Abstract
A cut-resistant fence panel and method of securing a protected site are provided that preserves some ability to see through the fence and have air-flow through the fence.
Claims
1. A method of securing a protected side of a substantially quadrilateral grade-level surface from an unprotected side of the grade-level surface comprising: resisting horizontal motion across the grade-level surface; resisting motion up a surface defined vertically from the unprotected side of the grade-level surface; providing visibility and air-flow across the grade-level surface; and restricting cutting tools from insertion into a volume defined above the grade-level surface.
2. A device for securing a protected side of a substantially quadrilateral grade-level surface from an unprotected side of the grade-level surface comprising: means for resisting horizontal motion across the grade-level surface; means for resisting motion up a surface defined vertically from the unprotected side of the grade-level surface; means for providing visibility and air-flow across the grade-level surface; and means for restricting cutting tools from insertion into a volume defined above the grade-level surface.
3. A device as in claim 2, wherein said means for resisting horizontal motion comprises a wire-mesh panel having horizontal wires and vertical wires, wherein the vertical wires are spaced wider than the horizontal wires.
4. A device as in claim 3, wherein said means for resisting horizontal motion further comprises a further wire-mesh panel having horizontal wires and vertical wires, wherein the horizontal wires are spaced wider than the vertical wires.
5. A device as in claim 2, wherein said means for resisting motion up a surface comprises a wire-mesh panel having horizontal outer wires spaced at a distance below about ½ inch.
6. A device as in claim 2, wherein said means for providing visibility and air-flow across the grade-level surface comprises a set of tubular members positioned substantially normal to said vertical surface.
7. A device a in claim 2, wherein said means for restricting cutting tools from insertion into a volume defined above the grade-level surface comprises a set of tubular members positioned substantially normal to said vertical surface with a spacing and maximum internal width of less than about two inches.
8. A fence panel for securing a protected side of a substantially quadrilateral grade-level surface from an unprotected side of the grade-level surface comprising: at least one wire-mesh panel; and a set of tubular members positioned substantially normal to said at least one wire-mesh panel.
9. A fence panel as in claim 8, wherein said at least one wire-mesh panel includes horizontal outer wires spaced at a distance below about ½ inch.
10. A device as in claim 8, wherein said set of tubular members has a spacing and maximum internal width of less than about two inches.
11. A fence panel as in claim 8, further comprising a protected side wire-mesh panel connected to said set of tubular members.
12. A fence panel as in claim 8, further comprising a protected side wire-mesh panel welded to said set of tubular members.
13. A fence panel as in claim 8, wherein at least some of the set of tubular members are welded to the at least one wire-mesh panel.
14. A fence panel as in claim 8, further comprising a second wire-mesh panel, welded to said set of tubular members.
15. A fence panel as in claim 8, wherein at least some of the tubular members are connected together.
16. A fence panel as in claim 8, wherein at least some of the tubular members are welded together.
17. A method of making a fence at a pre-designated fence location, the fence location having a protected side and an unprotected side, the fence comprising: providing a set of tubular members; connecting the set of tubular members to a protected side of a welded wire-mesh panel; transporting the welded unprotected side welded wire-mesh panel, connected to the set of tubular members, to the fence location; and erecting the fence panel at the fence location.
18. A method as in claim 17, further comprising welding said set of tubular members together connecting an unprotected side welded wire-mesh panel to the set of tubular members.
19. A method as in claim 17, wherein said connecting an unprotected side welded wire-mesh panel to the set of tubular members comprises welding.
20. A method as in claim 17 wherein said connecting an unprotected side welded wire-mesh panel to the set of tubular members occurs after said transporting.
Description
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0059] FIG. 1A is a front view of an example of the invention in which a wire-mesh panel is seen.
[0060] FIG. 1B is a detail view of the upper left corner of the wire-mesh panel of FIG. 1A.
[0061] FIG. 1C is a detail view of the upper right corner of the wire-mesh panel of FIG. 1A.
[0062] FIG. 1D is an end on view of the lower left corner of the wire-mesh panel of FIG. 1A.
[0063] FIG. 1E is an end on view of the lower right corner of the wire-mesh panel of FIG. 1A.
[0064] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example of the invention in which two wire-mesh panels such as that illustrated in FIG. 1A are spaced apart before joining.
[0065] FIG. 3 is a top view of an example of the invention, showing a butt-joint of two assembled panels.
[0066] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an example of the invention, in which connected panels are mounted to a fence post.
[0067] FIG. 5 is a front view of connected panels attached to a fence post.
[0068] FIG. 6 is a top view of connected panels attached to a fence post.
[0069] FIG. 7 is a side view of the connected panels attached to each other.
[0070] FIG. 8 is an isometric view of an example of the present invention.
[0071] FIGS. 9A and 9B are side views of an example of the present invention.
[0072] FIG. 9C is an isometric view of an example of the present invention.
[0073] FIG. 10 is an elevation view of an example of the present invention.
[0074] FIG. 11 is an elevation view of an example of the present invention.
[0075] FIG. 12 is an elevation view of an example of the present invention.
[0076] FIG. 13 is an isometric view of an example of the present invention.
[0077] FIG. 14 is another isometric view of an example of the present invention.
[0078] FIG. 15 is an exploded view of an example of the invention.
[0079] FIG. 16 is a three-dimensional view of an example of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF THE INVENTION
[0080] Referring now to FIG. 1A an example of a wire-mesh fence panel 100 is seen comprising substantially parallel rail-wires 102, each having a first end 102a and a second end 102b. Substantially parallel cross-wires 104 are welded across rail-wires 102 at substantially regular intervals. At each end of the panel 100 a connection strip is welded across the ends of the wires 102. As seen in detail in FIG. 1A-1E, picket wire-side-connection strip 106 is welded on the picket-wire side 108 of panel 100, and opposite-side connection strip 110 is welded across the ends of the wires 102 on the side opposite the picket-wire side 108 of panel 100.
[0081] Referring now to the example of FIG. 2, each connection strip 106 and 110 has an outside edge 112 that is spaced from the end of the wires to which the strip is welded. As the two panels 100A and 100B are moved together, the ends of the rail-wires face each other; and, if the spacing is regular enough, as seen in the top-view of FIG. 3, this allows a “butt-connection” between the wires of two panels 100a and 100b when they are connected together.
[0082] Referring again to FIG. 2, slot-holes 116 are provided in each connection strip and are positioned to overlap with the slot-holes of another panel when assembled. Such slots allow for irregular spacing of posts to be accommodated.
[0083] Referring again to FIG. 3, in at least one example of the invention, a U-shaped bolt 204 is inserted from the side opposite the picket-wire-side of panels 100a and 100b through slots 116 (not shown in FIG. 3), and nuts 210 are applied to the threaded ends of bolt 204. Therefore, it is possible to build an entire fence on which no nuts or cross-wires are available on one side of the fence. Having the cross-wires inaccessible to the outside increases the security of the fence. When used as the outside of whatever location is to be protected, this increases security because the back of a U-shaped bolt is more difficult to attack than a nut. Other methods of joining panels will occur to those of skill in the art without departing from the invention.
[0084] As illustrated in FIG. 4, in some examples, the overlapping connection strips are attached by bolts 400 (e.g., secure bolts who's heads shear after installation) to threaded posts 300 that have been previously set in the ground. In other examples, the spacing between posts is too irregular and cannot be attached at the connection strips (see FIG. 5). However due to the overlapping connection strips being welded to the ends of the wires, the assembled panels present a uniform barrier that can be attached to irregularly spaced posts with hardware that will occur to those of skill in the art. For example, the following types of connectors are useful to mount joined panels to posts: standard threaded fasteners, threaded tamper proof fasteners, welded studs, rivets, self tapping standard and tamper proof fasteners, direct welding, etc. Referring now to FIG. 6, still another example is seen in which joined panels 601 and 603 are connected by strips 604, which are held together by bolts 606 that are threaded into block 605. The assembled panels are fastened to round posts 615 by clamp member 607 which is secured to block 605 by bolts 609 (held in place by nuts 610 and heads 611.)
[0085] In some embodiments, the connection strips 106 and 110 are welded during manufacturing, to the picket-wires of a wire-mesh welding processed panel. In further examples, strips 106 and 110 are welded to the so-called “rail-wires”. In still a further example, strips are welded to more than two sides (e.g. four), allowing panels to be joined in two dimensions. Thus higher fences are enabled from multiple panels of one height.
[0086] The materials and sizes of the mesh are known to those of ordinary skill in the field. For example, the following materials and sizes of the mesh have been found to be useful: a 12 gage (0.120 inch diameter) through 4 gage (0.225 inch diameter) wire welded into a 3″×0.5″ mesh, a 12 gage (0.120 inch diameter) through 4 gage (0.225 inch diameter) wire welded into a 2″×2″ mesh, a 12 gage (0.120 inch diameter) through 4 gage (0.225 inch diameter) wire welded into a 2″×6″ mesh, or a 12 gage (0.120 inch diameter) through 4 gage (0.225 inch diameter) wire welded into 1″×1″ mesh. Other dimensions and even more irregular spacing of wires may be used without departing from the invention.
[0087] As illustrated in FIG. 7, in some examples, the overlapping connection strips 702 are attached by bolts 701 to corresponding threaded strips 703. The assembled panels allow for a uniform barrier that can be attached to irregularly spaced posts with hardware that will occur to those of skill in the art. For example, the following types of connectors are useful to join the connection strips 702 to the threaded strips 703: standard threaded fasteners, threaded tamper proof fasteners, welded studs, rivets, self-tapping standard and tamper proof fasteners, direct welding, etc. In this example the connection strip 702 has a slot 704 and the corresponding threaded strip 703 has a through hole 705.
[0088] Referring now to FIG. 8, an unrolled wire-mesh fence 810 is seen having a panel portion 812 and a skirt portion 814 (aka an “anti-dig panel). The skirt 814 is joined in the illustrated example to the panel portion 812 by the lower wire strand 816 of the panel portion 812 in a hinged fashion by, for example, a c-ring 818 (or so-called “hog ring”). In the illustrated example, skirt 814 comprises a 4-inch by 4-inch square mesh, although other mesh sizes and shapes are within the scope of the present invention as will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. Considerations for other mesh shapes and sizes for the skirt include the size and type of expected varmints/predators. For example, wild hogs would need 8-10 gauge strand in 3-inch by 3-inch or 4-inch by 4-inch mesh. Coyotes, skunks and raccoons need 14-12 gauge 2-inch by 2-inch mesh.
[0089] As also seen in FIG. 9A, skirt 814 may be 48-inches, while the panel portion is for a so-called “high fence” (for example, 108-inches). These proportions result from the following considerations: terrain, whether flat or hilly; type of animals to be managed, for example, ostrich or an impala or a deer; type of predator to be excluded, for example, pigs, cats or coyotes.
[0090] The panel portion 812 in FIG. 8 comprises 8-inch by 6-inch wire-mesh having crimped horizontal wires (e.g., about 90 degrees), with three different spacings: 2-inches in a lower portion 820a having a height of 36-inches, 4-inches in an intermediate portion 820b having a height of about 24-inches, and 6-inches in an upper portion 820c having a height of about 48-inches. Also, the top wire 822 comprises 8-gauge wire, being a higher thickness than the 12.5 gauge wires of the rest of the panel portion 812. In some examples, all wires comprise high tensile, class 1 galvanized wire; in others all wires comprise class 3 wire. In some examples, all wires are welded at all crossings, reducing the thickness of the panels and increasing the ability to fold skirt 814 against panel portion 812 for rolling and transportation.
[0091] Referring still to FIG. 9A, a side view of the fence 810 of FIG. 8 is seen with the skirt 814 partly folded against panel portion 812. As seen, the illustrated example comprises welded wire-mesh, allowing for a thinner fence in cross section and allowing for a tighter roll of the fence 10 with less chance of interference between the skirt and the panel portion.
[0092] FIG. 9B shows the same fence 810 with skirt 814 folded out as if it were to lay along the ground.
[0093] Referring to FIG. 9C, fence 810 has been rolled into fence roll 85, ready for transportation to an installation site. In the illustration, crimping is not shown for simplicity; however, in many examples the horizontal wires in roll 85 are crimped.
[0094] Referring now to FIG. 10, an elevation view of a further example fence is seen having, alternatively, a length of between about 150 and 300 feet, a 3-foot bottom portion 840a, comprising a 2×6 inch wire-mesh with straight 12.5 gauge vertical wires 831 and crimped 12.5 gauge horizontal wires 833, a 4-foot intermediate portion 840b of the same wires on a larger mesh, and a 1-foot top portion 840c of the same wires (other than 8-gauge top wire 832), having a 2×6 mesh size. As illustrated, intermediate portion 840b is, itself, subdivided into intermediate portions 840b1, 840b2, and 840b3, having mesh sizes 3×6 inch, 4×6 inch, and 6×6 inch, respectively. Also seen in FIG. 10 is a 4-foot skirt 834, attached to panel portion 832 by c-rings 838 at bottom wire 836. In the illustrated example, skirt 844 comprises a 2-inch square welded metal mesh of 14-gauge wire.
[0095] Referring now to FIG. 11, an elevation view of a further example fence 845 is seen having, alternatively, a length of between about 150 and 300 feet, a 4-foot bottom portion 850a, comprising a 3×8 inch wire-mesh with straight 12.5 gauge vertical wires 841 and crimped 12.5 gauge horizontal wires 843, a 3.5-foot intermediate portion 850b of the same wires on a larger inch mesh, and a 6-inch top portion 850c of the same wires (other than 8-gauge top wire 832), having a 1×8 inch mesh size. As illustrated, intermediate portion 850b is, itself, subdivided into intermediate portions 850b1 and 850b2, having mesh sizes 4×8 inch and 6×8 inch, respectively. Also seen in FIG. 11 is a 4-foot skirt 844, attached to panel portion 842 by c-rings 848 at bottom wire 846. In the illustrated example, skirt 844 comprises a 2-inch square welded metal mesh of 16-gauge wire.
[0096] Referring now to FIG. 12, an elevation view of a further example fence 855 is seen having, alternatively, a length of between about 150 and 300 feet, an 18-inch bottom portion 860a, comprising a 3×6 inch wire-mesh with straight 12.5 gauge vertical wires 851 and crimped 12.5 gauge horizontal wires 853, a 32-inch intermediate portion 860b of the same wires on a larger mesh, and a 52-inch top portion 860c of the same wires (including top wire 855) having a 2×6 mesh size. As illustrated, intermediate portion 860b is, itself, subdivided into intermediate portions 860b1, 860b2, and 860b3, having mesh sizes 4×6 inch, 5×6 inch, and 6×6 inch, respectively. Also seen in FIG. 12 is a 4-foot skirt 854, attached to panel portion 852 by c-rings 858 at bottom wire 856. In the illustrated example, skirt 854 comprises a 2-inch square welded metal mesh of 14-gauge wire.
[0097] It has been found that an optimal combination of mesh sizes, wire gauges, and other dimensions, for most high-fence game applications, is that illustrated in FIG. 10.
[0098] Further alternative materials include: wire metallic coated with 5% AMM, Zn (Galfan) to increase life of uncoated welded mesh.
[0099] As seen in FIG. 13, according to an alternative example a fence roll is provided (shown in an unrolled state) that has the predator a skirt 814 attached to the vertical panel 812 some distance above the bottom (here, for example, 6 inches) to allow the bottom portion of the vertical mesh to be burred but to still allow the predator skirt 814 to unfold flat on the ground.
[0100] In some examples, rather than welding, the wire-mesh is constructed by wrapping a vertical wire around a horizontal wire while, in others, a knot of wire holds the vertical to the horizontal wires.
[0101] As illustrated in FIG. 14, in some examples, the overlapping connection strips are attached by bolts 1000 (e.g., secure bolts who's heads shear after installation) to threaded posts 900 that have been previously set in the ground. The overlapping connection strips being welded to the ends of the wires present a uniform barrier that can be attached to irregularly spaced posts with hardware that will occur to those of skill in the art. For example, the following types of connectors are useful to mount joined panels to posts: standard threaded fasteners, threaded tamper proof fasteners, welded studs, rivets, self tapping standard and tamper proof fasteners, direct welding, etc. The wire-mesh fence 910 is seen having a panel portion 912 and a skirt portion 914 (aka an “anti-dig panel”). The skirt 914 is joined in the illustrated example to the panel portion 912 by the lower wire 918 of the panel portion 912 in a hinged fashion by, for example, a c-ring 916 (or so-called “hog ring”). In the illustrated example, skirt 914 comprises a 4-inch by 4-inch square mesh, although other mesh sized and shapes are within the scope of the present invention as will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. Considerations for other mesh shapes and sizes for the skirt include the size and type of expected varmints/predators. For example, wild hogs would need 8-10 gauge strand in 3-inch by 3-inch or 4-inch by 4-inch mesh. Coyotes, skunks and raccoons need 14-12 gauge 2-inch by 2-inch mesh.
[0102] Referring now to FIG. 15, an exploded view of a fence panel 1500 is seen, comprising an outer wire-mesh panel 1502, and inner wire-mesh panel 1504, a tube assembly 1506 and back side wire-mesh panels 1508 and 1510. As illustrated, outer wire-mesh panel 1502 has vertical wires 1502v spaced closer than its horizontal wires 1502h. Panel 1504 has horizontal wires spaced closer than the vertical wires of panel 1504. In one example of the invention, panels 1502 and 1504 are identical, but one is rotated 90 degrees to the other. Backside panels 1508 and 1510 are of similar construction in further examples of the invention. In some examples, the wire-mesh panels 1502-1510 comprise welded-wire-mesh panels. In some examples, the backside panels 1508-1510 define the protected side of the panel 1500 and the panels 1502 and 1504 define the unprotected side of the panel 1500.
[0103] In assembly, in some examples, the inner panel (1504 or 1508) is spot welded to the face of the tube assembly 1506, typically about 4 welds per square foot. Then, an outer panel (1502 or 1510) is welded to the inner panel around the perimeter and with an additional set of welds in the interior. In some examples, at least some of the tubes of the tube assembly 1506 are welded together where they touch at their tangents. In some such examples, all tubes are welded to at least one other tube.
[0104] FIG. 16 shows an assembled panel 1500, mounted to an example post 1600 is welded to inner panels 1504 and 1510, respectively. As illustrated in the example, an I-beam post is used, although other posts (for example, a round post) are used in other examples.
[0105] The above description is given by way of example only. Other examples of the invention will occur to those reading the current document that are within the scope of the invention—whose scope is not intended to be limited by any statement or specific example given above. The scope of the patent is intended to be defined only by the claims which follow. Likewise, the figures are illustrative and not necessarily to scale. No limitation or disclaimer of the scope of the invention is intended by any term or phase used in the sections of this document, and the scope and all legitimate equivalents, whether disclosed in this document or not, whether now-existing or created in the future.
