Fence system

#The invention relates to a modular fence system which includes fence planks designed for insertion into open channels, and more particularly to a fence system that has panels including two separate face panels that join together to form a single panel which may be placed vertically or horizontally between fence posts.

#Modular fence systems have been used utilizing fence panels that are inserted into channels. U.S. Pat. No. 5,988,599, describes a modular fence system that includes fence planks designed for insertion into open channels of upper and lower fence rails. The fence planks are molded, one piece, planks. The fence rails are supported in a horizontal orientation between intermittent fence posts, with the fence planks extending vertically between the rails. The planks include resilient protrusions at their upper ends. The protrusions of the planks are designed to fit into internal passages formed in the open channels of the upper fence rail, into engagement with ledges defining the passages, to inhibit inadvertent removal of the planks from the upper rail.

#U.S. Pat. No. 6,345,809, defines a fence panel that has hollow planks or panels that are generally rectangular in shape. The panels are connected by hooked extension on each end of the panel that connected in slots in the fence posts.

#FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an assembled fend panel;

#FIG. 2 illustrates the two parts of the panel of FIG. 1;

#FIG. 3 is an end view of the two parts of the fence panel;

#FIG. 1 shows a fence panel 10 according to the present invention. The panel consists of two joined parts 11 and 12 that interlock with each other. FIG. 1 shows the interlocked parts 11 and 12. FIG. 2 shows the two parts 11 and 12 separated. Part 11 has a U-shaped slot 14 on the top edge 15 and a extending ridge 13 on the bottom edge. Part 12 is similar to part 1, but part 12 has a extending ridge 18 on the top edge and a U-shaped slot 17 on the bottom edge 16. In joining the two parts 11 and 12 to form panel 10, the extending edge 13 of part 11 is placed in slot 19 of part 12 and extending edge 18 of part 12 is placed in slot 14 of part 11. The two parts 11 and 12 are easily joined by positioning part 11 slightly above part 12, moving the two parts together, and then lowering part 11 so that edge 18 enters slot 14 and edge 13 enters slot 17.

#FIG. 3 shows and end view of panel parts 11 and 12 before they joined. The two parts are identical, with one part inverted from the other. FIG. 4 shows the two parts 11 and 12 jointed together. In assembling parts 11 and 12 together, for example, part 12 (FIG. 4) may be attached to a fence post (See FIG. 5 below) and then part 11 is jointed to part 12 by placing part 11 slightly above part 12 and then sliding part 11 downward so that U-slot 14 slides down over edge 18, and edge 13 slides into U-slot 17 on part 12, securing parts 11 and 12 together forming panel 10. It should be noted that when parts 11 and 12 are joined together, there is an opening 20 extend along the length of panel 10.

#FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a fence using fence panel 10. A plurality of panels are mounted between two fence posts 31 and 32. Panels 10 may be spaced apart or the lower edge of one panel may be placed over the upper edge of the panel below it. Part 11 is attached to the post by screws or nails, then part 12 is attached to part 11 as described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. The over lapping of panels allows for privacy fencing. A top U-shape 33 beam may be placed over the top of the fence posts and over the top edge of the top panel 10. Part 11, of panel 10, may be secured to posts 31 and 32 by screws S before part 12 is joined to part 11.