Patent Publication Number: US-2021189760-A1

Title: Barrier reinforcement

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Many existing barriers need to be reinforced for a variety of reasons, such as to fill gaps under and between components, to reinforce compromised components, or to prevent animals from passing through, under, or around the barrier. A need exists for a modular reinforcement system that is adaptable to a variety of configurations and uses, can be easily used, maintained, and installed, and provides ready access to the barrier and its surroundings. 
     SUMMARY 
     This disclosure is directed to a modular reinforcement system for fences, barriers, enclosures and other structures. The modular reinforcement system includes a first panel and a second panel, wherein the first panel is hingedly connected to the second panel, and wherein the first panel is capable of being hingedly connected to an external barrier or surface. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing summary as well as the following detailed description will be better understood when reviewed in conjunction with the appended drawings. It should be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. Further, the components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale and do not depict all potential variations of the claimed invention. In some drawings, certain components have not been portrayed in detail so as not to obscure the related relevant feature being depicted. 
         FIG. 1  is front perspective view of an exemplary arrangement of the modular reinforcement system. 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of an exemplary arrangement of the modular reinforcement system. 
         FIG. 3  is a partial view of the exemplary arrangement of the modular reinforcement system as depicted in  FIG. 1  detailing a hinged connection between the panels. 
         FIG. 4  depicts a partial exploded view of the exemplary arrangement of the modular reinforcement system as depicted in  FIG. 2 , detailing a hinged connection between the panels. 
         FIG. 5  depicts a front perspective view of a coiled wire used to create the hinged connection depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  depicts a bottom perspective view of a coiled wire used to create the hinged connection depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  depicts a side perspective view of a coiled wire used to create the hinged connection depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8  depicts a bottom perspective view of a coiled wire used to create the hinged connection depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 9A  depicts an exemplary barrier installed on a surface. 
         FIG. 9B  depicts an exemplary arrangement of the modular reinforcement system installed on a barrier. 
         FIG. 9C  depicts an exemplary arrangement of the modular reinforcement system installed on a barrier, detailing the movement of the panels from a first position depicted in  FIG. 9B  to a second position depicted in  FIG. 9C . 
         FIG. 10A  is a partial view of an exemplary modular reinforcement system installed on a barrier, detailing a hinged connection between a panel and a barrier. 
         FIG. 10B  is a partial view of an exemplary modular reinforcement system installed on barrier, detailing a hinged connection between a panel and a barrier. 
         FIG. 11A  is a partial view of an exemplary modular reinforcement system installed on a barrier, detailing a connection between a panel and a surface. 
         FIG. 11B  is a partial view of an exemplary modular reinforcement system installed on a barrier, detailing a connection between a panel and a surface. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure may be understood more readily by reference to the figures and the following detailed description. In some instances, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention described herein. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the invention described herein can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the related relevant feature being described. 
     The present disclosure concerns a movable, modular reinforcement system for fences, barriers, enclosures, structures, or other similar isolating devices, all of which are referred to herein as a barrier. The modular reinforcement system can be used to reinforce and cover gaps in and around such barriers. As used herein, and unless otherwise specified, the word “gap” includes, but is not limited to, voids, openings, holes, slits, breaches, apertures, and all synonyms thereof, and any other openings that might allow for the unwanted ingress or egress of animals. 
     Existing alternatives for repairing and reinforcing barriers are cumbersome, difficult to install, require specialized tools, and/or must be cut to fit the area of concern. When installed, these existing alternatives block access to the underlying barrier and/or the surface on which the barrier is installed, preventing the user from conducting routine maintenance without first removing or partially removing the reinforcement. The present disclosure provides a moveable, modular system that is easy to install using ordinary household tools. The modular nature of the system enables the user to combine various components of the system as needed, without first cutting the components to fit the area of concern. The modular nature of the system further permits the user to utilize only those components necessary for the particular application. The modular nature of the system permits the system to address a variety of gaps in, under and around barriers. The hinged connections between the panels of the modular system and the panels of the modular system and the underlying barrier permit a user to easily and quickly access the underlying barrier or surface for maintenance and repair without first removing or partially removing the components installed in unaffected areas. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 1 , the modular reinforcement system includes two or more panels  10 , at least one coiled wire  11 , and a staple  12 . Each panel  10  has a front surface, a back surface, a top edge  15 , a bottom edge  16 , a first side  17  and a second side  18 . 
       FIG. 1  depicts a first panel  10   a  that is hingedly connected to a second panel  10   b . In the depicted arrangement, bottom edge  16   a  of panel  10   a  is hingedly connected to top edge  15   b  of panel  10   b  by coiled wires  11 . Although  FIG. 1  depicts two panels connected in a vertical arrangement in which sides  17   a  and  18   a  of panel  10   a  are substantially aligned with sides  17   b  and  18   b  of panel  10   b , an unlimited number of additional panels may be hingedly connected to one another in a variety of configurations depending upon the needs of the user. For example, as depicted in  FIG. 9B , panel  10   b  is hingedly connected to panel  10   a , panel  10   c , and panel  10   e . The hinged connection between a first panel  10  and a second panel  10  allows a range of motion of the first panel about the hinged connection relative to the second panel of at least 90 degrees, preferably 180 degrees, and, in some embodiments, approximately 360 degrees. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1  and illustrated further in  FIG. 10B , staple  12  may be used to connect one or more panels  10  to an external barrier  90 . In the figures, staple  12  is substantially U-shaped. Staple  12  may take any shape suitable to secure one or more panels  10  to external barrier  90 . In  FIGS. 1 and 10B , panel  10   a  is arranged such that top edge  15   a  of panel  10   a  contacts external barrier  90 . Staple  12  partially surrounds top edge  15   a  of panel  10   a  while engaging barrier  90 , forming the hinged connection between panel  10   a  and barrier  90 . 
       FIG. 10A  depicts an example of the modular reinforcement system in which the hinged connection between a panel  10  and barrier  90  is formed by one or more screws  13  and one or more brackets  14 . As depicted in  FIG. 10A , panel  10  is arranged such that top edge  15  of panel  10  contacts external barrier  90 . Bracket  14  is substantially U-shaped. Bracket  14  engages and partially surrounds top edge  15  of panel  10 , such that bracket  14  contacts barrier  90  on either side of the top edge  15  of panel  10 . Screw  13  passes through bracket  14  to engage barrier  90 , creating the hinged connection between panel  10  and barrier  90 . As will be evident to one of skill in the art, a variety of mechanisms, including but not limited to hinges, U-bolts, U-connectors staples, cable ties, chains, nails, hooks, screws, hooks and eyes, eyescrews, clamps, ties, rings, clasps, or other fastening devices known in the art may be used to hingedly connect one or more panels  10  to barrier  90  depending upon the application and the composition of the barrier. 
     The hinged connection between a panel  10  and barrier  90  allows a range of motion of the first panel about the hinged connection relative to barrier  90  of at least 90 degrees, preferably 180 degrees, and, in some embodiments, approximately 360 degrees. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1  and illustrated further in  FIGS. 11A and 11B , a stake  19  may be used to secure one or more panels  10  to a surface  91 . As depicted in  FIG. 1  and as further detailed in  FIG. 11B , panel  10   b  is arranged such that panel  10   b  contacts surface  91 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 11B , stake  19  engages and partially surrounds the bottom edge  16   b  of panel  10   b , such that stake  19  engages surface  91  on either side of bottom edge  16   b  of panel  10   b . Although stake  19  is depicted as substantially U-shaped in  FIGS. 1 and 11B , it will be evident to one of skill in the art that stake  19  can be any shape that would enable stake  19  to secure a panel  10  to surface  91 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 11A , stake  19  may be substantially L-shaped. Although the figures depict stake  19  as being located at the bottom edge  16   b  of panel  10   b , it will be evident to one of skill in the art that the stake  19  may be placed in any location in which it engages both panel  10  and surface  91 . It will further be evident to one of skill in the art that, although the figures depict panels  10  being secured by stakes  19 , panels  10  can also be secured to surface  91  by any suitable mechanism, including anchors, weights, staples, nails, hooks, screws, hooks and eyes, eyescrews, clamps, ties, rings, clasps, or other fastening devices known in the art. The mechanism for securing a panel  10  to a surface  91  can be integrated with or separate from the panel  10 . In one example, the weight of the panel  10  alone is sufficient to secure the panel  10  to surface  91 . 
     As depicted in  FIG. 1  and further illustrated by  FIGS. 3 and 9B , the hinged connection between panels  10  may be created by a component that is separate from panels  10 . For example, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the panels  10  may be hingedly connected by coiled wire  11 . As shown in detail in  FIG. 3 , coiled wire  11  engages and wraps around both the bottom edge  16   a  of panel  10   a  and the top edge  15   b  of panel  10   b , forming a hinged connection between panel  10   a  and panel  10   b . The coiled wire  11  can be made of metal, a combination of metal and plastic, or any suitable material that would allow the coiled wire  11  to engage and create a hinged connection between panel  10   a  and panel  10   b . While  FIGS. 1, 3, and 9B  depict a hinged connection formed by a coiled wire  11 , it will be evident to one of skill in the art that the hinged connection may also include any structural component capable of hingedly connecting one or more panels  10 , including but not limited to a ring, a chain, a cable tie, a clamp, a clasp, or any other device suitable for forming a hinged connection between one or more panels  10 . 
       FIGS. 2 and 4  illustrate another hinged connection between the panels  10 . In the figures, the modular reinforcement system includes two or more panels  10 , screw  22  and nut  23 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , panel  10   f  has a top edge  15   f , a bottom edge  16   f , a first side  17   f , a second side  18   f , and at least one tab  20   f  having at least one hole  21   f  disposed therein. Panel  10   g  has a top edge  15   g , a bottom edge  16   g , a first side  17   g , a second side  18   g , and at least one tab  20   g  having at least one hole  21   g  disposed therein. As depicted in the figures, each tab  20  may be located approximately at or near the top edge  15  or the bottom edge  16  of panel  10 . 
     As depicted in  FIG. 2 , panels  10   f  and  10   g  are aligned such that at least one hole  21   f  of at least one tab  20   f  of panel  10   f  is aligned with at least one hole  21   g  of at least one tab  20   g  of panel  10   g . As illustrated in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 4 , screw  22  passes through hole  21   g , hole  21 F, and nut  23 , completing the hinged connection between panel  10   f  and  10   g . Although the figures depict the hinged connection as being formed in part by tabs  20  integrated with the panels  10 , it will be evident to one of skill in the art that any one of a number of alternative integrated components, such as a tube or a ring, could be used to form part of the hinged connection between panels  10 . Similarly, although the figures depict a hinged connection between the panels  10  formed in part by screw  22  and nut  23 , it will be evident to those of skill in the art that the hinged connection could be completed by any one of a number of alternatives, including, for example, a pin, a chain, a cable tie, or any other mechanism capable of completing the hinged connection between the panels  10 . 
     The panels  10  are movable and modular, such that they can be arranged in a variety of configurations depending upon the barrier with which they are used. Although the figures depict panels  10  made primarily out of wire arranged in a grid, panels  10  can be manufactured from any material suitable for a particular application. The degree of rigidity of panels  10  may vary from application to application. Accordingly, panels  10  may be manufactured from a plurality of materials including, but not limited to: a rigid metal, hard plastic mesh, flexible metal or plastic mesh, a synthetic mesh or netting, or combinations thereof. In certain instances, it may be desirable for the panels  10  to have a rigid frame on the top, bottom, and sides of the panels  10 , while the interior of the panels  10  is composed primarily of a mesh or netting, as depicted in  FIG. 2 . 
     One or more types of panels  10  can be used in combination, allowing the system to be adapted for use in connection with a variety of terrains, surfaces, and barriers, as well as for the containment or exclusion of a variety of animals. The panels  10  may have a height of 7.5 inches and a width of 18 inches. In another example, the panels  10  have a height of 6 inches and a width of 18 inches. In still another example, the panels  10  have a height of 6 inches and a width of 24 inches. In yet another example, the panels  10  have a height of 7.5 inches and a width of 24 inches. 
     As shown in  FIG. 9A through 9C , the panels  10  can be connected and utilized in a variety of ways.  FIG. 9A  depicts a barrier  90  installed on surface  91 , wherein the barrier  90  and surface  91  have gaps  92 .  FIG. 9B  shows an exemplary arrangement of panels  10  in which panels  10   a  through  10   e  and panels  10   h  through  10   m  have been arranged to cover gaps  92 . In  FIG. 9B , panel  10   b  is hingedly connected to panels  10   a ,  10   c , and  10   e . Panel  10   d  is hingedly connected to panel  10   e . Panel  10   i  is hingedly connected to panels  10   h  and  10   j . Panel  10   l  is hingedly connected to panel  10   k  and panel  10   m.    
     As shown in the figures, panels  10  may be hingedly connected to barrier  90 . In  FIG. 9B , panels  10   a ,  10   d ,  10   h  and  10   k  are hingedly connected to barrier  90  by staples  12 . The hinged connections between the panels  10 , and the hinged connections between the panels  10  and barrier  90 , enable movement of the panels  10  from a first position depicted in  FIG. 9B  to a second position depicted in  FIG. 9C . For example, the hinged connection between panel  10   b  and panel  10   c  allows a user to lift panel  10   c  from a first position in  FIG. 9B  to a second position in  FIG. 9C  without impacting panels  10   a  and  10   b . The hinged connections between panels  10   h  and  10   i , between panels  10   i  and  10   j , and between panel  10   h  and barrier  90  enable a user to lift panels  10   h ,  10   i  and  10   j  from a first position depicted in  FIG. 9B  to a second position depicted in  FIG. 9C . As demonstrated by  FIGS. 9B and 9C , the hinged connection between panels  10  enable the user to access barrier  90  and surface  91 . 
     The hinged connection between two panels  10  and the hinged connection between a panel  10  and a barrier  90  may be disassembled by hand to allow access to barrier  90  or surface  91  without impacting other panels  10 . For example, in  FIG. 9C , the staples  12  have been removed from panel  10   d , allowing panel  10   d  to be moved from a first position depicted in  FIG. 9B  to a second position in  FIG. 9C . This enables the user to easily access the underlying barrier  90  and surface  91  for purposes such as maintenance and repair without impacting the components installed in unaffected areas. 
     The modular nature of the panels  10  allows for simple and customizable installation. The modular nature of the panels  10  further allows for a single panel  10  or multiple panels  10  to reinforce a limited area, or for multiple panels  10  in combination to reinforce a larger area. 
     In addition to combining panels  10  in the manner depicted in the figures, multiple panels  10  can be placed or connected side-by-side to cover a given length of a barrier  90  or surface  91 . Additional panels  10  can be placed so as to cover as much or little of surface  91  or barrier  90  as necessary. 
     While various aspects, implementations, structures, devices, systems, methods, and techniques for the disclosed modular reinforcement system have been described and/or illustrated herein, such descriptions and illustrations are presented by way of example and are not to be limited to the precise descriptions and illustrations. Accordingly, numerous modifications and variations are possible by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope hereof, as defined by the following and later-submitted claims and their equivalents. As such, the foregoing description merely enables and describes the general uses and methods of the present invention. The breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the implementations and illustrations described herein, but should be defined only in accordance with the following and later-submitted claims and their equivalents. Accordingly, the following claims define the true scope of the present invention.