Abstract:
A perimeter boundary for a camping ground adjacent a conventional recreational camper that is operable to substantially inhibit a small child or pet from exiting the area defined by the perimeter boundary. The perimeter boundary further includes a plurality of panels having a first end and a second end and further including two horizontal support members and a plurality of longitudinal support members. The panels further include keepers mounted thereto on the first end and the second end. A multitude of connection members are provided that are generally rod shaped and function to releasably secure the plurality of panels. A stair panel is included that is formed so as to be mounted at least partially around stairs protruding from the recreational camper. A riser panel is further included to substantially cover the open riser area of the stairs of the recreational camper.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a perimeter boundary for a camping area, more specifically but not by way of limitation, a portable fence adaptable to be placed adjacent a recreational camping vehicle and provide a boundary for small children and/or pets. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Millions of individuals regularly participate in outdoor activities such as but not limited too hiking and camping. In the United States there are thousands of state or national campgrounds that offer individuals a place to camp and experience the outdoors. Those that participate in camping often utilize a portable shelter such as but not limited to a tent in order to provide and structure to store gear and a place to sleep. Other individuals that engage in camping utilize recreational vehicles that offer significant amenities and can either be towed behind a truck or are equipped to be driven on their own. 
     Whether utilizing a tent or a recreational vehicle, all campers will temporarily set up an area adjacent to their portable structure commonly referred to as a campground. The campground area is typically utilized to prepare a fire or gather chairs and is the place where the individuals engaged in camping will gather. 
     Many state and national parks provide specific areas for recreational camping vehicles. These area traditionally have electric connections as well as water connections so as to provide the camper a comfortable environment. Individuals that utilize recreational camping vehicles will typically set up adjacent to their recreational vehicle chairs, tables and the like to utilize during their stay in the campground. One problem with campgrounds designed for recreational camping vehicles is the lack of a perimeter control. The campsites designed for recreational vehicles typically do not have any fencing or other structure that provide perimeter protection of the area immediately adjacent to the location of the recreational camping vehicle. Many campers utilizing recreational camping vehicles often have small children or pets. The lack of perimeter control of the campground area immediately adjacent the recreational camping vehicle thus requires a high degree of attention be given to pets or small children to ensure their safety. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for a portable perimeter boundary that can be placed adjacent to a recreational camping vehicle that provides a perimeter boundary for an area immediately adjacent to the recreational vehicle in order to provide limited space for a small child or pet to walk. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is the object of the present invention to provide a portable perimeter boundary for an area immediately adjacent a recreational camper so as to limit an area of access for a child or a pet. 
     Another object of the present invention to provide a portable perimeter boundary for a camping area adjacent to a camping recreational vehicle that includes a plurality of rigid sections. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a portable perimeter boundary for a camping area adjacent to a recreational vehicle that includes a connection member that is operable to connect each of the plurality of sections. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a portable perimeter boundary for a camping area adjacent to a recreational vehicle wherein the connection member further functions to be journaled into the ground so as to maintain the portable perimeter boundary in a substantially vertical position. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a portable perimeter boundary for a camping area adjacent to a recreational vehicle that includes a section adaptable to surroundably mount to the folding stairs of the recreational vehicle. 
     An additional object of the present invention is to provide a portable perimeter boundary for a camping area adjacent to a recreational vehicle that includes a portion that substantially closes the open riser area of the folding stairs of the recreational vehicle. 
     Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a portable perimeter boundary for a camping area adjacent to a recreational vehicle that is durable and lightweight. 
     To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a detailed view of the connection member of the present invention operably coupling two panels; and 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the present invention adjacent a conventional recreational camping vehicle; and 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the stair panel of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of the stair panel of the present invention with the riser panel installed. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings submitted herewith, wherein various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein through the views and figures like elements are referenced with identical reference numerals, there is illustrated a campground perimeter boundary  100  constructed according to the principles of the present invention. 
     The campground perimeter boundary  100  further includes a plurality of panels  10  that are releasably secured to form the campground perimeter boundary  100 . The panels  10  are constructed of a durable, rigid, lightweight material such as but not limited to plastic. The panels  10  include a plurality of longitudinal members  15  that are generally rectangular in shape. Each panel  10  further includes a first outer longitudinal member  16  and a second outer longitudinal member  17 . The first outer longitudinal support member  16  and second outer longitudinal support member  17  are greater in length than the remaining longitudinal members  15  of the same panel  10 . The first outer longitudinal support member  16  and second outer longitudinal support member  17  are greater in length than the longitudinal members  15  so as to provide a more stable interface with the connection member  30 . The longitudinal members  15  of the panel  10  are secured in position against a first horizontal member  25  and a second horizontal member  27 . The longitudinal members  15  are secured to the first horizontal support member  25  and second horizontal support member  27  utilizing suitable durable mechanical fasteners such as but not limited to nails or screws. 
     The longitudinal support members  15  are positioned such that they are evenly spaced along the first horizontal member and the second horizontal member  27 . While good results have been achieved constructing a panel  10  that positions the longitudinal members  15  in a pattern such that a consistent space is intermediate each longitudinal member  15 , it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the panels  10  could be constructed such that the longitudinal members  15  are adjacent to each other with no space intermediate thereto. While no particular length of the longitudinal members  15  is required, good results have been achieved utilizing longitudinal members  15  that are approximately three feet in length. Additionally, good results have been achieved utilizing a first outer longitudinal support member  16  and second outer longitudinal support member  17  that are approximately ten percent greater in length than the longitudinal members  15 . While an exemplary panel  10  has been illustrated herein as having a first horizontal member  25  and a second horizontal member  27 , it is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the panel  10  could have more than two horizontal members  26 . 
     Referring in particular to  FIG. 1 , a connection member  30  is illustrated therein. The connection member  30  functions to releasably secure adjacent panels  10  during assembly of the campground perimeter boundary  100 . The connection member  30  is manufactured from a suitable durable material such as but not limited to metal. The connection member  30  is generally rod-shaped having a first end  31  and a second end  32 . The first end is generally tapered in shape so as to facilitate penetration thereof into the ground. The second end  32  is larger than the diameter of the body  33  of the connection member  30  so as to facilitate the engagement by a tool such as but not limited to a hammer when inserting the connection member  30  into the ground. While not illustrated herein, it is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the second end  32  be configured with threads similar fastener so as to have releasably secured thereto ornamental fixtures. 
     The connection members  30  are journaled through the keepers  40  during assembly of the campground perimeter boundary  100 . The keepers  40  are mounted to the first outer longitudinal member  16  and second outer longitudinal member  17  utilizing suitable durable techniques such as but not limited to mechanical or chemical techniques. The keepers  40  are mounted such that they are generally perpendicular to the first outer longitudinal member  16  and second outer longitudinal member  17 . While not illustrated herein, the keepers  40  include apertures so as to permit the connection member  30  to be journaled therethrough and releasably secured adjacent panels  10  as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     Illustrated in particular in  FIG. 3  is a stair panel  50 . The stair panel  50  is constructed to have a void  52  that is operable to accommodate the exemplary stairs  99  of a conventional recreational camper  98 . The stair panel  50  includes three longitudinal support members  55 . A first longitudinal support member  56  and second longitudinal support member  57  are adjacent each other, while the third longitudinal support member  58  is on the opposing side of the void  52 . The stair panel  50  includes a lower portion  51  that is of suitable height to fit underneath the lowest tread  97  of the exemplary stairs  99  of the recreational camper  98 . This substantially inhibits either a pet or small child to be able to escape the campground perimeter boundary  100  once assembled adjacent to the conventional recreational camper  98 . The lower portion  51  consists of a plurality of longitudinal members  15  and a first horizontal member  25  and a second horizontal member  27  as described herein but modified so as to be placed such that the top  49  of the lower portion  51  is immediately adjacent the bottom of the lowest tread  97 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that the lower portion  51  could be constructed in numerous different lengths so as to accommodate exemplary stairs  99  having different lower tread heights. It is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the lower portion  51  could be configured such that it is adjustable to accommodate different heights of lower tread of exemplary stairs  99  of conventional recreational campers  98 . The stair panel  50  further includes a plurality of keepers  40  so as to be releasably secured to an adjacent panel  10  utilizing a connection member  30  during assembly of the campground perimeter boundary  100 . 
     A riser panel  70  is illustrated in particular in  FIG. 4 . The riser panel  70  functions to substantially inhibit access through the open riser area intermediate the treads  96  of the exemplary stairs  99 . Small children and or pets can potentially egress through the open riser area intermediate the treads  96 . The campground perimeter boundary  100  includes the riser panel  70  and the stair panel  50  so as to substantially inhibit the ability of a small child or pet to egress from the campground perimeter boundary  100  once assembled adjacent to a recreational camper  98 . The riser panel  70  includes a plurality of longitudinal members  15  and a first horizontal member  25  and a second horizontal member  27  as described herein but modified so as to be appropriately sized to be placed behind the exemplary stairs such that the riser panel  70  substantially encloses the open riser areas intermediate the treads  96 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that the riser panel  70  could be constructed in numerous different sizes so as to accommodate various stairs  99  of different sizes having varying amounts of treads  96 . Additionally, it is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the riser panel  70  could be constructed utilizing only one horizontal member. The riser panel  70  is releasably secured to the stairs  99  utilizing suitable durable fasteners. 
     Referring in particular to  FIG. 2 , a description of the operation of the campground perimeter boundary  100  is as follows. In use, the user will begin assembly of the campground perimeter boundary  100  by placing the panels  10  adjacent each other such that the first outer longitudinal support member  16  of one panel  10  is adjacent to the second outer longitudinal support member  17  of another panel  10 . The keepers  40  are axially aligned such that the connection member  30  can be journaled therethrough and inserted into the ground. The panels  10  are assembled in a manner to outline an area immediately adjacent a recreational camper  98 . During assembly the stair panel  50  is positioned such that the void  52  will be aligned with the extended stairs  99  and the lower portion  51  is substantially covering the area beneath the lowest tread  97 . Ensuing assembly of the panels  10 , the riser panel  70  is releasably secured into position such that it substantially covers the open riser areas intermediate the treads  96 . 
     In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.