Methods and apparatus for barriers and fence systems, including a supplemental panel for fences or gates or the like, alone and or in combination with such pre-existing fences/gates or similar elements. The supplemental panel can be fabricated using relatively cost-effective materials and processes, and effectively reduces the space or gaps between generally vertical pickets and/or horizontal elements on an existing fence/gate/etc., and is readily mounted and racked into generally parallel alignment with those existing generally vertical pickets, and the mounting can be independent of the racking function/structure (such as by bending the added vertical picket elements at a selected/provided location on each added picket). The added vertical elements can be low-visibility and selectively spaced laterally to fit aesthetically between the existing pickets.

Structural components of a barrier, including posts, rails and pickets, are formed from a conductive substrate that is encased in a corrosion-resistant nonconductive coating. These structural components are assembled by aligning fastener openings in a pair of components, and joining the paired components with a conductive bolt. The shank of the bolt has an enlarged section of peripheral longitudinal ridges that forms an interference fit within each of the aligned fastener openings. Forming this interference fit abrades away the nonconductive coating within the openings, and allows the shank to form a conductive link between the joined structural components.

A fence panel can include a plurality of modular fence panel components that can be assembled modularly to form the fence panel. The fence panel components can include a system of keys and keyways that allow the components to interlock with one another when the fence panel is assembled to lock the components to one another to simplify the assembly process and to minimize the number of mechanical fasteners needed to assemble the fence panel.

A fence panel has pinched end connections. The ends of the rails are pinched such that they are flattened from their normal diameter, which are secured to the posts, for example, by welding. A center post may also be used, where its ends are pinched and secured to the middle of the rails. Likewise, additional rails may be utilized, each with pinched ends, and secured to the appropriate posts. The fence panels with pinched ends of particular members may be offset stacked on top of each other to create a nested stack of fence panels that is more stable and compact for transport.

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for an improved barriers and fence systems, including a supplemental panel for fences or gates or the like, alone and or in combination with such pre-existing fences/gates or similar elements. The supplemental panel can be fabricated using relatively cost-effective materials and processes, and effectively reduces the space or gaps between generally vertical pickets and/or horizontal elements on an existing fence/gate/etc., and is readily mounted and racked into generally parallel alignment with those existing generally vertical pickets, and the mounting can be independent of the racking function/structure (such as by bending the added vertical picket elements at a selected/provided location on each added picket). The added vertical elements can be low-visibility and selectively spaced laterally to fit aesthetically between the existing pickets.

A modular privacy fence system, in particular, a modular privacy fence system having fence panels with a board-on-board appearance is disclosed. The fence system includes one or more fence panels having at least two fence panel portions that are cooperatively configured such that the fence panel portions are disposed in partial overlapping relationship such that one of the fence panel portions is offset relative to an adjacent one or ones of the fence panel portions. The fence panel portions are formed within a unitary, one-piece construction and may be in the form of plastic extrusions. The fence panels are configured for coupling to adjacent fence panels, the one or more fence panels being disposed between spaced apart upper and lower rails with the fence panels being connected, respectively, to the upper and lower rails.

A modular privacy fence system that can be modified to achieve a variety of different appearances is disclosed. The fence system includes a frame defining a fence panel-receiving channel system that is defined by one or more fence panel-receiving channel segments, and a plurality of fence panels. The frame and the fence panels are co-operatively configured such that the fence panels are disposed within the fence panel-receiving channel system such that an interference fit relationship between the fence panels and the frame is effected, with effect that the fence panels are retained by the frame within a fence panel-retaining space. While the fence panels are disposed within the fence panel-retaining space, the retention of the fence panels by the frame is effected, such that for each one of the fence panels, independently, in the absence of connection of the fence panel to the frame by a fastener.

A fence panel has pinched end connections. The ends of the rails are pinched such that they are flattened from their normal diameter, which are secured to the posts, for example, by welding. A center post may also be used, where its ends are pinched and secured to the middle of the rails. Likewise, additional rails may be utilized, each with pinched ends, and secured to the appropriate posts. The fence panels with pinched ends of particular members may be offset stacked on top of each other to create a nested stack of fence panels that is more stable and compact for transport.

A mobile fence system includes a plurality of hinged mobile fence units with rotating feet, or a plurality of mobile fence units with a plurality of feet that have front and rear surface contacting portions, and a raised center portion extending from the front surface contacting portion to the rear surface contacting portion, or a hinged connection between a plurality of mobile fence units including a female hinge member with an apertured planar member.

An enhanced security fence for use in high security situations is provided. The fence is made of high strength materials that are preferably welded together in a convenient, location and sent as prefabricated sections to the installation location to form an all welded bracket-less perimeter barrier fence system. Posts with section hangers are provided and installed at a perimeter, and the prefabricated panels are quickly and securely attached to the posts. The panels can be friction fit to the posts and, if desired welded thereto. The invention includes a method of creating an enhanced security fence, that includes prefabrication of panels and rapid, fitting and securing the panels to posts to more quickly create a secure perimeter in places having difficult environments.