Patent Publication Number: US-6669175-B2

Title: Tile type fencing insert

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable. 
     BACKGROUND—FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to inserts for chain link fences to provide privacy, decoration, or signage, particularity to a tile type insert that covers a fence cell and portions of the adjoining fence cells. 
     BACKGROUND—DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART 
     Chain link fences are formed from flattened helixes of wire that are interwoven to provide a laterally-projecting fence fabric with diamond shaped meshes or cells. The fence fabric is stretched and supported across posts to provide a fence. Chain link fences are very common due to their low cost and robust nature. However, the visually open mesh fabric provides little privacy or surface to decorate. There are multiple patents related to adding devices to the fence to improve privacy, decorate, or place signage. 
     The diamond shaped mesh of a chain link fences allows slats to be inserted or woven into the fence in a vertical, horizontal, or diagonal direction. U.S. Pat. No. 1,058,274 to Tirapani shows slats installed in the same type of mesh fabric used in chain link fences. U.S. Pat. No. 2,760,759 to Rice shows vertical and diagonal slats and mentions horizontal slats in fences to improve appearance and privacy. With both patents there are visual gaps and limited design flexibility to decorate or generate signage. U.S. Pat. No. 5,775,676 to Hoggan is an example of a method to improve the visual privacy of slats, fins are added to a slat. The patent also lacks design flexibility to decorate or generate signage. U.S. Pat. No. 2,954,964 to O&#39;Haffey shows a diagonal slat with notches to fit around and be secured by the wire crossovers or knuckles of the fence. Again the diagonal and strip-like nature of these fence inserts limits the design flexibility to decorate or generate signage. 
     There are multiple patents to add tile type elements or inserts to a wire mesh or grid to provide great flexibility in changing color and distribution of inserts. This allows words, signage, logos, or decorations to be formed. Tile type element or insert here means an insert with the greatest horizontal dimension of the same magnitude as the greatest vertical dimension and multiple tile type elements can form an image. While not intend to form signage U.S. Pat. No. 416,826 to Cooper has a wire fabric with attachments or inserts to cover a building side. The attachments have only one point of attachment to the fence and thus are not secured well against wind. U.S. Pat. 507,952 to White uses spheres or marbles insert into a flexible wire mesh to form signage. The wire mesh must be a different design than a chain link and only sphere type shaped inserts may be used. U.S. Pat. No. 1,064,897 to Gabet has a wire mesh with snap in insert to form signage. The inserts use the straight portions of the fence wire to locate on and secure to not the wire cross-over area. The inserts are of complex three-dimensional shapes, therefore the inserts are not cheap and do not have a compact shape for ease of shipping. U.S. Pat. No. 1,575,409 to Blaeser provides a nameplate insert that occupies several cells of a fence. These inserts are partially held in place by the wire cross-over area but also use a staple or fastener secure the name plate insert. These inserts are not suitable for forming an image due to their irregular shape. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,774,884 to Singer shows a tile type insert to cover one cell. The insert is square in shape with tabs that are bend over the straight section of fence wire. The insert is time consuming to install or remove, three tabs must be bent or unbent. The insert aligns with the fence wire thus presenting a tilted square or diamond shape. U.S. Pat. No. 3,964,197 to Tucker et al shows a square insert with three tongues on each of two opposite sides of the insert. The middle tongue is pre-bent downward. The insert is also pre-bent around an axis that is at right angles to the insert side with tongues. The insert is temporarily bent by hand, the tongues are fit around straights sections of fence wire, then the insert is allowed to expand securing the insert to the fence wire. Tongues of adjoining inserts can interfere with each other requiring a variation of the normal insertion method. Pre-bending increases the insert&#39;s manufacturing cost. The insert generally aligns with the fence wire thus presenting a tilted square or diamond shape. There is no method to accurately control the side-to-side position or twist of the insert causing an irregular appearance unless care and adjustments are taken. Visual blockage is not complete. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,651,975 to Howell shows solid block inserts with a groove that fits around a straight section of fence wire. The blocks are secured to the fence wire by a cross wire that also extends to adjoining block to prevent rotation. The required cross wire makes installation and removal of the block time consuming. The insert aligns with the fence wire thus presenting a tilted square or diamond shape. Visual blockage is not complete. U.S. Pat. No. 5,177,890 to Hisatomi et al shows insert flaps of square material that hang on horizontal wires of a wire mesh. These inserts will only work with the horizontal wire of a wire mesh or wire fence. A chain link mesh does not have horizontal wires. U.S. Pat. No. 5,342,021 to Watson shows a round insert that clamps around the wire cross-over area of a chain link fence. The complicated three dimensional shape of these inserts increase their cost and do not allow compact shipping. 
     Plastic and paper cups are often inserted into a fence to form words. The cups lack design and color flexibility. The cups degrade in outdoor weather and are easily knocked out of the fence. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with the present invention a tile type fencing insert comprises a rectangular sheet of flexible and resilient material with notches at the midpoint of each side. The rectangular sheet and notches are sized to allow placement within one cell of a chain link fence with portions of the sheet extending into adjoining cells. 
     Object and Advantages 
     An object of present invention is to allow great flexibility in the arrangement and color of inserts, where words, logos, advertisements, detailed decoration, or art may be formed in a chain link fence. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide almost complete visual blockage in a chain link fence. 
     Yet another object is to provide inserts that are low cost and compact, allowing compact shipping and storage. 
     A further object of the present invention is to allow easy modification. Corners can be easily cutoff or shaped for greater design flexibility. Printed material may be adhered to the insert for additional visual effects. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide accurate and rigid location of the insert. 
     The above objects of the invention can be accomplished by a rectangular sheet of flexible and resilient material (such as plastic) with notches at the midpoint of each side. The insert is temporarily bent by hand then inserted into a fence cell. Allowing the insert to straighten locates the notches around the wire crossover at each corner of the cell. The insert covers the cell and portions of the adjoining cells. 
    
    
     DRAWING FIGURES 
     FIG. 1 is a front view of the preferred embodiment 
     FIG. 2 is a front view of a portion of a prior art chain link fence 
     FIG. 3 is a front view of a portion of a prior art chain link fence with an insert installed 
     FIG. 4 is a side view of a portion of chain link fence with one insert installed 
     FIG. 5 is an isometric side view of a portion of chain link fence with one insert installed 
     FIG. 6 is a cross section about through the mid-plane of a chain link fence with one insert installed showing how insert notches fit around wire crossovers 
     FIG. 7 is a front view of a medium sized portion of chain link fence with several inserts installed 
     FIG. 8A is a front view of an alternative embodiment showing angled side notches 
     FIG. 8B is a front view of an alternative embodiment showing asymmetric notches 
     FIG. 8C is a front view of an alternative embodiment showing straight sided notches 
     FIG. 8D is a front view of an alternative embodiment showing slits extending away from notches 
     FIGS. 9A through 9F are front views of alternative embodiments showing various edge modifications of inserts 
     FIG. 10 is an isometric view of a temporarily bent insert being installed into a portion of a chain link fence 
     FIGS. 11A through 11D are front views of alternative embodiments showing various corner modifications of inserts 
     FIG. 12 shows inserts forming the word “GO” in a fence 
    
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS 
       10  rectangular sheet 
       12  chain link fence 
       14  formed wire 
       16  straight wire section 
       18  90 degree helix bend 
       20  wire crossover 
       22  cell 
       24  side notch 
       25  vertical edge 
       26  chamfer 
       27  top edge 
       28  end notch 
       29  bottom edge 
       30  angled sides 
       32  chamfered corner 
       34  asymmetric angled sides 
       36  straight sides 
       38  cutoff corner 
       40  slit 
       42  rounded corner 
       44  cutoff side 
       46  projected corner 
       48  stellated corner 
       50  projected rounded corner 
       52  rectangular insert 
       54  cut corner insert 
       56  two cut corner insert 
     DESCRIPTION 
     FIGS. 1 and 2 Preferred Embodiment 
     FIG. 1 is a front view of the insert. The insert is a rectangular shaped flat sheet  10 . FIG. 2 shows the front view of a portion of a chain link fence  12 . Chain link fence  12  is prior art and consists of formed wires  14 . Each formed wire  14  is a repeating pattern of a straight wire section  16  then a 90 degree helix bend  18  then an another straight section  16  then another 90 degree helix bend  18  then the pattern repeats. Formed wire  14  looks approximately like a flattened helix. Formed wires  14  are woven together to form a chain link fence  12 . Wires  14  cross at the middle of each 90 degree helix bend  18 . These wire crossovers  20  define the corners of the diamond shaped cell pattern  22  of a chain link fence. The insert in FIG. 1 completely covers one cell and portions of adjoining cells. FIG. 3 shows a front view of an insert installed in a chain link fence  12 . FIG. 4 shows the side view and FIG. 5 shows an isometric view. 
     FIG. 1 shows side notches  24  located at about the midpoint of the vertical edges  25  of the insert. Corners of the side notches  24  have chamfers  26  to allow easier installation. End notches  28  are located at about the midpoint of the top edge  27  and bottom edge  29  of the insert. Angled sides  30  of the end notches  28  allow easier installation. Chamfered corners  32  are provided to allow easier installation and reduce chances of poking or harming a finger or hand. 
     Insert width and height are the width and height of the cell  22  plus an additional amount. The additional amount is sufficient to allow side notches  24  and end notches  28  to extend around wire crossovers  20  located at the corners of the cell  22 . Also the additional amount of insert width and height allow overlap with adjoining inserts. Overlap provides complete visual blockage and reduces finger pinching from adjoining inserts. Finger pinching may occur when a finger is forced between the juncture of two inserts. 
     FIG. 3 shows the insert in a portion of a fence. Side slots  24  and end slots  28  fit around fence wires  14  at their wire crossover  20  and locate and secure the insert in the chain link fence  12 . FIG. 4 is a side view of the insert in a portion of a fence  12  showing the insert located at about the mid-plane of the fence  12 . FIG. 6 is a cross section approximately through the mid-plane of a fence showing how side slots  24  and end slots  28  fit around wire crossovers  20 . 
     Installation into the fence may be accomplished by bending two opposite corners of the insert together, placing the corners into a cell  22 , as shown in FIG. 10, then allowing the insert to straighten. Sheet  10  material is flexible and resilient, such as plastic. Material yield strength, elastic modulus, and thickness are such to allow bending to install the insert without permanent deformation of the insert. Greater sheet  10  thickness requires lower elastic modulus and/or higher yield strength. Greater sheet  10  elastic modulus requires higher yield strength and/or less thickness. 
     FIG. 7 shows several inserts installed in a fence  12 . Overlapping inserts are shown. Overlap is possible due to sheet  10  material being flexible and resilent. 
     FIGS. 8A thru  8 D Additional Embodiments 
     FIGS. 8A thru  8 D show several different notch treatments. FIG. 8A shows an insert with angled sides  30  on the side notches. This allows easier insertion into a fence. FIG. 8B shows an insert with asymmetric angled sides  34 . This allows easier insertion into a fence while maintaining more contact with the wire crossovers than the insert shown in FIG.  8 A. FIG. 8C shows an insert with notches that have straight sides  36 . The insert will be more rigidly located however it will be more difficult to install. As can be seen by the variety of these examples notches may have a variety of shapes. They may also have curved sides, rounded ends, chamfered ends or any other configuration that allows the insert to fit around the wire cross over. 
     FIG. 8D shows notches with slits  40  extending away from the side notch  24  and end notch  28 . This allows additional flexibility of the insert where it contacts the wire crossovers  20 . Therefore the side of the notches can have more contact with the wire crossovers  20 . Allowing a more controlled location of the insert, greater allowance for variation in fence and insert dimensions, and closing the small visual gaps that remain. 
     FIGS. 9A through 9F and  11 A through  11 D Alternative Embodiments 
     Inserts can also be non-rectangular. Inserts can have cutoff corners  38  such as shown in FIGS. 9A,  9 B, and  9 C. Inserts can have rounded corners  42  as shown in FIG.  9 F. Inserts can have a cutoff side  44  as shown in FIGS. 9D and 9E. As long as three notches remain the insert can be secured in a fence. Corners can be extended. FIG. 11A shows an insert with projected corners  46 . FIG. 11B shows an insert with stellated corners  48 . FIG. 11C shows an insert with projected rounded corners  50 . FIG. 11D shows an insert with a mix of corners including a preferred embodiment corner. Again, corners or edges can be modified by cutting, trimming, or even extending as long as at least three notches remain. 
     FIG. 12 shows inserts forming the word “GO” in a fence. Three shapes of inserts are used, a rectangular insert  52 , a cut corner insert  54 , and a two cut corner insert  56 . The rectangular insert  52  has four straight edges such as shown in FIG.  1 . The cut corner insert  54  has one corner cut off such as shown in FIG.  9 A. The two cut corner insert  56  has two corner cut off such as shown in FIG.  9 B. 
     ADVANTAGES 
     The tile like nature of this insert allows great flexibility in design of signage and decoration with simultaneous visual blockage using a chain link fence. 
     CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS AND SCOPE 
     Accordingly, the reader will see that the fence insert of this invention can be used to cost effectively provide visual privacy, decoration, signage, or a combination of these effects using a chain link fence for the supporting structure. The flat shape allows compact shipping and easy manufacture, this allows cost effective supply of a variety of colors and configurations. The installation of the inserts at the mid-plane of the fence provides a robust and accurate locating method. The inserts are not easily dislodged by the wind, a thrown ball or rock, or a kick. Accurate location provides a uniform flat surface, which greatly assists decoration or signage. Also, an array of installed inserts can be further painted or decorated with laminations to provide more detail or variation in design. The ability to overlap and overlay inserts provides a method to decorate or sign over other inserts. So, the far side of a fence can display a completely different image than shown on the near side. 
     Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. For example an insert can have any polygon shape as long as three or four edges have notches that fit around the wire crossovers. The polygon edges can be extended to protrude or be rounded or curved as long as the edges do not interfere with other wire crossovers. As can be seen a wide variety of insert shapes are possible. Thus the scope of the inventions should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than the examples given.