Abstract:
A decorative privacy fence includes a wire fence fabric having a multiplicity of open vertical channels; a multiplicity of privacy slats inserted into the open vertical channels; and an image on the privacy slats with a portion of the image on each of the multiplicity of the privacy slats. The decorative privacy fence provides additional privacy by advantage of the eye&#39;s natural tendency to focus on an image that is presented to it. When the eye is focused on an image in the foreground, the background will be out of focus and will largely be ignored by the observer. By placing a decorative image on the surface of a privacy fence, the eyes will be drawn to the image and will focus on it. Even though the fence is not completely opaque, objects and activities behind the fence will be ignored by the casual observer.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO OTHER APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 60/601,401, filed on Aug. 13, 2004. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates generally to fence structures and methods of construction. More particularly, it relates to a chain link fence having privacy slats inserted into the fence with an image applied to at least one side of the slats for decoration, information, advertising or other purposes.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     The following patent publications relate to chain link fence constructions having slats, tiles or panels inserted into the fence for privacy, wind protection, decoration, information, advertising or other purposes. These and all other patents and patent applications referred to herein are hereby incorporated by reference.  
         [0004]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,708,955 granted to Cummings for Lattice insert  
         [0005]     Abstract: An insert consisting of a plastic square that is fastened to a plastic garden-lattice that affects the lattice&#39;s functional and ornamental characteristics. This device is dispersed throughout the lattice according to personal preference to achieve varying degrees of both function and ornamentation, with regards to protection from the elements, colors, composition, letters, numbers, embossing, etc.  
         [0006]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,669,175 granted to Snow, et al. for Tile type fencing insert  
         [0007]     Abstract: A rectangular sheet of flexible and resilient material such as plastic with notches at the midpoint of its sides. The size of the sheet and notches allow the insert to be placed into and located by a cell of a chain link fence. Notches fit around the wire crossovers of the chain link fence and locate the insert at the mid-plane of the fence. The corners of the insert extend into adjoining cells. Adjoining inserts overlap to provide complete visual privacy. The tile-like nature of the inserts allows great flexibility in arrangements and colors to provide visual privacy, decoration, words, logos, or signage.  
         [0008]     U.S. RE36,085 granted to McLaughlan, et al. for Chain link fencing with decorative slats that provide complete privacy  
         [0009]     Abstract: Chain link fencing having a plurality of elongate picket members comprising elongate slats that lie in diagonal valleys of the chain link fencing. Elongate, U-shaped channels lie along the respective sides of each elongate slat. The channels fit over and cover a row or ridge of knuckles formed along the side of each of the respective valleys of the chain link fencing. The pickets cover essentially the entire side of the chain link fence and leave no spaces or openings between pickets. The system thus provides complete privacy. Engagement members are associated with the channels to secure the channel members and thus the pickets to respective rows or ridges of knuckles on the chain link fencing.  
         [0010]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,395,092 granted to McLaughlan, et al. for Chain link fencing with decorative slats that provide complete privacy  
         [0011]     Abstract: Chain link fencing having a plurality of elongate picket members comprising elongate slats that lie in diagonal valleys of the chain link fencing. Elongate, U-shaped channels lie along the respective sides of each elongate slat. The channels fit over and cover a row or ridge of knuckles formed along the side of each of the respective valleys of the chain link fencing. The pickets cover essentially the entire side of the chain link fence and leave no spaces or openings between pickets. The system thus provides complete privacy. Engagement members are associated with the channels to secure the channel members and thus the pickets to respective rows or ridges of knuckles on the chain link fencing.  
         [0012]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,275,381 granted to Cluff, et al. for Wire fencing with decorative slats that provide essentially complete privacy  
         [0013]     Abstract: Wire fencing having a plurality of elongate picket members that lie adjacent to a side face of the chain link fencing so as to be substantially superposed over the fencing. Engagement members extend from the back faces of the picket members to project into the fencing and engage respective mounting members positioned within the fencing or on the opposite side face of the fencing. The interengagement of the engagement members and the mounting members holds the picket members firmly in place on the side of the fencing.  
         [0014]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,234,199 granted to Cluff for Chain link fencing with decorative slats  
         [0015]     Abstract: In a chain link fence having a plurality of elongate slats woven through the links of the chain link fabric, an improved system for retaining and locking the slats in the chain link fabric comprises (1) an elongate rail woven between consecutive links of the chain link fence such that the rail lies adjacent to mutually respective, aligned, first ends of the elongate slats, and (2) engagement members formed integrally with the mutually respective first ends of the elongate slats, with the engagement members including interlocking means which make interlocking engagement with the elongate rail when the respective first end of the elongate slat is abutted against the elongate rail.  
         [0016]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,165,664 granted to Cluff for Chain link fencing with decorative slats  
         [0017]     Abstract: In a chain link fence having a plurality of elongate slats woven through the links of the chain link fabric, an improved system for retaining and locking the slats in the chain link fabric comprises (1) an elongate rail woven between consecutive links of the chain link fence such that the rail lies adjacent to mutually respective, aligned, first ends of the elongate slats, and (2) engagement members formed integrally with the mutually respective first ends of the elongate slats, with the engagement members comprising a pair of separate, distinct, spaced apart barbs positioned adjacent to the respective side edges of the slat. The barbs make interlocking engagement with the elongate rail when the respective first end of the elongate slat is abutted against the elongate rail.  
         [0018]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,725,044 granted to Cluff for Chain link fencing containing decorative slats and locking clips  
         [0019]     Abstract: In a chain link fence having a plurality of elongate slats woven through the links of the chain link fabric, an improved system for locking and retaining the slats in the chain link fabric comprises an elongate clip member which is received in locking interengagement in a receptacle or opening in the respective slat. The clip member can be of the type which simply extends from the sides of the slat to form an obstruction with the links in the fence such that the slats cannot be removed from the fence. Alternatively, the clip members can be adapted to extend from the slat to a bottom rail so as to lock the slats to the bottom rail such that the slats cannot be removed from the fence.  
         [0020]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,723,761 granted to Cluff for Chain link fencing containing decorative slats  
         [0021]     Abstract: A means for retaining slats woven flatwise through the links of a chain link fence is provided with a receptacle formed in each of the slats and a generally U-shaped clip member having legs engaging respective receptacles in adjacent slats.  
         [0022]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,651,975 granted to Howell for Insert member for chain link fences  
         [0023]     Abstract: A device designed to be secured to a chain link fence improves the appearance of the fence and partially closes the openings in the fence so as to provide privacy and wind protection. Decorative blocks, such as of wood or plastic, are installed onto the obliquely angled wires of the fence via a wire-receiving groove formed in one surface of each block. Each block extends partially over each of two adjacent fence openings on either side of the wire. Flexible connectors, such as of light wire, are strung generally in lines to connect the series of blocks and secure their position and orientation. Installation of a large number of the blocks provides the appearance of a closed fence, improves the appearance of the fence and provides some wind protection.  
         [0024]     GB 2329913 filed by Haynes et al. for Screened chain link fencing  
         [0025]     Abstract: A chain link fence, made from wire mesh which is screened by means of the insertion of lightweight slats which are secured parallel to each other by means of a u-shaped channel, and, or the use of a securing wire, which can be passed through a securing stud in or to prevent their movement or unwanted removal of the slats from the fence. If required the slats can be printed, or a sign or image applied to the slats, so as to provide a slatted hoarding for the presentation of information such as an advertisement.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0026]     One disadvantage of many of the prior art privacy fences is that they do not provide an adequate level of privacy. It is easy for passers by to focus through the gaps between the colored privacy slats to see what is behind the fence. On the other hand, the few examples that are configured to provide complete privacy by overlapping the slats to eliminate the gaps require more elaborate construction and are consequently more expensive to make and install. What would be desirable therefore is a privacy fence that provides enhanced privacy without having to resort to complex and expensive constructions.  
         [0027]     To solve this problem, the present invention takes advantage of the eye&#39;s natural tendency to focus on an image that is presented to it. When the eye is focused on an image in the foreground, the background will be out of focus and will largely be ignored by the observer. By placing a decorative image on the surface of a privacy fence, the eyes will be drawn to the image and will focus on it. Even though the fence is not completely opaque, objects and activities behind the fence will be ignored by the casual observer. This provides an enhanced level of privacy without having to resort to complex and expensive fence constructions. The decorative privacy fence of the present invention can also be configured to provide additional advantages, such as wind protection, decoration, information, advertising, etc. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0028]      FIG. 1  shows a front view of a decorative privacy fence constructed in accordance with the present invention having a chain link fence with privacy slats inserted into the chain link fence with an image applied to at least one side of the slats.  
         [0029]      FIG. 2  shows a rear view of a decorative privacy fence constructed in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0030]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged view showing construction details of the decorative privacy fence.  
         [0031]      FIG. 4  shows construction details of optional features of the decorative privacy fence.  
         [0032]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  show a top view and an end view of a fixture used for manually laminating an image onto the privacy slats of the decorative privacy fence.  
         [0033]      FIG. 6  shows an end view of a privacy slat after lamination.  
         [0034]      FIG. 7  shows an interim step in the manufacture of privacy slats from a flat panel of material.  
         [0035]      FIG. 8  shows an end view of finished privacy slats made from a flat panel of material. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0036]      FIG. 1  shows a front view of a decorative privacy fence  100  constructed in accordance with the present invention. The privacy fence  100  is configured as a chain link fence made from interwoven strands of wire  102  that form an interwoven wire fabric  112 . The interwoven wire fabric  112  is typically supported between upright posts  116 , which are optionally connected by horizontal rails  118  at the top and bottom of the fence  100 . The interwoven pattern of the wire  102  leaves a multiplicity of open vertically oriented channels  104  into which a multiplicity of privacy slats  106  can be inserted.  
         [0037]     The privacy slats  106  typically have an elongated rectangular configuration when viewed from the front. In one preferred configuration shown in  FIGS. 3 and 6 , when viewed from the ends, the privacy slats  106  are typically configured with an elongated rectangular cross section with rounded lateral edges. In one particularly preferred embodiment, the privacy slats  106  are formed as a thin-walled, hollow profile polymer extrusion with internal walls or webbing between the opposing faces. This configuration reduces the weight of the privacy slats  106  and saves materials costs. Alternatively, the privacy slats  106  may be configured with flattened tubular or channel-shaped cross section or other convenient shape. The privacy slats  106  are preferably constructed of a low cost, durable, weatherproof material, for example a polymer such as polyvinyl chloride or a polymer composite. The privacy slats  106  may be formed by extrusion, rolling, stamping, molding or other convenient manufacturing process. The privacy slats  106  may be colored in the manufacturing process or left a natural color.  
         [0038]     The privacy slats  106  are preferably configured with at least one generally flat surface  108  onto which an image  110  can be applied. The image  110  can be applied to the privacy slats  106  using any known process that results in a durable, weatherproof image. The flat surface  108  of the privacy slats  106  must be compatible with the image application process. In one preferred method, the image  110  is formed on a durable, weatherproof polymer film, such as polyvinyl chloride or mylar. The polymer film with the image  110  on it is cut into strips approximately the width of the privacy slats  106  and applied to the flat surface  108  using an adhesive, such as a contact adhesive previously applied to the back surface of the polymer film. Advantageously, it has been found that the adhesion of the laminated image to the slats actually increases with time and weathering. Optionally, an image can be applied to both surfaces of the privacy slats  106 .  
         [0039]     The privacy slats  106  with the image  110  applied to them are inserted into the open vertically oriented channels  104  in the chain link fence  112  as shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 2  shows a rear view of the completed privacy fence  100 . Optionally, the back surface of the privacy slats  106  can have an image applied to it as well or it may have a uniform color or a pattern on it.  
         [0040]     For standard chain link fences with a repeat pattern of approximately 3½ inches, the privacy slats  106  will preferably have a width of approximately 2¼ inches and a thickness of approximately ¼ inch to fit into the open vertically oriented channels  104  in the woven wire fabric  112 . Privacy slats  106  with a width of approximately 1 inch and a thickness of approximately ¼ inch can be used for smaller mesh sizes of chain link fence. The length of the privacy slats  106  will preferably correspond to the height of the woven wire fabric  112  of the privacy fence  100 . The privacy slats  106  can be manufactured in any other dimensions to accommodate other mesh sizes of chain link fences.  
         [0041]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged view showing construction details of the decorative privacy fence  100 . Optionally, the privacy slats  106  can be secured in place by bending the free ends  114  of the wires  102  over at the top and/or bottom of the chain link fence. Alternatively, locking devices, such as those described in the prior art, may be used to secure the privacy slats  106  in place.  
         [0042]      FIG. 4  shows construction details of optional features of the decorative privacy fence. In order to avoid distortion of the image printed on the privacy fence  100 , is important that the privacy slats  106  be properly aligned with one another along the fence, particularly as compared to prior art privacy fences that use solid colored privacy slats. To achieve this, the lower ends of the wires  102  can be bent into lower support loops  120  that support the privacy slats  106  at the same correct height, thus providing a datum for aligning the portions of the image printed on each of privacy slats  106 .  
         [0043]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  show a top view and an end view of a fixture  200  used for manually laminating an image onto the privacy slats  106  of the decorative privacy fence  100 . The fixture  200  is preferably configured to be used on a horizontal table. The fixture  200  includes a multiplicity of channels  202  separated by raised fences  204 . The raised fences  204  will preferably have a height approximately the same as the thickness of the privacy slats  106 . Alignment pins  206  or other alignment features are located approximately on the centerline of each of the raised fences  204 . A multiplicity of undecorated privacy slats  106  are placed in the channels  202  of the fixture  200  with the upper and lower ends of the slats aligned and the flat surface  108  facing upward. Next an image formed on a polymer film  122  is adhesively attached to the flat surface  108  of the privacy slats  106 . A steel rule or the like (not shown) is aligned with the spaces between the privacy slats  106  using the alignment pins  206  on the centerline of the raised fences  204 . The polymer film  122  with the image on it is slit between the privacy slats  106  using a razor knife or other sharp cutting blade. Preferably, the raised fences  204  will be made of wood or metal to resist damage by the cutting blade. The cut polymer film  122  is wrapped around and adhered the rounded lateral edges of the privacy slats  106 , preferably covering the privacy slats  106  up to approximately the midpoint of the rounded lateral edges, as shown by the arrow marked W in  FIG. 6 , which shows an end view of a privacy slat  106  after lamination. This configuration of the privacy slats  106  has an additional advantage in that the image on the privacy slats  106  appears more continuous than if it had only been applied to the flat surface  108 , including when the fence is viewed from angles other than perpendicular to the front surface of the fence. Preferably, the privacy slats  106  are marked with numbers, letters or other indicia prior to removal from the fixture  200  to indicate the order of the slats for later insertion into the open vertically oriented channels  104  of a chain link fence  112 . For example, the indicia may be applied using removal labels. A portion or all this manual process may be automated for more rapid and efficient manufacturing of the decorative privacy fence  100 . In addition, the insertion of the privacy slats  106  into the open vertically oriented channels  104  of a chain link fence  112  may be automated. For example, the privacy slats  106  may be inserted into the vertically oriented channels  104  of a chain link fence  112  as the woven wire fabric is being formed.  
         [0044]      FIG. 7  shows an interim step in the manufacture of privacy slats from a flat panel of material  130 . In this method an image is first applied to a rigid flat panel of material  130 , then the flat panel and the image are cut into strips to form a multiplicity of privacy slats  106 , as shown in  FIG. 8 .  
         [0045]     In general, the image may be applied to the flat panel shown in  FIG. 7 , or alternatively to slats, using any acceptable method. For example, the image may be applied to the flat panel  130  by printing the image onto a polymer film, for example 3M Controltac IJ180C film, and laminating the printed polymer film onto the flat panel  130 . The image may be printed on the polymer film using a wide format printer, such as those available from Mutoh, Encad, ColorSpan or Hewlett-Packard. Alternatively, the image may be printed directly onto the flat panel  130  using a wide format flatbed printer, such as those available from Mutoh, Encad or Mimaki. If the flat panel  130  is treated prior to printing, it can be printed on using solvent base inks. If the flat panel  130  is untreated, it can be printed on using UV cured inks. In other embodiments, the image is created using autosterioscopic technologies, such as those using paralax barriers, lenticular sheets, or other methods to create holographic or 3D images, moving images, changing images, and other effects that may be readily created using such technology. In some embodiments both sides of the slats, and thus the fence incorporating the slats, may include an image formed thereon.  
         [0046]     In one preferred embodiment, the flat panel  130  is configured as a hollow cell profile extrusion formed of a polymer, including, but not limited to, PVC, polypropylene or polyethylene. The end view of the flat panel  130  in  FIG. 7  and the end view of finished privacy slats  106  in  FIG. 8  show the hollow cell profile extrusion configuration. Plat panels  130  of this configuration are available in 4×8 and 4×10 foot panels.  
         [0047]     Using any of the printing techniques described, the decorative image can be readily scaled to the size of the privacy fence. Optionally, a UV resistant coating can be applied to the privacy slats  106  after laminating or printing to increase durability of the decorative privacy fence  100 . Another option is to apply a graffiti resistant coating, such as 3M Scotchcal High Gloss Graffiti-Resistant (polyester) Overlaminate 8912 ES, to the privacy slats  106  after laminating or printing.  
         [0048]     The product may be provided in roll form as wire fence fabric with preinserted printed privacy slats or, alternatively, the printed privacy slats may be provided separately for insertion into the wire fence fabric in the field.  
         [0049]     While the present invention has been described herein with respect to the exemplary embodiments and the best mode for practicing the invention, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications, improvements and subcombinations of the various embodiments, adaptations and variations can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.