Abstract
An interlocking plastic fence panel system is described herein that improves the appearance, provides privacy and acts as a wind screen for preexisting chain link fencing. The complementary edges of the panels allow two adjacent panels to be positively joined such that displacement of the panels away from one another is prevented. The interlocking panels are attached with fasteners and can positioned vertically, horizontally, diagonally or any varying angel in between. A decorative texture and or printing can be applied to the surface to enhance the appearance. For example, wood grain texture and printed imagery or advertisements.
Claims
1. A Beautification and Privacy Fence Panel System comprising: a plurality of extruded plastic panels comprised of a polyvinyl extrusion and can vary in length, and can be attached vertically, horizontally, diagonally or any varying angle in-between; with each of said panels having first and second side locking elements by means of which two or more panels are interconnected in perpendicular attitude to the vertical side surface or plane of a previously existing fence with each of said panels possessing one male edge comprising a U-shaped member situated so that the opening of said U-shape is generally facing away from said surface or plane of said existing fence, and one female edge opposite of said male edge comprising a J-shape member situated so that the hooked shaped portion of said J-shape is generally facing toward said surface or plane of said existing fence whereas said male edge is inserted into said female edge of a previously installed panel; and the panel being installed, is then rotated 90 degrees to rest flat so that the surface of said panel becomes coplanar with the surface of a previously installed panel and said surface or plane of said existing fence; and when rotation is completed, said U-shaped portion of said male edge is engaged behind said hooked shaped portion of said female edge preventing longitudinal disengagement; and when fully engaged a first and second side void is formed directly adjacent to the left and right sides of said U-shaped male edge when viewed from a top down orientation; whereas said first and second side voids provide space for expansion and contraction in a longitudinal direction caused by thermal loads and/or elements of weather placed on said panels by external forces for the purpose of preventing buckling or displacement; whereas each panel lies on one or both of said surfaces or planes of said existing fence, so that the installation of said panels to the near side does not interfere with the installation of said panels to the far side.
2. The Beautification and Privacy Fence Panel System as described in claim 1, wherein; said panels are attached by means of said fastener being constructed from neoprene or polychloroprene plastic; and said fastener is engaged to said panel through a series of die cut holes or slots occurring along said female edge of said panel; said fastener encompasses portions of said existing fence which locks said panel into place and maintains position; said fasteners are only attached to said female edge thus allowing for expansion and contraction.
Description
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(1) As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 there is shown a plurality of beautification and privacy fence panel 20 system installed on an otherwise conventional chain link fence 21. Panels 20 are comprised of a (polyvinyl or similar material) extrusion and can vary in length, but typically extend the full height of the chain link fence 21, and can be attached vertically 22, horizontally 23, diagonally 24 or any varying angle in between with fasteners 27. Panels 20 are affixed to the outside portion of the chain link mesh 21 on one or both sides, whereas the installation of panels 20 to the near side 25 does not interfere with the installation of panels 20 to the far side 26 as illustrated in FIG. 2. All installation and fastening procedures can be performed solely from the side in which the panels 20 are being installed eliminating the need for access to the opposing side of the fence.
(2) As illustrated in FIG. 7 a new panel 28, in a perpendicular attitude 30 to the plane of the chain link fence 21, demonstrates the initial position for interlocking the joints. The male 31 edge is inserted into the female 32 grooved edge of the previously installed panel 29. The new panel 28 is then rotated 90 degrees to rest flat, as illustrated in FIG. 5, so that the surface of the new panel 28 becomes coplanar with the surface of the previously installed panel 29 and fence surface. When rotation is completed the lip 33 of the male 31 hooked edge is engaged behind the lip 34 of the female 32 edge preventing longitudinal disengagement. FIG. 6 is a detailed view of a previously installed panel 29 and new panel 28 joint engagement. Once the new panel 28 is in a coplanar position with the previously installed panel 29, a fasteners are then attached, connecting the new panel 28 to the chain link fence 21 itself. The process of adding new panels 28 and attaching them with fasteners is then repeated until a desired amount of fence coverage is achieved.
(3) FIG. 8 illustrates the preferred embodiment previously referred to as fastener (A). FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrates fastener (A) in its final engaged position. Fastener (A) is commonly referred to as a beaded chain 35 and is constructed from neoprene or polychloroprene plastic (or similar material), which possess properties of elasticity and tremendous strength. These properties allow for the beaded chain 35 to be engaged in one of a series of die cut slots 36 occurring along the female 32 edge of the new panel 28. The beaded chain 35 is then wrapped around the wire 37 of the chain link fence 21, stretched, and pulled tight, then engaged again though another die cut slot 36 which locks the beaded chain 35 into place and maintains tension. The remainder 38 of the beaded chain 35 can then be brought down and passed though yet another die cut slot 36 extending toward the back of the new panel 28, or trimmed off, so that the excess does not interfere with the installation of the next panel.
(4) FIG. 11 illustrates an alternate version of the panel 39 construction, in addition to an alternate version of a fastener previously referred to as fastener (B) 40. As illustrated in FIG. 12 the base of fastener (B) 40 has two rounded corners 41 that are diagonal to each other. These rounded corners 41 allow for unimpeded rotation, in a single direction, of the fastener. In this version of the panel a T-shaped slot 42 is formed in the extruded profile. In this T-shaped slot 42, fastener (B) 40 is inserted with the hooked end 43 in a perpendicular orientation, as illustrated in FIG. 13, to the length of the slot. Once the bottom surface 44 of the base 45 is in full contact with the inside surface 46 of the T-shaped slot 42, the fastener is then rotated 90 degrees, which locks the fastener into position. At this point, as illustrated in FIG. 14, the hook 43 portion is pointed in a downward orientation. The initial position of the fastener hook 43, being perpendicular to the length of the T-shaped slot 42, can be alternately installed in the same manner as described above, except starting 180 degrees in the opposite direction still being perpendicular to the T-shaped slot 42. With this alternation approach, the final position of the hook 43 is pointed in an upward orientation. Because the hook 43 portion of the fastener is offset to one side, and not centered, the final position of the hook 43 can be shifted in relation to the location of the panel, providing adjustment when required. For example, if a knuckle 47 is present and would prevent the fastener from snapping onto the wire 37, the fastener may then be rotated 180 degrees to shift the center line of the hook over and out of alignment with the offending knuckle 47.
(5) FIG. 15 illustrates yet another alternate version of the panel 48 construction in addition to an alternate version of a fastener previously referred to as fastener (C) 49. This version of the panel is identical to the panels 28, 29 in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10. Fastener (C) 49, having a rounded peg 50 as illustrated in FIG. 16, hooks over the lip 51 at the end of the female 32 edge of the panel 48. This rounded peg 50 allows for rotational movement 52 of the fastener so it may be snapped onto the chain link fence wire 37. FIG. 17 illustrates the rounded peg 50 end of the fastener engaged over the lip 51 at the end of the panel 48 in its initial upward orientation. The fastener is then rotated down pivoting on the rounded peg 50 end, thus snapping around the chain link fence wire 37. FIG. 18 illustrates the fastener in its final snapped on position.
