NEAR INTERLOCKING PRIVACY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to prefabricated panels that are assembled to form a decorative privacy fence.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There are numerous examples of prefabricated fence sections that can be assembled to form a continuous structure. The. Previous prefabricated fences were assembled from individual sections made of wood. Usually, each section had a separate fence post at each end to secure on the ground. Other fence sections were made of pilings or panels attached to the supporting structure members and the frame members were mounted to the pre-positioned fence posts. More recently, wood has been replaced with man-made materials such as aluminum, steel, polymers, compressed cardboard, fiberglass, etc. These materials offer advantages in shape uniformity, ease of assembly, conservation, and longevity. One such prefabricated fence is described in U.S. Pat. U. No. 6,772,998. Included in the wide field of prefabricated building material, lattice protections are well known for decorative use, as well as, to provide a barrier. One advantage of this structure is the reduced wind resistance. This trellis is usually mass produced from a series of small thin longitudinal pieces on a series of small thin side pieces at a ninety degree angle and fitted together leaving interstices of varying sizes. Again, the construction of traditional wood has given way to plastic and other synthetic materials. Examples of such structure are found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,398,193, U.S. Patent No. 6,308,487 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,286,284. Usually, the prior art fencing sections are secured to one another and on the ground by means of fence posts that are designed to join in straight lines or right angles. For example, some poles have holes that extend through the poles at right angles to each other allowing the panel supports to be aligned or oriented perpendicular to each other. Any other angular relationship may require some modification of the posts or sections of the panel or both. Prior art fences that are semi-permanent in that placement of fence posts, usually result in a post fixed in a filled hole in the ground. Then, the adjustment of the fence line requires substantial labor from digging new holes for fence posts and filling the previous ones. U.S. Pat. No. 4,357,000 to Tisbo et al, discloses an improved integrally ornamental molded plastic fence section. The fencing section generally includes a pair of substantially parallel beams with a plurality of stakes formed integrally with the beams. Each cross member has a plurality of identical spaced ears, formed integrally with one end. Each of the ears has a bar opening that extends through there. The bar-in-the-ear openings at one end of a cross member are aligned with the bar-in-the-ear openings in the other cross-member. A groove is formed in each ear extending from the outside of the respective ear to the respective opening. Each slot in each ear at one end of the section is aligned with the other slots in the other ears at that end of the section. A second plurality of supports is formed integral with the other end of each of the crosspieces. A cylindrical rod is formed integral with the supports on the end of the crosspiece. Each bar has a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the bar opening to fit perfectly within the respective aligned bar openings in the ears. The cylindrical bars fit inside the ears and the supports pass through the slots to join the adjacent sections together by rotating the section in relation to one another, after each bar has been placed in its respective bar openings. U.S. Pat. No. 4,130,272 to Emmie, discloses a stakes fence comprising a plurality of parallel and laterally spaced metal stakes, which are connected by a plurality of parallel pairs of stringers. The crosspieces are made of a metal material and have opposite ends formed in a tubular configuration, which are received in coupling recesses in the adjacent parallel beams such that the beams are rotatable about the tubular configurations of the beams by what the stakes and their associated beams are movable with respect to each other, in such a way that the stakes can be placed along a curved path. U.S. Pat. No. 4,91 1, 339 of Harden, discloses a hay closure that includes two end sections and two sections along each side. The diagonally opposed side sections are equal in length, although the two sections on each side have equal lengths. The closure is rotatably movable to a second position where two triangular-shaped closures are formed having a smaller area than the rectangular closure area. The adjacent sections are rotatably interconnected through vertically spaced hinges, with the upper hinge including an outerly extending bolt received in a sleeve, and the lower hinge including a pair of vertically aligned, adjacent sleeves in which it is received. a mobile pin. U.S. Pat. No. 5,445,362 to Repert, describes a fence assembly that includes two-foot width modules. The modules are easily mounted in sections of four modules to achieve any accumulated fence length, if desired. A module is attached to an adjacent module by inserting a clamp into vertical T-shaped slots formed in an adjacent module. The sections are secured in the ground by means of stakes that project downwards. These tube and stake assemblies are located hidden within the first and fourth modules of each section. The lower and upper horizontal reinforcement members are attached along the sections. Anchors that expand elastic are used to connect pipes, extensions and horizontal members, with holes that are aligned in which they receive these anchors. In one embodiment, projected for use in flat terrain, the lower reinforcing member extends through and hidden in longitudinal holes extending through each module. Only one horizontal member is external to and visible from the completed fence of the first modality, which has as an important objective to present an attractive appearance, not disordered. U.S. Pat. No. 3,71 1, 066 of Niemiec, discloses an integral plastic fence section having an expansive main body with a plurality of stake members projecting downward from a lower end and adapted to be driven into the ground . Opposite side ends of the section have hinge members that are releasably joined together and that cooperate with each other to provide rotational movement of the adjacent interconnected fence sections around the hinge axis to provide a variety of alignments. U.S. Pat. No. 4,073,478 of Bermudez, describes an improved fence structure composed of closely interconnected and aligned sections, which are of two types, and which are placed in a staggered relationship. In assembly, close sections of the first type, which have end posts extending downward, are received in a male / female ratio in the gaps provided in a support surface along a row of fence and, then, the near sections of the second type are connected to the closely installed sections of the first type. U.S. Pat. No. 6,637,728 and D463,036 of Pettit et al, discloses a plastic fence section that includes a series of recessed chambers connected with at least upper and lower horizontal chambers extending to the length of the fence section to receive the Reinforcement members. The fence section is made of plastic material. The hollowed out chambers are separated by regions that are removed with the fingers. The fence section provides a visual block and has a similar appearance on either side of the fence section. The fence section has a pole end and a panel joining end. The panel joining end is adapted to engage and partially coincide with a second fence panel section.
U.S. Pat. UU No. 5,078,367 to Simpson et al, discloses a panel system comprising a plurality of posts and at least one panel for securing between a pair of adjacent posts, in which each post is formed of plastic material and has a channel at least an end for receiving an end portion of a panel, and each panel is formed of plastic material and comprises a plurality of sub-panels and a structure formed of a plurality of side members having similar cross section secured together at the corners of the structure. The plurality of sub-panels secured within the structure wherein each side member of panel structure is formed with a channel open to one end of the side member to receive end portions of the sub-panels that make up the panel. The US Publication No. 2004/0140461 by Lappen, describes flexible door and fence systems, which are adaptable for modifications, have common parts, are easy to assemble, durable and have a long service life. The structure can be made from pre-coated galvanized steel parts. The panel is maintained in a rectangular fence structure with U-shaped grooves, formed by means of a parallel pair of L-shaped retaining angles mounted rear-to-back or face-to-face on the crossbars to adapt to a wide choice of panel styles, materials and thicknesses without adding any new component. Another feature provides an insert panel, which can be interleaved between two panels to further suppress noise. Another feature refers to the adjustable pole angle adapters. Another feature relates to a door width opening adjustment member, which uses a slide rail at the far end. The US Publication No. 2002/0020834 by Stusser, describes an easy-to-install, low-maintenance, durable fence that incorporates a combination of materials that include at least two posts, a frame structure that is held between the two posts, a supported lattice structure within the frame structure, and a protection structure supported within the frame structure. The framework structure and poles are made of treated wood for weathering and the lattice and protection structures are made of a synthetic material, such as vinyl. Both the lattice structure and the protection structure are supported within the framework structure by means of a plurality of wooden supports. The US Publication No. 2003/0107031 to Cuzzocrea, describes a modular grid fence system comprising integral connectors at each end, which allows each respective grid to be connected to each of the other grids and form a fence. The connectors also provide that the modular grid fence system can be used at degree angles close to zero, at an in-line angle of 180 degrees. This connection feature provides that the modular grid fence system can be used to increase and provide additional restriction to an existing fence, or be used as a free-stay fence. What is needed in the art is a fence system that provides secure privacy, adaptability in readiness, and facility to change the fence line.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION A fence for interlocking privacy is described, formed of a series of panels molded with lattice and simulated panels embossed embossed on each side by means of a support. The lower part of the supports is formed as a sharp blade for insertion into the ground to fix the fence in place. The lower part of the supports is formed as a sharp blade for insertion into the ground to fix the fence in place. Each of the supports has clamps for coupling to bolts placed on a support to be joined. Each clamp includes an opening therethrough to receive a pin from a pin. In the assembly, the clamps of the different panels are aligned with the bolts of the other panels, and the bolts are inserted through the openings in such a way that each support is interlocked. Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide a fence that provides a visual barrier to protect the interior of the view.
Another object of this invention is to provide identical panels with integral brackets at each end positioned to interlock with one another, such that a series of panels can be engaged by means of the brackets. A further objective of this invention is to provide fence posts that cooperate with the interlocking clamps for joining the panels. Still another object of this invention is to provide the clamps with complementary shape that allows the panels to be mounted in an infinite angular formation. A still further objective of this invention is to provide supports at each end of each panel that extends below the lower margin for ground clearance and formed to easily penetrate the support surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a perspective of the interlock privacy fence of this invention showing a closure; Fig. 2 is a positive raised front perspective of a panel of the interlock privacy fence of this invention; Fig. 3, is a later perspective in negative relief of a panel of the interlocking privacy fence of this invention; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a pin; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a clamp used to receive a bolt; and Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the bolt of Fig. 4 interlocked with the bracket of Fig. 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The interlocking privacy fence 10, which is shown in Figure 1, is composed of four panels 1 1, 12, 13 and 14, although the number of panels is a matter of choice. As shown, each panel is oriented at an angle perpendicular to the other two panels at each end. Each of the panels has the same components which are provided with the same reference numbers for simplicity. The panel 1 1 has a plate 15 formed of synthetic materials in any conventional method including molding, casting, fabrication and assembly, etc. The plate 15 is formed with a support 16 at one end and a support 17 at the other end. The plate 15, as shown, has a simulated vertical siding 20 with a vertical siding at the bottom and a simulated lattice 21 with longitudinal pieces 22 and vertical pieces 23 forming openings 24 at the top. The vertical siding is located apart providing an open slot for air circulation. The siding is oriented at an angle to avoid a direct view of the interior of the closing area. A frame rail 25 extends between the support 16 and the support 17 at the top of the panel. An intermediate frame rail 26 extends between the posts at the boundary between the vertical siding and the trellis. Another frame rail 27 extends between the supports in the lower part of the panel. Therefore, this design can be reversed or other designs can be replaced. The siding 20 and the lattice 21 can be without perforations, if desired. The supports 16, 17 extend above and below the plate 15. The blade 28 of the support 16 penetrates the earth or other surface and supports the weight of the panel 1 1 together with the blade 29 of the support 17. The space 30 between the ground and the lower frame rail 27, together with the openings in the verdial siding and the lattice, allow air to circulate through the interlocking privacy fence 10. The panels 1 1, 12, 13 and 14 are molded as one. sheet with a three-dimensional shape presenting the positive side, front, of the vertical panel lattice and the raised supports, in Fig. 2, with one side, negative, rear, shown in Fig. 3. The end upper of the support 16 and the support 17, each with an end cap 18 and 19. The end caps 18, 19 close the interior of the supports and add rigidity to the panel. The outer surface of the support 16 is formed with three clamps 31 projecting outwards, as shown in Fig. 3. Each clamp 31 has an upper wall 32, a lower wall 33 and a side wall 34 connecting the upper and lower walls. The upper wall has an opening 35 and the lower wall has an opening 36 aligned therewith. The side walls 34 have a groove 37 extending from the end of the bracket partially around the side wall. The support 17 has three bolts 38 vertically spaced along the support, as shown in Fig. 2. Each bolt has an upper prong 39, and a lower prong 40 extending in opposite directions from a handle 41 attached to the support . The clamps 31 and bolts 37 are spaced evenly along the length of each support in a manner that each clamp 31 is positioned opposite a bolt 37. This results in an alignment of the clamps and bolts when the panels separated are joined, as shown in Figure 1. The tines 39 and 40 are longer than the distance between the upper wall and the lower wall of the clamps allowing the angular insertion of the tines into the openings. To mount the interlocking privacy fence 10, a support 16 of a panel 1 1 is juxtaposed with a support 17 of another panel 12. The handle 41 of the bolts 38 is inserted into the slots 37 of the clamps 31 and the prongs 39 and 40 are passed through the openings of the clamps 31 by interlocking the separate panels 1 1, 12, 13 and 14. The supports 16 and 17, extend below the bottom rail 27 and are sharpened on a blade 42. Due to the relief three-dimensional panels, the blades 28 have side walls 43, 44 connected by means of a front wall 45. The three blades with sides 28 are conducted inside the earth and another surface and secured to the ground fence. In this way, the fence can be erected with the panels at any angle from one to another for aesthetics, as well as stability, and to form different configured closures. Figure 4 illustrates the pin 38 having a top prong
39, lower prong 40 extending in opposite directions of a handle 41 extending from the support 17. In the preferred embodiment, each prong is cylindrical providing easy positioning that exceeds 180 degrees of positional rotation. Figure 5 illustrates the clamp 31 having an upper wall 32, a lower wall 33 and a side wall 34 connecting the upper and lower walls. The upper wall has an opening 35 and the lower wall has an opening 36 aligned therewith. The side walls 34 have a slot 37 that extends from the end of the bracket partially around the side wall. As shown in Figures 4-6, the handle 41 of the bolts 38 is available for insertion along the slot 37 of the bracket 32, where the prongs 39 and 40 are passed into the side walls 32 and 33 and inside the openings 35 and 36. The clamps 31 interlock the bolts 41 and thereby the separate panels. The slot 37 allows the positional rotation of the bolt allowing the panels to be placed in any position necessary to carry out the consumer's privacy needs. While a number of embodiments of the present invention are described, it is understood that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited by the illustrated embodiment, but only by the scope of the appended claims.