, configured to extend between and secure to the first and second vertical posts 12, 14. In such implementations, the method may also include the step of securing the second horizontal support 58 and, if present, the third horizontal support 60 to the first and second vertical posts 12, 14. Additional horizontal supports may also be provided and secured to the first and second vertical posts 12, 14. The first, second, and third horizontal supports 26, 58, 60 as well as any additional horizontal supports may be interchangeable.

The first, second, and third horizontal supports 26, 58, 60 may include one or more of the features discussed herein. For example, the first horizontal support 26 may comprise the first end 28, the first tab 32 extending out from the first end 28, and the second tab 34 extending out from the first end 28, wherein the first tab 32, second tab 34, and first end 28 are configured to form the U-shaped cavity 35 configured to receive the first vertical post 12. In such implementations, the step of securing the first horizontal support 26 to the first and second vertical posts 12, 14 may include inserting the first vertical post 12 into the U-shaped cavity 35. Further, each of the first and second tabs 32, 34 of the first horizontal support 26 may comprise the aperture 36. The method may further include the step of providing a second plurality of the fasteners 24 configured to extend through the apertures 36 in the first or second tab 32, 34 and into the first vertical post 12 to secure the first horizontal support 26 to the first vertical post 12. In such implementations, the step of securing the first horizontal support 26 to the first vertical post 12 includes inserting fasteners 24 from the second plurality of fasteners 24 through the apertures 36 on the first and second tabs 32, 34 and into the first vertical post 12.

In some implementations, the apertures 36 in the first and second tabs 32, 34 are disposed at the aperture distance 38, D_A, from the first end 28 of the first horizontal support 26. The first horizontal support 26 may configured such that the first horizontal support 26 and one of the first vertical post 12 or second vertical post 14 form the gap 40 when the first horizontal support 26 is secured to and extends orthogonally from one of the first vertical post 12 or second vertical post 14. The gap 40 may include the gap width 42, W_G. In such implementations, the ratio of the gap width 42 to the aperture distance

$38,\frac{W_G}{D_A},$

may be greater than or equal to 0.06.

The step of providing the first vertical panel 52 may include the step of providing a plurality of vertical panels 52. The plurality of vertical panels 52 may include one or more of the features discussed herein. For example, each of the first and second vertically elongated slots 62, 64 on the first vertical panel 52 may include the height 68, H_SL, and may be separated by the distance 70, D_SL. The ratio of the height 68 of the first and second vertically elongated slots 62, 64 to the distance 70 of the first and second vertically elongated slots 62, 64,

$64,\frac{H_{\mathrm{SL}}}{D_{\mathrm{SL}}},$

may be greater than or equal to 0.36. As another example, each of the first and second vertically elongated slots 62, 64 on the first vertical panel 52 may include the width 66, W_SL, and each of the first plurality of fasteners 24 may comprise the shaft 100 having the shaft width 106, W_FS. The ratio of the difference in the slot width 66 and the shaft width 106 to the distance between the first and second vertically elongated slots 62,

$64,\frac{W_{\mathrm{SL}}-W_{\mathrm{FS}}}{D_{\mathrm{SL}}},$

may be greater than or equal to 0.03.

In some implementations, the method may include providing the first vertical panel 52 including the first securing recess 82, the second securing recess 84, and the first protrusion 86 extending between the first and second securing recesses 82, 84. The first vertically elongated slot 62 may be disposed in the first securing recess 82, and the second vertically elongated slot 64 may be disposed in the second securing recess 84. The first vertical panel 52 may also include the second protrusion 88 extending from the first securing recess 82 oppositely from the first protrusion 86 and the third protrusion 90 extending from the second securing recess 84 oppositely from the first protrusion 86. The first vertical panel 52 may further include the first edge 92 extending from the second protrusion 88 oppositely from the first securing recess 82 and the second edge 94 extending from the third protrusion 90 oppositely from the second securing recess 84. The first and second edges 92, 94 may comprise the hem 96, which may be an open hem. The first vertical panel 52 may also include the dog-eared top end 80.

The method may also include steps for securing the first vertical panel 52 to the second horizontal support 58. In such implementations, the first vertical panel 52 may include the third vertically elongated slot 72 and the fourth vertically elongated slot 74. Each of the first plurality of fasteners 24 may be configured to extend through one of the third and fourth vertically elongated slots 72, 74 and into the second horizontal support 58 to secure the first vertical panel 52 to the second horizontal support 58. The step of securing the first vertical panel 52 to the second horizontal support 58 may include inserting fasteners 24 from the first plurality of fasteners 24 through each of the third and fourth vertically elongated slots 72, 74 and into the second horizontal support 58. In some implementations, the first vertical panel 52 may include additional vertically elongated slots, and the method may also include steps for securing the first vertical panel 52 to additional horizontal supports.

In implementations having a plurality of vertical panels 52, the method may include steps for securing the plurality of vertical panels 52 to the first horizontal support 26, and, if present, the second horizontal support 58. In such implementations, each of the plurality of vertical panels 52 may include the first vertically elongated slot 62, the second vertically elongated slot 64, the third vertically elongated slot 72, and/or the fourth vertically elongated slot 74. The step of securing the first vertical panel 52 to the first horizontal support 26 may include securing the plurality of vertical panels 52 to the first horizontal support 26 by inserting fasteners 24 from the first plurality of fasteners 24 through each of the first and second vertically elongated slots 62, 64 on each of the plurality of vertical panels 52 and into the first horizontal support 26. The step of securing the first vertical panel 52 to the second horizontal support 58 may include securing the plurality of vertical panels 52 to the second horizontal support 58 by inserting fasteners 24 from the first plurality of fasteners 24 through each of the third and fourth vertically elongated slots 72, 74 on each of the plurality of vertical panels 52 and into the second horizontal support 58.

The method may include steps for attaching the plurality of vertical panels 52 to the first and second horizontal supports 26, 58 in a shadowbox style. In such implementations, the first and second horizontal supports 26, 58 may include the first side 44 and the second side 46 opposite the first side 44. The step of securing the plurality of vertical panels 52 to the first and second horizontal supports 26, 58 may include securing the plurality of vertical panels 52 to the first and second sides 44, 46 of the first and second horizontal supports 26, 58. The first and second sides 44, 46 may also include a plurality of the holes 54, which may be prefabricated. The plurality of holes 54 may be grouped into sets 56 of two holes 54, and wherein each hole 54 in each set 56 is closer to the other hole 54 in the same set than to holes 54 in other sets 56. In such implementations, the steps of securing the plurality of vertical panels 52 to the first and second horizontal supports 26, 58 may include inserting fasteners 24 from the first plurality of fasteners 24 through one of the first, second, third, and fourth vertically elongated slots 72, 74, 76, 78 and into the one of the plurality of holes 54 on the first and second horizontal supports 26, 58.

Although embodiments of the disclosure have been described using specific terms, devices, and methods, such description is for illustrative purposes only. The words are words of description rather than of limitation. It is to be understood that changes and variations may be made by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure, which is set forth in the following claims. It is further noted that any range provided herein provides support and a basis for any subset within that range. Further embodiments of the disclosure contain combinations, or exclusions, of different embodiments described herein.

Thus, although there have been described embodiments of the present invention of a new and useful modular fence system, it is not intended that such references be construed as limitations upon the scope of this invention except as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A modular fence system, comprising: a first vertical post;a second vertical post;a first horizontal support configured to extend between and secure to the first vertical post and the second vertical post;a first vertical panel comprising a first vertically elongated slot and a second vertically elongated slot; anda first plurality of fasteners each configured to extend through one of the first or second vertically elongated slots into the first horizontal support to secure the first vertical panel to the first horizontal support.

2. The modular fence system of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second vertically elongated slots comprises a height, HSL, and are separated by a distance, DSL, and wherein

3. The modular fence system of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second vertically elongated slots comprise a slot width, WSL, wherein each of the first plurality of fasteners comprise a shaft having a shaft width, WFS, and wherein

4. The modular fence system of claim 1, further comprising a second horizontal support configured to extend between and secure to the first vertical post and the second vertical post, wherein the second horizontal support is above or below the first horizontal support when the first and second horizontal supports are secured to the first and second vertical posts.

5. The modular fence system of claim 4, wherein the first vertical panel comprises a third vertically elongated slot and a fourth vertically elongated slot, and wherein each of the first plurality of fasteners are configured to extend through one of the third or fourth vertically elongated slots into the second horizontal support to secure the first vertical panel to the second horizontal support.

6. The modular fence system of claim 5, further comprising a plurality of vertical panels including the first vertical panel, wherein the first and second horizontal supports include a first side and a second side opposite the first side, wherein the first and second sides of the first and second horizontal supports are configured such that vertical panels from the plurality of vertical panels can be secured to both the first and second sides of the first and second horizontal supports.

7. The modular fence system of claim 6, wherein the first and second sides of the first and second horizontal supports comprise a plurality of holes configured to receive the first plurality of fasteners.

8. The modular fence system of claim 7, wherein the plurality of holes are prefabricated holes.

9. The modular fence system of claim 7, wherein the plurality of holes are grouped into sets of two holes, and wherein each hole in each of the set of holes is closer to the other hole in the same set than to holes in other sets.

10. The modular fence system of claim 1, wherein the first horizontal support comprises a first end, a first tab extending out from the first end, and a second tab extending out from the first end, wherein the first end, first tab, and second tab are configured to form a U-shaped cavity configured to receive one of the first or second vertical posts.

11. The modular fence system of claim 10, wherein each of the first tab and second tab comprise an aperture, and wherein the modular fence system comprises a second plurality of fasteners, each of the second plurality of fasteners configured to extend through the apertures in the first tab or second tab and into one of the first and second vertical posts to secure the first horizontal support to one of the first or second vertical posts.

12. The modular fence system of claim 11, wherein the aperture in the first tab and the aperture in the second tab are disposed at an aperture distance, DA, from the first end, wherein the first horizontal support is configured such that the first horizontal support and one of the first and second vertical posts form a gap when the first horizontal support is secured to and extending orthogonally from one of the first or second vertical posts, wherein the gap has a gap width, WG, and wherein

13. The modular fence system of claim 3, wherein each of the first plurality of fasteners comprises a head having a flange and a flange width, and wherein the flange width is greater than the slot width of the first and second vertically elongated slots.

14. A modular fence system, comprising: a first stanchion;a second stanchion;a first horizontal support configured to extend between and secure to the first stanchion and the second stanchion; anda first vertical panel including a first securing recess, a second securing recess, and a first protrusion extending between the first recess and the second securing recess,wherein the first vertical panel is configured to secure to the first horizontal support.

15. The modular fence system of claim 14, wherein the first vertical panel further comprises a second protrusion extending from the first securing recess oppositely from the first protrusion and a third protrusion extending from the second securing recess oppositely from the first protrusion.

16. The modular fence system of claim 15, wherein the first vertical panel further comprises a first edge extending from the second protrusion oppositely from the first securing recess and a second edge extending from the third protrusion oppositely from the second securing recess, and wherein the first and second edges comprise a hem.

17. The modular fence system of claim 16, wherein the hem is an open hem.

18. The modular fence system of claim 14, wherein the first vertical fence panel comprises a dog-eared top end.

19. A method of installing a modular fence system, the method comprising the steps of: providing a first vertical post, a second vertical post, a first horizontal support configured to extend between and secure to the first and second vertical posts, a first vertical panel comprising a first vertically elongated slot and a second vertically elongated slot, and a first plurality of fasteners each configured to extend through one of the first or second vertically elongated slots into the first horizontal support to secure the first vertical panel to the first horizontal support;securing the first and second vertical posts to the ground;securing the first horizontal support to the first and second vertical posts; andsecuring the first vertical panel to the first horizontal support by inserting fasteners from the first plurality of fasteners through each of the first and second vertically elongated slots and into the first horizontal support.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the first horizontal support comprises a first end, a first tab extending out from the first end, and a second tab extending out from the first end, wherein the first end, first tab, and second tab are configured to form a U-shaped cavity configured to receive one of the first vertical post or the second vertical post, and wherein the step of securing the first horizontal support to the first vertical post includes inserting the first vertical post into the U-shaped cavity.