Patent Abstract:
A plurality of interlocking panels is provided. A panel assembly comprises a plurality of generally rectangular panel members assembled in interlocking relationship. Each panel member has a substantially flat planar main body and two side edges that interconnect with adjacent panel members. After the panels are interlocked together, the interlocking components on the inner walls of the side edges are covered by the smooth outer walls of the side edges. The panels may be used to fabricate a fence.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to the field of fences, and more specifically to the field of interlocking fence panels. 
       BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    A fence constructed of interlocking fence panels is provided. A panel assembly comprises a plurality of generally rectangular panel members assembled in interlocking relationship. Each panel member has a substantially flat planar main body and two side edges that interconnect with adjacent panel members. After the panels are interlocked together, the interlocking components on the inner walls of the side edges are covered by the smooth outer walls of the side edges. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]    The present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. 
           [0004]      FIG. 1  depicts a first and second fence panel member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is cross-sectional view of a fence panel member according to according to the embodiment depictured in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged detail view taken along detail view “A” of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged detail view taken along detail view “B” of  FIG. 1   
           [0008]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the first and second fence panel members of  FIG. 1  as the members are entering a position to be joined together. 
           [0009]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the first and second fence panel members of  FIG. 5  as they are coming into contact with one another. 
           [0010]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged detail view taken along detail view “C” of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the first and second fence panel members of  FIG. 6  as they are being further joined together. 
           [0012]      FIG. 9  is an enlarged detail view taken along detail view “D” of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the first and second fence panel members of  FIG. 8  in a fully engaged position. 
           [0014]      FIG. 11  is an enlarged detail view taken along detail view “E” of  FIG. 10 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of the first and second fence panel members of  FIG. 10  in the fully engaged position. 
           [0016]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a partial fence portion comprised of a plurality of panel members according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0017]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the partial fence portion of  FIG. 13 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    The present invention and its advantages are best understood by referring to the drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the invention. 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of a first panel member  100  and a second panel member  200 , each of which panel members is comprised of an identical fence panel  10 . In this regard, the second panel member  200  is flipped and rotated such that it is mateable with the first panel member  100 , as further discussed herein. 
         [0020]    The first panel member  100  comprises a first ramping edge  13   a  and a first restraining edge  14   a.  The second panel member  200  comprises a second ramping edge  13   b  and a second restraining edge  14   b.  The first ramping edge  13   a  is substantially similar to the second ramping edge  13   b,  and the first restraining edge  14   a  is substantially similar to the second restraining edge  14   b.  The first restraining edge  14   a  is mateable with the second ramping edge  13   b  to connect the first and second panel members  100  and  200  together, as further discussed herein. A ramping edge (not shown) of a subsequent panel member (not shown) is mateable with the restraining edge  14   b  of the second panel member  200 . In this manner, a plurality of panel members may be connected together to form a fence (not shown) or other similar structure. 
         [0021]    Each of the panel members  100  and  200  is rectangularly shaped in the illustrated embodiment and has a straight top edge  44  and bottom edge  45 , a length “L” and a width “W.” The lengths “L” may be any length desired by a user, and in one embodiment is six feet long for a standard privacy fence. The width “W” may be any width, and in one embodiment is substantially 6.35 inches wide. 
         [0022]      FIG. 2  depicts a cross-sectional view of the fence panel  10  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The panel  10  comprises a generally squared off “C”-shaped panel with an outer panel surface  11 , an inner panel surface  12 , a ramping edge  13  that forms one “leg” of the C-shape, and a restraining edge  14  that forms the other “leg” of the C-shape. (Refer to  FIGS. 3 and 4  for a more detailed view of the edges  13  and  14 .) The cross-section as illustrated is generally uniform for the length of the panel  10 . In one embodiment, the panel  10  is fabricated from extruded aluminum, though other materials and processes could be used. In one embodiment, the wall thickness of the panel is 0.065 inches. 
         [0023]    The ramping edge  13  and the restraining edge  14  extend generally perpendicularly from the panel inner panel surface  12 . The ramping edge  13  extends from the panel  10  generally further than the restraining edge extends, and in one embodiment the ramping edge extends 0.914 inches and the restraining edge extends 0.755 inches. 
         [0024]    In the illustrated embodiment, the panel  10  further comprises recesses  34  which are indentations in the outer surfaces of the panel. The recesses  34  add texture to the panel  10  to simulate a wood finish. 
         [0025]      FIG. 3  depicts an enlarged cross-sectional view of the ramping edge  13  of the panel  10 , and more specifically the portion of the panel  10  designated as detail “A” in  FIG. 2 . The ramping edge  13  of the panel  10  comprises a leg  35  that extends the length “L” ( FIG. 1 ) of the panel  10  substantially perpendicularly from the inner panel surface  12 . The leg  35  has an outer surface  28 , an inner surface  36 , an outside edge  20 , a hook portion  19 , an inner corner  15 , and a ramp portion  16 . The outer surface  28  comprises a generally flat surface that is substantially perpendicular to the inner panel surface  12 . The outer surface  28  further comprises recesses  34  that add texture to the panel  10 . 
         [0026]    The outside edge  20  comprises a generally flat surface that extends down the length of the panel  10 . The outside edge  20  is substantially parallel to the inner panel surface  12 . 
         [0027]    The hook portion  19  extends from the inner surface  36  of the leg  35  and also extends the length “L” ( FIG. 1 ) of the panel  10 . The hook portion  19  is substantially semi-circular and is concavely oriented toward the outer panel surface  11 . The hook portion  19  comprises an inner hook surface  31  and an angled portion  18 . The inner hook surface  31  is a concavely rounded surface that mates with the restraining edge  14  ( FIG. 4 ) of another panel  10 , as further discussed herein. The angled portion  18  is a surface that transitions from the inner surface  36  of the leg  35  to the inner hook surface  31 , as further discussed herein. 
         [0028]    The corner  15  is disposed at the juncture of the inner surface  12  of the panel  10  and the inner surface  36  of the leg  35 . The ramp  16  comprises a ramping surface  37  that extends at an angle from the inner surface  12  of the panel  10 . The ramping surface  37  terminates at a platform  17 . The platform  17  is substantially parallel to the inner surface  12  of the panel  10 . A wall  26  extends substantially perpendicularly to the inner surface  12  of the panel  10  and joins the inner surface  12  to the platform  17 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 4  depicts an enlarged cross-sectional view of the restraining edge  14  of the panel  10 , and more specifically the portion of the panel  10  designated as detail “B” in  FIG. 2 . The restraining edge  14  comprises a leg  38  that extends the length “L” ( FIG. 1 ) of the panel  10  substantially perpendicularly from the inner panel surface  12 . The leg  38  has an outer surface  25 , an inner surface  39 , an outside edge  27 , a hook portion  24 , a ledge wall  21 , and a wall stop  22 . The outer surface  25  comprises a generally flat surface that is substantially perpendicular to the inner panel surface  12 . The outer surface  25  further comprises recesses  34  that add texture to the panel  10 . 
         [0030]    The outside edge  27  comprises a generally flat surface that extends the length “L” ( FIG. 1 ) of the panel  10 . The outside edge  27  is substantially parallel to the inner panel surface  12 . 
         [0031]    The hook portion  24  extends from the inner surface  39  of the leg  38  and also extends the length “L” ( FIG. 1 ) of the panel  10 . The hook portion  24  is semi-circular and is concavely oriented towards the outer panel surface  11 . The hook portion  24  comprises an inner hook surface  32  and an angled portion  30 . The inner hook surface  32  is a concavely rounded surface that mates with the inner hook surface  31  ( FIG. 3 ) of the ramping edge  13  ( FIG. 3 ). The angled portion  30  is a surface that transitions from the inner surface  39  of the leg  38  to the inner hook surface  32 , as further discussed herein. 
         [0032]    The ledge wall  21  extends substantially perpendicularly from the inner surface  12  of the panel  10  and extends the length “L” ( FIG. 1 ) of the panel  10 . The wall stop  22  extends at an angle from the inner surface  12  of the panel and defines a recess  23  between the wall stop  22  and the ledge wall  21 . 
         [0033]      FIGS. 5-10  illustrate the mating of the two panel members  100  and  200 .  FIG. 5  depicts a cross-sectional view of the first panel member  100  and the second panel member  200  just prior to mating of the two panels together. In assembly, a user (not shown) moves the restraining edge  14   a  of the first panel member  100  toward the second panel member  200  in the direction indicated by directional arrow  101 , and moves the ramping edge  13   b  of the second panel member  200  toward the restraining edge of the first panel member  100  in the direction indicated by directional arrow  102 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 6  depicts a cross-sectional view of the first panel member  100  contacting the second panel member  200  prior to mating of the two panels. In this regard, the restraining edge  14   a  of the first panel member  100  is in contact with the ramping edge  13   b  of the second panel member  200 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 7  depicts an enlarged view of the contacting portions of panel members  100  and  200  as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , and more specifically the portions of the panel members  100  and  200  designated as detail “C.” The outside edge  27  of the leg  38  on the panel member  100  is positioned adjacent the corner  15  of the ramping edge of the panel member  200 . This position allows the hook portion  24  of the first panel member  100  the clearance to mate with the hook portion  19  of the second member  200  (as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 ). After the first and second panel members  100  and  200  are in the position illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the second panel member  200  may be rotated in the direction indicated by reference arrow  103  to continue the mating process. 
         [0036]      FIG. 8  depicts a cross-sectional view of the first panel member  100  further connecting to the second panel member  200 .  FIG. 9  depicts an enlarged view of the contacting ends of panel members  100  and  200  as illustrated in  FIG. 8 , and more specifically the portions of the panel members  100  and  200  designated as detail “D.” In this illustration, the hook portion  24  of the first panel member  100  and the hook portion  19  of the second panel member  200  are engaged. Specifically, the inner surface  32  of the hook portion  24  of the first panel member  100  is engaged with the inner surface  31  of the hook portion  19  of the second panel member  200 . 
         [0037]    The angled portion  30  of the leg  38  and the angled portion  18  of the leg  35  facilitate the mating of the hook portions  19  and  24 . In this regard, the outermost edge  41  ( FIG. 3 ) of the hook portion  19  may engage with and slide upon the angled portion  30  of the leg  38 . Similarly the outermost edge  40  ( FIG. 4 ) of the hook portion  24  may engage with and slide upon the angled portion  18  of the leg  35 . Thus, the angled portions  18  and  30  guide and direct the outermost edges  40  and  41 , respectively, so that the surfaces  31  and  32  engaged. 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the second panel member  200  is then further rotated in the direction of reference indicator  103 . The outside edge  27  of the leg  38  may then engage with and slide upon the ramping surface  37  of the ramp  16 . 
         [0039]    Rotating the second panel member  200  will cause the outside edge  20  of the leg  35  to move toward the ledge wall  21 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . When the outside edge  20  reaches the wall stop  22 , it will engage with and slide up on an angled, ramped surface (not shown) of the wall stop  22  until it “rides over” the wall stop and comes to rest in the recess  23  between the wall stop  22  and the ledge wall  21 . Simultaneously, the rotation of the second panel member  200  causes the outside edge  27  to “travel up” the ramping surface  37  of the ramp  16  until the outside edge  27  rests on the platform  17 . 
         [0040]    When the second panel member  200  has been rotated such that its outer panel surface  11  is substantially parallel to the outer panel surface  11  of the first panel member  100 , the mating of the two panels is complete, as illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . In this fully engaged position, the hook portions  19  and  24  are engaged and the outside edge  20  of the leg  35  is restrained between the wall stop  22  and the ledge wall  21 , as illustrated in the enlarged view of  FIG. 11 . The outside edge  27  of the leg  38  is resting atop the platform  17 , and the legs  35  and  38  are substantially parallel. 
         [0041]    When the two panel members  100  and  200  are in this fully engaged position, the outside surface  28  of the leg  35  of the second panel member  200  forms a wall substantially perpendicular to the inner surface  12  of the first member  100 . Further, the combination of the outside surface  25  of the leg  38  of the first panel member and the rear wall  26  of the ramp  16  forms a wall substantially perpendicular to the inner surface  12  of the second member  200 . In this regard, the rear wall  26  of the ramp  16  is substantially parallel and substantially in line with the outside surface  25  of the leg  38 , forming a substantially smooth wall. 
         [0042]    Thus when the panel members  100  and  200  are joined, the outside surface of the leg  35  forms what is effectively a smooth inner wall  42  for panel member  100 , as illustrated in  FIG. 12 . Similarly, when the panel members  100  and  200  are joined, the outside surface  25  of leg  38  and the rear wall  26  of the ramp  16  form what is effectively a smooth inner wall  43  for panel member  200 . Further, the inner walls  42  and  43  hide the “mechanics” of the joint between the panel members  100  and  200 , creating a smooth wall. 
         [0043]      FIG. 13  depicts a partially-built fence portion  50  constructed using a plurality of interlocking panels  10  according to the present disclosure. Fence posts  51  and  52  are installed into a foundation  54 , which may be earthen or comprised of concrete or some other composition known in the art or future developed to be suitable for the support of a fence. In one embodiment, post holes (not shown) are dug or otherwise created in the foundation  54  and a portion of the fence posts  51  and  52  are deposited within the post hole. Alternatively, the fence portion  50  may be free standing by using any number of support means well known in the art. 
         [0044]    The fence posts  51  and  52  are spaced apart from one another and a bottom stringer  53  is connected between the vertical posts  51  and  52  to provide a base for the interlocking panels  10 . The bottom stringer  53  comprises a slot  55  to receive the interlocked panels  10 . To install the panels  10 , a first panel  10   a  is slid into the slot  55  in the bottom stringer  53  and affixed to the post  51  via any manner known in the art. A second panel  10   b  is interlocked with panel  10   a  in the manner discussed above, and is then slid into the slot  55  in the bottom stringer  53 . Adjacent panels  10  are similarly installed. 
         [0045]    Referring to  FIG. 14 , a last panel  10   c  is installed in the manner described above and then affixed to the post  52 . Then a top stringer  56  is installed on top of the plurality of panels  10  and connected to the posts  51  and  52 . 
         [0046]    This invention may be provided in other specific forms and embodiments without departing from the essential characteristics as described herein. The embodiment described is to be considered in all aspects as illustrative only and not restrictive in any manner. 
         [0047]    As described above and shown in the associated drawings and exhibits, the present invention comprises a fence panel interlock. While particular embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be understood, however, that the invention is not limited thereto, since modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings. It is, therefore, contemplated by the appended claims to cover any such modifications that incorporate those features or those improvements that embody the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4