Abstract:
A fencing system for confining climbing animals. The fencing system uses a plurality of vertical posts that are set in place along a fence line. Arch support brackets are provided that attach to the vertical posts. Each arch support bracket has an ascending section that climbs to an apex point and a descending section that descends from that apex point. Flexible plastic netting is suspended between the rigid supports that are created by the vertical posts and the arch support brackets. Flexible plastic netting is supported vertically by the vertical posts. Above the vertical posts, the flexible plastic netting is supported in an ascending” angle to an apex point by each ascending section of “the arch support brackets. From the apex point, the flexible plastic netting is supported in a descending angle to the free end of the arch support bracket.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/438,448, filed May 20, 2006, which is a continuation-in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/820,207, filed Apr. 8, 2004. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    In general, the present invention relates to fence structures for confining animals. More particularly, the present invention relates to fence structures with features that prevent climbing animals, such as cats, from climbing over the fence structure. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Many households have pets. In the United States, two of the most common household pets are dogs and cats. No two pets have the same personalities. Some pets can be trained to live outside and not wanderers away from a home or near a street. Other pets are wanderers and will readily get lost if they are left outside and unrestrained. 
         [0006]    Dogs are poor climbers, thus any fence that a dog cannot jump over or dig under is typically sufficient to contain a dog within a confined area. However, cats are natural climbers. They also are very adept at leaping. Thus, in order to confine a cat within fenced area, either a fence has to be constructed that is abnormally high, or some feature has to be added to the fence that deters a cat from climbing over the fence. In the prior art, there are different types of fences that contain some feature that is intended to prevent the fence from being climbed. Many fences, especially barbed wire fences, have extra runs of barbed wire at the top of the fence to deter people from climbing the fence. Such barbed wire fences are exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 2,015,615 to Caplinger, entitled Fence Guard. However, very few people want to have barbed-wire fences in their backyards to confine their pets. Thus, features have been added to more conventional types of backyard fences that deter the fences from being climbed. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,199,831 to Patrick, entitled Non-Electric Perimeter Fence, discloses a fence structure where angled solid panels are attached to the top of a chain link fence. The supports for the fence must be significant to support the weight of the angled panels and the wind loads experience by the angled panels. Furthermore, a lot of material is needed to create the angled solid panels. As such, the entire fence assembly is expensive to manufacture and difficult to install. Additionally, the angled solid panels are disposed at the top of the fence. As a consequence, the entire fence assembly is highly visible and blocks the view of whatever may lie beyond the fence. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,267,724 to Heath, entitled Fencing Apparatus For Containing Cats, discloses a wire shelf that can be attached to the back of an existing wooden fence. The wire shelf extends horizontally from the fence and therefore acts as a physical barrier to any cat climbing up the fence. However, in order for the Heath fence barrier to be used, a solid wooded fence must first be constructed around the periphery of the area in which the cat is to be confined. Building a solid wood fence is both expensive and obtrusive in that the wooden fence is a physical barrier that blocks the view of what lay behind the fence. A need therefore exists in the art for a fencing system that can be used to confine a climbing animal, where the fencing system is low cost, easy to install and does not block the view of what lay beyond the fence. This need is met by the present invention as described and claimed below. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention is a fencing system for confining climbing animals, such as cats. The fencing system uses a plurality of vertical posts that are set in place along a desired fence line. Arch support brackets are provided that attach to the vertical posts. Each arch support bracket has an ascending section that climbs to an apex point and a descending section that descends from that apex point. The vertical posts and the arch support brackets create the rigid supports for the fencing system. 
         [0010]    Flexible netting is suspended between the rigid supports that are created by the vertical posts and the arch support brackets. The flexible netting is supported vertically by the vertical posts. Above the vertical posts, the flexible netting is supported in an ascending angle to an apex point by each ascending section of the arch support brackets. From the apex point, the flexible netting is supported in a descending angle at the free end of the arch support bracket by the descending section. The result is a fence system that cannot be climbed by a pet, yet is nearly transparent. Furthermore, the fence system is inexpensive and easy to install. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following description of exemplary embodiments thereof, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a sampling of the components that create one embodiment of the present invention fence system; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a is a perspective view of a first method step in the installation of the present invention fencing system 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a second method step in the installation of the present invention fencing system; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a fragmented view of a segment of flexible plastic netting used by the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a third method step in the installation of the present invention fencing system; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a side view of an alternate mounting system for the vertical posts of the present invention fencing system. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    Although the present invention fence system can be used to confine any non-flying household pet, such as a dog, it is particularly designed to confine climbing pets, such as cats. Accordingly, when describing the purpose of design for the present invention fence system, it will be described as being used to confine a cat. This is done to present the best mode of use anticipated for the invention. 
         [0019]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a sampling of the components that are the present invention fence system  10 . The number of components used in the fence system  10  is directly proportional to the length of the fence to be erected. Included within the fence system  10  are a plurality of ground anchor sleeves  12 , vertical posts  14 , arch support brackets  16 , flexible plastic netting  18 , metal guard mesh  20 , stakes  22  and cable ties  24 . The purpose and assembly of these components is described below. 
         [0020]    To utilize the fence system  10 , a person must first layout the periphery of where the fence is to be constructed. At the corners of that fence layout and at various points along the fence layout, a person drives ground anchor sleeves  12  into the ground. Referring to  FIG. 2  in conjunction with  FIG. 1 , it can be seen that the ground anchor sleeves  12  are tubular structures having one open end  26  and one closed end  28 . The closed end  28  is pointed to help the ground anchor sleeve  12  be driven into the ground. The length of the ground anchor sleeve  12  can vary depending on the height of the fence being erected and the ground type. Preferably, the ground anchor sleeves  12  are between ten inches and thirty inches in length. 
         [0021]    The ground anchor sleeves  12  are driven into the ground at periodic points along the length of the fence line. A ground anchor sleeve  12  is driven into the ground at all corners of the fence line and at evenly spaced intervals in between those corners The space in between adjacent ground anchor sleeves  12  is preferably between eight feet and sixteen feet. A cap element  30  can be provided that fits over the open end  26  of the ground anchor sleeve  12 . The cap element  30  protects the open end  26  from being damaged when the ground anchor sleeve  12  is driven into the ground by a sledgehammer. 
         [0022]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , in conjunction with  FIG. 1 , it can be seen that after the ground anchor sleeves  12  are driven into the ground, the vertical posts  14  are set into the open end  26  of the ground anchor sleeves  12 . The vertical posts  14  are supported in the vertical plane by the ground anchor sleeves  12 . The vertical posts  14  extend above the ground anchor sleeves  12  by a height of between two feet and eight feet, with the preferred height being between three feet and seven feet. 
         [0023]    Each vertical post has a top end  32  and a bottom end  34 . The bottom ends  34  of the vertical posts  14  are received by the ground anchor sleeves  12 . The top end  32  of each vertical post  14  can be either open or closed. Each of the arch support brackets  16  has a stem section  36  that passes around the top end  32  of a vertical post  14 . A set screw is present in the stem section  36  so the arch support bracket  16  can be locked in place atop the vertical posts  14 . It will therefore be understood that the arch support brackets  16  are separate elements from the vertical posts  14  and can be selectively added or removed from the vertical posts  14 . 
         [0024]    The arch support brackets  16  extend above the vertical posts  14 . Each arch support bracket  16  has an ascending section  38  and a descending or top section  39 . The ascending section  38  extends upwardly to an apex point  40  from the stem section  36 . The ascending section  38  creates an angle A with the vertical plane of between thirty degrees and sixty degrees. 
         [0025]    The descending section  39  extends downwardly from the apex point  40  of the ascending section  38  at close to a right angle. The descending section  39  preferably has a length of no more than half the length of the ascending section  38 . Mounts  42 , in the form of holes or clips, are optionally formed along the length of both the ascending section  38  and the descending section  39 . These mounts  42  are used to connect the flexible netting  18  to the arch support brackets  16  as will later be explained. 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , it can be seen that the flexible netting  18  is a plastic netting comprised of extruded plastic filaments  19 . The plastic filaments are laid out in crisscrossing patterns. The plastic filaments  19  are heat bonded together at intersection points  21 , therein creating the plastic netting  18 . The plastic filaments  19  of the flexible netting  18  intersect at right angles and create netting with square or diamond shaped net openings  23 . The net openings  23  defined by the intersecting plastic filaments  19  are preferably between one inch square and three inches square. 
         [0027]    The plastic used in the creation of the flexible netting  18  is preferably either black or dark green. Accordingly, when the flexible netting  18  is suspended, the actual material of the flexible netting  18  is difficult to see. The flexible netting  18  therefore appears to be absent because of its dark coloring and the large disparity between the net openings  23  of the flexible netting  18  and the small diameter plastic filaments  19  that define those net openings. Accordingly, the structure of the fence provides very little visual obstruction to objects behind the fence. 
         [0028]    In addition to being a dark color, the plastic used to create plastic netting  18  is preferably a plastic polymer such poly vinyl chloride that is highly resistant to weathering and UV light damage. In this manner, the plastic netting  18  can remain outdoors without rotting, breaking or otherwise degrading. 
         [0029]    The plastic nature of the flexible netting  18  is also important in that it will not be eaten by deer, rabbits of other animals. 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 1  in conjunction with  FIG. 5 , it can be seen that the vertical posts  14  and the arch support brackets  16  form the supports of the fence. The flexible plastic netting  18  is rolled across the vertical posts  14  and the arch support brackets  16 . The flexible plastic netting  18  is attached to the vertical posts  14  and the arch support brackets  16  with the use of common cable ties  24 . The cable ties  24  wrap around the vertical posts  14  and the arch support brackets  16  and pass through the mesh of the flexible plastic netting  18 . The cable ties  24  can be advanced through mounts  42  present on the arch support brackets  16  to ensure the cable ties  24  do not move out of place. The use of cable ties  24  is only exemplary and it will be understood that other kinds of binding connectors, such as wrapped wire, tape or string ties can also be used. 
         [0031]    The flexible netting  18  is stretched across the eight to sixteen feet gaps in between vertical posts  14  and arch support brackets  16 . Due to the flexibility of the plastic netting  18  it droops substantially as it spans across the arch support brackets  16 . The flexible plastic netting  18  is therefore relaxed and is not pulled taut and straight at any point in between the arch support brackets  16 . 
         [0032]    Since the flexible plastic netting  18  is only made of plastic, it is possible that an animal can tear or gnaw through the flexible plastic netting  18  and create a hole in the flexible plastic netting  18 . It is also easy for the flexible plastic netting to be accidentally broken if snagged by a chair of passing lawnmower. To help reinforce the flexible plastic netting  18 , a roll of metal guard mesh  20  is provided. The metal guard mesh  20  is a metal mesh that is coated in vinyl or another protective coating. The protective coating on the metal guard mesh  20  is preferably the same dark color as the flexible plastic netting  18 . The metal guard mesh  20  is rolled along the fence, wherein the guard mesh  20  overlaps the bottom of the flexible plastic netting  18  by a few inches. Preferably, the metal guard mesh  20  extends between six inches and two feet above the level of the ground. The metal guard mesh  20  is also bent so that it runs along the ground in front of the flexible netting  18 . 
         [0033]    The guard mesh  20  is anchored to the ground with the ground stakes  22 . The top edge of the guard mesh  20  is attached to the vertical posts  14  and to the flexible netting  18  with cable ties  24  or similar binding connectors. The presence of the guard mesh  20  prevents animals from gnawing or ripping the bottom of the flexible plastic netting  18  or digging under the flexible plastic netting  18 . 
         [0034]    Once fully assembled, the fence system  10  provides multiple deterrents to a climbing animal. First, the mesh of the flexible netting  18  is hard to see. Thus, it is an unsure target when leaped upon. Animals, such as cats, tend only to leap onto surfaces that they can clearly see. Furthermore, if a climbing animal were to climb up onto the flexible plastic netting  18 , the animal would feel that the flexible plastic netting  18  is not rigid, but rather it would sag and sway with the weight of the animal. This would give a climbing animal the sense that they were about to fall, which would cause the animal to leap back to the ground. 
         [0035]    Even if an animal did climb to the apex point  40  of the flexible plastic netting  18 , the animal would have to climb downward and upside down to climb under and around the flexible netting  18  supported by the arch support bracket  16 . It is far more likely that a determined climber would fall back to the ground than be able to successfully complete such a climbing maneuver. 
         [0036]    Thus, the present invention fence system  10  provides a fence that is low cost, easy to install, inexpensive and visually unobtrusive. Yet the present invention fence system provides a formidable barrier to all climbing pets, such as cats. 
         [0037]    In the present invention, ground anchor sleeves  12  are driven into the ground to support the vertical fence posts  14 . However, in ground next to trees, the ground may be gnarled with roots that make the insertion of the ground anchor sleeves  12  difficult. Furthermore, a desired fence path may pass over a paved section of a person&#39;s backyard that is also poorly suited for the use of the ground anchor sleeves  12 . 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIG. 6  an alternate mounting system is shown for the vertical fence posts  14  that can be used when the ground is unsuitable for a ground anchor sleeve. In the embodiment of  FIG. 6 , eyebolts  50  are set into a preexisting object  52 . Although the shown preexisting object is a tree, it will be understood that the preexisting object can be another fence, a house wall, a clothesline pole or the like. The eyebolts  50  are set into the preexisting object  52  in a vertical alignment. 
         [0039]    Once the eyebolts  50  are set into the preexisting object, a vertical post  14  is advanced through the eyebolts  50  and is locked into place with a cable  15  ties. A arch support bracket  16  is then attached to the vertical post  14 . The flexible plastic netting  18  and chew guard mesh  20  are then applied in the manner previously described. 
         [0040]    It will be understood that the embodiments of the present invention fencing system illustrated and described are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art can make many variations and modifications to the shown elements. For example, in the shown embodiment, the arch support brackets have straight ascending arms and straight descending arms. Such a configuration can be replaced with a curved arch support bracket that has an ascending section and a descending section. Furthermore, there are many connector systems that can be used to interconnect the arch support bracket with the vertical post and the vertical post with the ground anchor sleeve. All such variations, modifications and alternate embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as claimed.