Patent Application
20240360690
The invention relates to fences. More particularly, the invention relates to fence panels constructed of composite, polymer or other material, wherein the fence panels are provided with anti-warping structure.
The use of fences is widespread. Fences are available in various materials and configurations to meet the needs of consumers. For example, common fence types for residential or light commercial use include chain link fence and picket fence. However, variations of these types or configurations of fences are available to provide aesthetic alternatives for consumers. Some fence variants provide fence panels or other structure that may be placed in a fence frame in a horizontal or vertical configuration.
A panel that is installed in a fence will experience differential heating over the panel body, i.e., the sun facing side will be heated more than the shade facing side of the panel. Consequently, a panel will tend to bow towards the sun facing side. Depending on the material and the size of the panel, such bowing may be noticeable.
The invention relates to warp resistant fence panels, such as horizontal or vertical panels, that are constructed of a polymer, such as PVC or other polymers. The invention also relates to a fence constructed of such panels.
In one embodiment, a warp resistant fence panel of the invention has a reinforcing structure molded into the fence panel. In one embodiment the reinforcing structure is an extruded aluminum member. In one embodiment, the reinforcing structure defines an internal cavity for allowing the dissipation of heat. In one embodiment, the reinforcing structure is ⅓ the total thickness of the fence panel thereby allowing for ⅓ of the total thickness being comprised of polymer on each side of the reinforcing structure.
In greater detail, the fence of the invention may include a frame having vertical and horizontal members. A fence panel may be received within the frame.
The fence panel may have a reinforcing structure having a first side, a second side, a first end, a second end, a first edge and a second edge. A distance between the first side and the second side defines a width, and a distance between the first edge and the second edge defines a length. The fence panel may have a panel structure surrounding the reinforcing structure. In one embodiment, the reinforcing structure is metallic, such as extruded aluminum.
The panel structure may have a first side, a second side, a first end, a second end, a first edge and a second edge. The panel structure defines a first side thickness between the first side of the reinforcing structure and the first side of the panel structure. The panel structure defines a second side thickness between the second side of the reinforcing structure and the second side of the panel structure.
In one embodiment, the fence panel is horizontally received within the frame. In a second embodiment, the fence panel is vertically received within the frame.
In one embodiment, the reinforcing structure has a first longitudinal member on the first side and a second longitudinal member on the second side. The reinforcing structure may have cross-members between the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member. The cross-members define a height between the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member. The cross-members, the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member define a plurality of chambers. The chambers provide a pathway for heat to escape the fence panels. Additionally, the presence of the chambers facilitate a lower weight of the fence panel.
In one embodiment, at least one first tab portion extends outwardly from the first longitudinal member by a length, and at least one second tab portion extends outwardly from the second longitudinal member by a length. The tab portions facilitate greater connection between the reinforcing structure and the panel structure. In one embodiment, a terminal end of the tab portions define a widened portion. The widened portions facilitate even greater connection between the reinforcing structure and the panel structure.
In one embodiment, the length of the first tab portion and the length of the second tab portion is between 25% and 30% of the height of the cross-members.
In one embodiment, the panel structure defines a tongue protrusion on one of the first edge and the second edge and a groove indentation on the other of the first edge and the second edge to facilitate interconnectedness of adjacent panel structures to provide a smooth appearance.
In one embodiment, the tongue protrusion defines a terminal end surface, the groove indentation defines an inner wall surface, and the panel structure defines a longitudinal distance from the terminal end surface to the inner wall surface.
In one embodiment, the length of the reinforcing structure is between 85% and 95% of a the longitudinal distance of the panel structure.
In one embodiment, the width of the reinforcing structure, the first side thickness of the panel structure, and the second side thickness of the panel structure are approximately equal.
The present invention relates to a fence 200 having a frame 250 for receiving panels designated generally 10. Panels 10 may be received in frame 200 in a vertical orientation (
Referring now to
Reinforcing structure 20 includes first longitudinal member 40, which forms a portion of first side 22. Reinforcing structure 20 includes second longitudinal member 50, which forms a portion of second side 24. A distance between first end 26 and second end 28 defines a length 25. First longitudinal member 40 and second longitudinal member 50 are separated from one another. A plurality of cross members 60, e.g., 60a-60f (
In a preferred embodiment, cross members 60, first longitudinal member 40, and second longitudinal member 50 define a plurality of chambers 70.
In one embodiment, a portion of each of tab portion 69a that extends outside of first longitudinal member 40 and a portion of each tab portion 69b that extends outside of said second longitudinal member 50 by an amount that is between 20% and 30% of the distance between first edge 64 and second edge 66 of cross members 60. In one embodiment, reinforcing structure 20 is an extruded member. In one embodiment, reinforcing structure 20 is made of aluminum.
Fence panel 10 additionally includes panel structure 100 (
In one embodiment, first longitudinal member 40 and second longitudinal member 50 of reinforcing structure 20 define a distance between first edge 30 and second edge 32 that is between 85% and 95% of longitudinal distance 140 of panel structure 100.
Although particular embodiments have been described herein, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited thereto and that many modifications and additions thereto may be made within the scope of the invention. For example, various combinations of the features of the following dependent claims can be made with the features of the independent claims without departing from the scope of the present invention.
It is to be understood that the terms “including”, “comprising”, “consisting” and grammatical variants thereof do not preclude the addition of one or more components, features, steps, or integers or groups thereof and that the terms are to be construed as specifying components, features, steps or integers.
If the specification or claims refer to “an additional” element, that does not preclude there being more than one of the additional element.
It is to be understood that where the claims or specification refer to “a” or “an” element, such reference is not be construed that there is only one of that element.
It is to be understood that where the specification states that a component, feature, structure, or characteristic “may”, “might”, “can” or “could” be included, that particular component, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to be included.
Methods of the present invention may be implemented by performing or completing manually, automatically, or a combination thereof, selected steps or tasks.
The term “method” may refer to manners, means, techniques and procedures for accomplishing a given task including, but not limited to, those manners, means, techniques and procedures either known to, or readily developed from known manners, means, techniques and procedures by practitioners of the art to which the invention belongs.
The term “at least” followed by a number is used herein to denote the start of a range beginning with that number (which may be a ranger having an upper limit or no upper limit, depending on the variable being defined). For example, “at least 1” means 1 or more than 1. The term “at most” followed by a number is used herein to denote the end of a range ending with that number (which may be a range having 1 or 0 as its lower limit, or a range having no lower limit, depending upon the variable being defined). For example, “at most 4” means 4 or less than 4, and “at most 40%” means 40% or less than 40%.
When, in this document, a range is given as “(a first number) to (a second number)” or “(a first number)-(a second number)”, this means a range whose lower limit is the first number and whose upper limit is the second number. For example, 25 to 100 should be interpreted to mean a range whose lower limit is 25 and whose upper limit is 100. Additionally, it should be noted that where a range is given, every possible subrange or interval within that range is also specifically intended unless the context indicates to the contrary. For example, if the specification indicates a range of 25 to 100 such range is also intended to include subranges such as 26-100, 27-100, etc., 25-99, 25-98, etc., as well as any other possible combination of lower and upper values within the stated range, e.g., 33-47, 60-97, 41-45, 28-96, etc. Note that integer range values have been used in this paragraph for purposes of illustration only and decimal and fractional values (e.g., 46.7-91.3) should also be understood to be intended as possible subrange endpoints unless specifically excluded.
It should be noted that where reference is made herein to a method comprising two or more defined steps, the defined steps can be carried out in any order or simultaneously (except where context excludes that possibility), and the method can also include one or more other steps which are carried out before any of the defined steps, between two of the defined steps, or after all of the defined steps (except where context excludes that possibility).
Further, it should be noted that terms of approximation (e.g., “about”, “substantially”, “approximately”, etc.) are to be interpreted according to their ordinary and customary meanings as used in the associated art unless indicated otherwise herein. Absent a specific definition within this disclosure, and absent ordinary and customary usage in the associated art, such terms should be interpreted to be plus or minus 10% of the base value.
Thus, the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned above as well as those inherent therein. While the inventive device has been described and illustrated herein by reference to certain preferred embodiments in relation to the drawings attached thereto, various changes and further modifications, apart from those shown or suggested herein, may be made therein by those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the spirit of the inventive concept the scope of which is to be determined by the following claims.
This application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/442,047 titled “WARP RESISTANT FENCE PANEL,” filed Jan. 30, 2023, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63442047 | Jan 2023 | US |
