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US 5,494,261 AGranted
Corrugated privacy fence and method of fabrication thereof
AssigneeGandara Systems
InventorEnrique P. Gandara
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An economical metal fence includes a lateral channel frame structure and corrugated panels that fit together without requiring fasteners. The lateral channel structures firmly engage the corrugated panels for support, while the lateral channel structures are held within vertical channels with very few fasteners. The lateral channel structures and associated corrugated panels do not bottom out laterally against the vertical channels. In this manner, the spacing between fence posts is not critical.
Claims33
A fence structure, comprising:
- a rigid panel constructed of a nonorganic material, said panel being formed of an irregular-shaped surface to provide strength thereto;
- a pair of fence posts;
- a bottom and top stiffener for defining a channel for receiving therein a respective bottom and top edge of the panel to provide support thereto;
- and
- a pair of opposing Channel side members attachable to said fence posts, and to which the top and bottom stiffeners are fastened therein to result in a rigid fence structure, said pair of opposing channel side members having substantially parallel sidewalls of sufficient lateral length so that said top and bottom stiffeners can be inserted therein while vet having a degree of lateral movement, whereby said fence posts can be set in the ground at inexact spacings.
2 more elements
A fence structure, comprising:
- a first corrugated panel;
- a first set of sheet metal stiffeners roll formed into a channel structure to define respectively a top and bottom channel stiffener for receiving therein and engaging with respective top and bottom edges of said first corrugated panel;
- a second corrugated panel that is distinct and separate from said first corrugated panel;
- a second set of sheet metal stiffeners roll formed into a channel structure to define respectively a top and bottom stiffener for receiving therein and engaging respective top and bottom edges of said second corrugated panel;
- and
- wherein the bottom sheet metal stiffener of the first panel is substantially identical to and engages with the top sheet metal stiffener of the second panel so that the first panel and first set of sheet metal stiffeners can be situated over and rest on the second panel and the second set of sheet metal stiffeners.
3 more elements
A fence structure, comprising:
- a top and bottom corrugated panel;
- a plurality of horizontally disposed stiffeners, each stiffener defining a channel with a flexible opening for receiving therein corrugated edge of the corrugated panel, said opening of the channel including opposing yieldable edges angled inwardly toward each other to provide a compression fit with the corrugated edge of the panel, said stiffeners being engaged with a respective top or bottom edge of one said corrugated panel;
- a pair or opposing vertical channels for receiving therein an end of each said stiffener;
- and
- fasteners for fastening one or more of the ends of the stiffeners to the vertical channels.
2 more elements
A method of fabricating a fence structure, comprising the steps of:
- forming corrugations into sheet metal;
- forming horizontally disposed stiffeners engageable with the corrugated edges of the corrugated sheet metal, said forming step including forming the stiffeners in a channel-like shape with flexible side members that provide a compression fit to the corrugated edges of the sheet metal, whereby the stiffeners strengthen the corrugated edges when inserted thereover and prevent slack therebetween.
A fence section structure, comprising:
- a pair of substantially identically shaped panels;
- a pair of substantially identically shaped roll formed sheet metal half stiffeners, each formed with a channel for receiving therein and supporting an edge of a different said panel;
- a pair of substantially identically shaped roll formed sheet metal full stiffeners, each formed with a channel for receiving therein and supporting an edge of a different said panel;
- and
- a pair of substantially identically shaped roll formed sheet metal vertical channel members for engaging respective side ends of the half and full stiffeners, whereby the fence section structure comprises only four different sheet metal components.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.