Patent Application
20210381272
The present invention relates to prefabricated modular fencing and, more particularly, to prefabricated modular fencing with advantageously-shaped connectors that interfit with one another between adjacent fence panels.
Fences have been erected in many and varied styles. It is desirable in some applications for fencing to be partially prefabricated off-site, as prefabrication simplifies installation and reduces costs as a result of, for example, economies of scale. Accordingly, prefabricated fencing panels have been provided. Prefabricated fencing includes barrier sections that may be joined, for example serially, and secured to the ground so as to result in a fence run, also referred to as a “fence line” (even though the fencing need not reside in a straight linear line), that required reduced assembly labor and time on-site.
Modularity of prefabricated fencing panels is also desirable. Inasmuch as plans may be altered during installation of fencing, or additional fencing may be discovered to be desirable after insulation of an initial run, or later replacement may be desired of a section of a section of fencing damaged after installation, modularity of design allows for easy and aesthetically matching, consistent final results.
The process of erecting a fence, even by the use of prefabricated fencing panels, can be clumsy and less than ideal. For example, the prefabricated fencing panels may be laid out flat on the ground along the intended fence line, but until they are oriented vertically, the aesthetic appearance of the intended fence run cannot be fully assessed. For another example, until the prefabricated fencing panels are oriented vertically along an intended run of fence, the effectiveness of the fencing run in achieving its desired purpose cannot be fully assessed. Still further, until the prefabricated fencing panels are oriented vertically along an intended run of fence, interference with other landscape features, such as trees and bushes, cannot be fully observed, considered, and thereby accommodated. For these and for many other reasons, it is desirable when erecting a fence using prefabricated fencing panels to stand each fencing panel vertically in what is at least preliminarily thought to be its final location before deciding that, indeed, such location should be finalized by securing the fencing to the ground or, instead, deciding that further location adjustment is preferred. However, the known prefabricated fencing panels cannot be stood vertically on their own but instead each one must be laboriously, tediously propped up with rods or boards from the sides, one by one, or clamped together, or other cumbersome arrangement. It would, accordingly, be desirable for prefabricated fencing panels to be able to be interfitted preliminarily with one another in a vertical orientation with minimal or no propping, and to be able to be easily disengaged from one another and moved during installation if the location of the fencing run is decided to be changed.
The fencing products previously known do not ideally address the foregoing concerns. The present invention relates to an improvement upon the known systems and methods for prefabricated fencing panels and provides distinct advantages over the conventional systems and methods.
In response to the discussed difficulties and problems encountered before, a new prefabricated modular fencing with advantageously-shaped connectors has been discovered.
In accordance with certain aspects of certain embodiments of the present technology, a prefabricated modular fencing is provided. The fencing includes a fence panel with a first end and an opposing second end. A first connector is provided, the first connector residing outboard the fence panel at the first end. A second connector is also provided, the second connector residing outboard the fence panel at the second end. Each of the first and second connectors has an upper side and an opposing lower side, and one of a concavity and a convexity on the upper side and the other of a concavity and a convexity on the lower side. The concavity may be sized complementary to the convexity and may have therethrough a bore, the bore defined through the concavity and convexity and sized to receive a post.
In particular embodiments, each concavity may be a smooth frustoconical. Certain configurations provide for the panel to be one or more of vinyl, steel, aluminum, wood, and chain link. In some examples, the panel includes at least a horizontal rail and plural vertical pickets. Individual forms may further include a post interfitted through the bore of the first connector and, optionally, attached at one end to a pointed stake. The panel may be rectangular with selective illustrations, but in others it may be of any desirable shape, including of irregular geometry.
In accordance with additional aspects of other embodiments of the present technology, a prefabricated modular fencing kit is provided that includes a fencing panel. The fencing panel may have a first end and an opposing second end. It may also include first and second connectors residing at the first end at a first distance apart, and third and fourth connectors residing at the second end at a second distance apart. Each of the first, second, third, and fourth connectors may have an upper side and an opposed lower side, each upper side being one of a concavity and a convexity and each lower side being the other of a concavity and a convexity. Each of the concavities may define therethrough a bore having a minimum width. A post is also provided, the post having a length greater than the first and second heights and having a maximum width that is smaller than the minimum width of the bore. Additionally and/or alternatively, in various embodiments one or more of the following aspects may also be included:
In accordance with yet additional aspects of other embodiments of the present technology, a prefabricated modular fencing system comprising first and second fence panels is provided. The first panel may have opposing first and second side ends, the first side end carrying a first connector and a second connector, the first and second connectors residing outboard of the first fence panel. The second fence panel may have opposing third and fourth side ends, the third side end carrying a third connector and a fourth connector residing outboard of the second fence panel. The first, second, third, and fourth connectors may have upper sides defining one of a concavity and a convexity and lower sides defining the other of a concavity and a convexity, as well as defining a bore within each convexity. The convexity of the third connector may be complementary with and reside within the concavity of the first connector, and the convexity of the fourth connector may be complementary with and reside within the concavity of the second connector. A post may be disposed through the bores of the first, second, third, and fourth connectors. Additionally and/or alternatively, in various embodiments one or more of the following aspects may also be included:
In certain applications, this method may be performed by undertaking the listed steps in the order disclosed above; in other applications, the method may be performed by undertaking the listed steps in a different order.
The foregoing description sets forth broadly certain features of the present invention so that the detailed description herein below may be better understood, and so that the present contributions to the art from this invention may be better appreciated.
Other advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, embodiments of the present invention are disclosed.
The details of the present invention, both as to its structure and operation, can be understood in reference to the detailed description below in combination with the drawings, in which:
It should be noted that the drawings discussed above and below are not to scale in all instances, but may have exaggerated dimensions in some respects to illustrate one or more of the principles of the invention.
Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. The embodiments of the present invention described below are not exhaustive nor do they limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Rather, the described embodiments are chosen so that others skilled in the art to which this invention pertains may appreciate and understand the principles and practice of the present invention.
Selected combinations of aspects of the disclosed technology correspond to a plurality of different embodiments of the present invention. It should be noted that each of the exemplary embodiments presented and discussed herein should not insinuate limitations of the present subject matter. Features or steps illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used in combination with aspects of another embodiment to yield yet further embodiments. Additionally, certain features may be interchanged with similar devices or features not expressly mentioned which perform the same or similar function.
It is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. The term “prefabricated” means that two or more components have been joined, attached, or assembled beforehand. The term “concavity” refers to a hollow or projection inward. The term “convexity” refers to a projection outward. The term “complementary” means “can fit together”; thus, a concavity may be “complementary” to a convexity if the convexity can fit together in the concavity because the shape of the concavity generally or sufficiently matches the shape of the convexity. The term “horizontal” refers to an orientation generally parallel to the horizon, and the term “vertical” refers to an orientation perpendicular to horizontal and generally perpendicular to the horizon. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the term “carrying” and variations thereof is used broadly and encompasses direct and indirect connections. As used herein, the term “upper” and like terms refer to a direction relatively further from the ground to which the fencing is, or is to be, secured. The term “lower,” “below,” and like terms refer to the direction opposite “upper,” a direction relatively closer to the ground to which the fencing is, or is to be, secured.
Examples of prefabricated fencing are included in the disclosures of U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,995,059; 9,689,177; 9,027,909; 8,931,761; 8,833,737; 8,152,141; 7,677,534; and 7,676,926, and in U. S. Published Apps. 2019/0226230; 2010/0133492; and 2007/0267616, the full disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
A prefabricated modular fencing with advantageously-shaped connectors is provided. The following aspects may be referenced:
The prefabricated modular fencing may include a fencing panel such as first panel 10, connectors such as first connector 46 and second connector 48, a post 74 and a stake 76, and one or more gate panels such as a first gate panel 96 and second gate panel 98.
First panel 10 may be of a rectangular shape in some embodiments. However, in other embodiments first panel 10 may be of other configurations. Along a particular fencing line, a first panel 10 may be of a particular configuration such as, for example, rectangular and an adjacent, second panel 12 may be of the same particular configuration or second panel 12 may be of a different configuration such as, for example, trapezoidal, as desired by the user.
The fence panels, such as first panel 10, may be configured of vinyl, steel, aluminum, wood, or chain link, or any combination of those or other materials.
First panel 10 may be understood to have a first end 14 and an opposite second end 16, first end 14 and second end 16 residing at opposite lateral ends along the length of first panel 10.
In some configurations, first panel 10 may include a first rail 18, a second rail 20, and in certain examples also a third rail 22, first rail 18, second rail 20, and third rail 22 disposed generally horizontally and generally parallel to the length of first panel 10. Likewise, in some embodiments, fencing panel 10 may include one or more pickets, for example first picket 34 and second picket 36, extending generally vertically between first rail 18 and second rail 20.
One or more connectors, such as first connector 46 and second connector 48, may be included with this prefabricated modular fencing, carried by a fence panel such as first panel 10. Each connector, such as first connector 46 and second connector 48, may be understood to have an upper side 56 and an opposing lower side 58. Each connector, such as first connector 46 and second connector 48, may have one of a concavity 57 and a convexity 59 on the upper side and the other of a concavity 57 and a convexity 59 on the lower side, and define therethrough a bore 54. The bore 54 may be sized to receive therethrough a post, such as post 74. In some embodiments, the concavities and convexities may be frustoconical and, in certain applications, smooth frustoconicals. In other embodiments the concavities and convexities may include one or more facets, such as a facet 60; use of such facets may facilitate positioning of adjacent fencing panels, such as first panel 10 and second panel 12, at advantageous predetermined angular relationships to one another by alignment of a facet, such as facet 60, on a convexity 59 with a facet in a concavity 57 into which the convexity 59 is interfitted.
Multiple such connectors, such as first connector 46a, second connector 48a, third connector 50a, and fourth connector 52a, may be carried upon and reside outboard of first end 14 and second end 16, two or more to each side. (The use of a suffix “a” with a component designation signifies that the component exists as to a first panel 10, and the use of a suffix “b” with a component designation signifies that the component exists as to a second panel 12. Thus, for example, “first connector 46a” signifies that the first connector 46 exists as to a first panel 10, while, for example, “first connector 46b” signifies that the first connector 46 exists as to a second panel 12.)
In some applications, multiple panels, including panels 10 and 12, will be interfitted together to form a completed fence line. In those applications, first panel 10 may carry first connector 46a and second connector 48a upon first end 14a, first connector 46a and second connector 48a being expected and designed to interfit with third connector 50b and fourth connector 52b of a second panel 12. First connector 46a and second connector 48a would have concavities 57 facing in a first direction, and third connector 50b and fourth connector 52b of second panel 12 would have complementary convexities 59 facing in the same first direction. Moreover, first connector 46a and second connector 48a would be dimensioned at such a first distance from the top and bottom of first panel 10, and third connector 50b and fourth connector 52b would dimensioned at such a second distance from the top and bottom of second panel 12 that, when first connector 46a and second connector 48a are interfitted with third connector 50b and fourth connector 52b, respectively, first panel 10 and second panel 12 will be aligned and even, once first panel 10 and second panel 12 were joined as described in this paragraph. In this example, it is only recognized that the concavity 57 of first connector 46a be complementary to the convexity 59 of third connector 50b, and that the concavity 57 of second connector 48a be complementary to the convexity 59 of fourth connector 52b; the concavity 57 of first connector 46a may be different than the concavity of second connector 48a. In other applications, it may desirable that the concavities of first connector 46, second connector 48, third connector 50, and fourth connector 52 be identical, and that the convexities of first connector 46, second connector 48, third connector 50, and fourth connector 52 be identical.
For another example, a first panel 10 may carry first connector 46a and second connector 48a upon first end 14a, and third connector 50a and fourth connector 52a on second end 16a. In this example, first connector 46a and second connector 48a may reside a first distance apart, and third connector 50a and fourth connector 52a may reside a second distance apart. In particular embodiments, the first distance may equal the second distance, but need not in all embodiments. Still further, second connector 48a may reside closer to the bottom of first panel 10 than does fourth connector 52a. Similarly, a second panel 12 may carry first connector 46b and second connector 48b upon first end 14b, and third connector 50b and fourth connector 52b on second end 16b. In this example, first connector 46b and second connector 48b may reside the first distance apart, and third connector 50b and fourth connector 52b may reside the second distance apart. Still further, second connector 48b may reside closer to the bottom of second panel 12 than does fourth connector 52b. So configured, the convexity 59a of first connector 46a of first panel 10 would be positioned to be disposed in the concavity 57b of third connector 50b of second panel 12, and the convexity 59a of second connector 48a of first panel 10 would be positioned to be disposed in the concavity 57b of fourth connector 52b of second panel 12, yet if the relative spacings of the connectors 46a, 50b, 48a and 52b as to the bottoms and/or tops of, respectively, first panel 10 and second panel 12 were predetermined accordingly, first panel 10 and second panel 12 would be aligned and even once first panel 10 and second panel 12 were joined as described in this paragraph.
The preceding examples depict embodiments in which two connectors reside on each of first end 14 and second end 16, but the present technology is not limited to such a count and these examples are offered for illustration only. Other examples may include a single connector on each of first end 14 and second end 16, while still other examples may include three or more connectors on each of first end 14 and second end 16, as circumstances may suggest to be desirable and/or advantageous.
The connectors, such as first connector 46, may be fabricated from vinyl, steel, aluminum, plastic, composite, or other material. They may be carried by a panel, such as first panel 10, by weldment, adhesive, press fit engagement, mechanical fasteners such as screws and/or bolts, or other methods of connection.
A post and stake, such as post 74 and stake 76, are also included in the present invention. Post 74 is a linear member, fabricated of vinyl, steel, aluminum, wood, wrought iron, plastics, composites, or any combination of those or other materials. Post 74 is sized such that its greatest width is less than the minimum width of any bore 54 through a connector, such as first connector 46. So configured, post 74 may be interfitted through a bore 54 of a connector, such as first connector 46.
Post 74 may be inserted at its lower end into the ground upon which the present fencing is installed. Optionally, or alternatively, Post 74 may be attached at one end to stake 76. Stake 76 may be a separate member from post 74. Stake 76 may include a second socket 94 configured for receipt therein of the lower end of post 74. Alternatively, stake 76 may include a projection 89, projection 89 extending into first socket 92 of post 74 when stake 76 and post 74 are joined.
Post 74 may have a length greater than the separation between any two connectors through which it is to be disposed, such as first connector 46 and second connector 48, carried by a single end, such as end 14, of a fence panel, such as first panel 10.
Two connectors, such as first connector 46 and second connector 48, carried by a single end, such as first end 14, of a fence panel, such as first panel 10, may be interfitted respectively with two other connectors, such as third connector 50 and fourth connector 52 carried by a single end, such as second end 16, of another fence panel, such as second panel 12. The first panel 10 may be disposed upright at a first tentative final location and the second panel 20 may be disposed upright at a second tentative final location. The first panel 10 and the second panel 12 may be maintained in upright positions because of the interfitting of the convexity 59 or the concavity 57 of connector 46 with its complement concavity 57 or convexity 59 of connector 50, and interfitting either the convexity 59 or the concavity 57 of connector 48 with its complement concavity 57 or convexity 59 of connector 52, and rotating, either slightly or more than slightly as circumstances may suggest, first panel 10 relative to second panel 12 about the axis formed by the bores 54 of first connector 46, second connector 48, third connector 50, and fourth connector 52, to provide an angle C between first panel 10 and second panel 12 that is not 180°. Angle C may be understood as an angle measurement in a plane generally parallel to the ground upon which first panel 10 and second panel 12 are disposed; thus, for example, if first panel 10 and second panel 12 are both planar and their connectors have been interfitted as herein described, angle C is the angle between such two planes. So arranged, minimal or no support or bracing to the side(s) of either first panel 10 or second panel 12 would be needed to maintain first panel 10 and second panel 20 in their respective tentative final locations. If the first and second tentative final locations are to be changed, either or both locations may be adjusted to respective definite final locations, with minimal or no support or bracing to the side(s) of either first panel 10 or second panel 12. When the ultimate desired locations of first panel 10 and second panel 12 are decided, stake 76 may be driven into the ground after having been inserted through the bores 54 of interfitted connectors 46 with 50 and 48 with 52, and optionally attached to stake 76. Thus, two fence panels, such as first panel 10 and second panel 12, may be joined to construct a fence run. It will be recognized, as well, that, so configured, first panel 10 may be rotated relative to second panel 12 about post 74.
Gate panels, such as one or more of first gate panel 96 and second gate panel 98, may also be included in the subject invention. Gate panels 96, 98 may be of a rectangular shape in some embodiments. However, in other embodiments they may be of other configurations, either to follow the appearance and configuration of first fence panel 10 and second fence panel 12 or, if desired, to contrast with the appearance and configuration of first fence panel 10 and second fence panel 12.
Gate panels 96, 98 may be configured of vinyl, steel, aluminum, wood, or chain link, or any combination of those or other materials.
First gate panel 96 may be understood to have opposite ends. To join with a fence panel 10, gate panel 96 may carry first gate ring 64 and second gate ring 66 upon a single end side, to receive therethrough a post 74 that is also received through connectors 50 and 52 carried by, for example, the second end 16 of fence panel 10. So configured, gate panel 96 may be rotated relative to first panel 10 about post 74.
The details of the present invention may be further understood with reference to the figures.
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Embodiments of the prefabricated modular fencing disclosed herein may be constructed in many ways. One example of such construction includes the steps of providing a first and a second fencing panel 10, 12, respectively, with each panel having opposed side ends 14, 16. Upper and lower connectors 46, 48, respectively, are carried outboard the first end 14 and upper and lower connectors 50, 52, respectively, are carried outboard the second end 16. Each of the connectors 46, 48, 50, and 52 have an upper side and an opposing lower side, with one of a concavity 57 and a convexity 59 on the upper side and the other of a concavity 57 and a convexity 59 on the lower side, and defining a bore extending through each connector. The first panel 10 may be disposed upright at a first tentative final location. The second panel 20 may be disposed upright at a second tentative final location. The first panel 10 and the second panel 12 may be maintained in their respective upright positions by interfitting either the convexity 59 or the concavity 57 of connector 46 with its complement concavity 57 or convexity 59 or connector 50, and interfitting either the convexity 59 or the concavity 57 of connector 48 with its complement concavity 57 or convexity 59 or connector 52, thereby releasably connecting first panel 10 and second panel 12, with minimal or no support or bracing to the side of either first panel 10 or second panel 12 by slightly rotating first panel 10 relative to second panel 12 to provide an angle C between first panel 10 and second panel 12 that is not 180°. If the first and second tentative final locations are determined to be undesirable, for either or both of aesthetic or functional reasons, either or both locations may be adjusted to respective definite final locations, with minimal or no support or bracing to the side of either first panel 10 or second panel 12. First panel 10 and second panel 12 thus also may preliminarily be held together without insertion of post 74, due to the interfitting of connectors 46, 50 and 48, 52. The process of adjusting the tentative final locations of first panel 10 and second panel 12 may be repeated multiple times until satisfactory final positions are achieved. Stake 76 may then be driven into the ground at the location by the interfitting either the convexity 59 or the concavity 57 of connector 46 with its complement concavity 57 or convexity 59 or connector 50, and interfitting either the convexity 59 or the concavity 57 of connector 48 with its complement concavity 57 or convexity 59 or connector 52, and post 74 may then be inserted through the bore 54 of interfitted connectors 46 with 50 and 48 with 52, and attached to stake 76.
Thus, a new prefabricated modular fencing with advantageously-shaped connectors has been provided that allows the standing of each fencing panel vertically in a tentative final location before deciding that, indeed, such location should be finalized by securing the fencing to the ground or, instead, deciding that further location adjustment is needed. The prefabricated fencing panels can be stood vertically on their own without propping up with rods or boards from the sides or clamped together. The prefabricated fencing panels are able to be interfitted preliminarily with one another in a vertical orientation with minimal propping, and to be able to be disengaged from one another and moved during installation if the location of the fencing run is determined to need change.
Detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, while various embodiments and examples of this invention have been described above, these descriptions are given for purposes of illustration and explanation, and not limitation. Variations, changes, modifications, and departures from the systems and methods disclosed above may be adopted without departure from the spirit and scope of this invention. Moreover, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes and substitutions may be made to the foregoing description of preferred embodiments and examples without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, which is defined by the appended claims.
Further, the purpose of the Abstract is to enable the various patent offices and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The Abstract is not intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.
This application claims the benefit of priority of U. S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/035,999, filed on Jun. 8, 2020, which is incorporated herein in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63035999 | Jun 2020 | US |
