Fence apparatus and related methods

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a fence and related methods for making a fence panel and for connecting the panel to other panels to form a modular type fence. The invention preferably includes a generally planar section of fencing material formed from spaced-apart wires, and at least two non-parallel stiffening portions deforming the fence section from the aforementioned generally planar configuration.

1 . A fence, comprising: 
 a first panel having a generally planar surface formed by spaced apart wires;    a first bend and a second bend formed in the surface, the first bend having a substantially continuous uniform height in a first linear direction, and the second bend having a substantially continuous uniform height in a second linear direction.    
   
   
       2 . The fence of  claim 1 , wherein the first bend and the second bend intersect to form a junction.  
   
   
       3 . The fence of  claim 1 , wherein the spaced apart wires are formed by a first set of parallel wires spaced apart approximately equal distance from each other, and a second set of parallel wires spaced apart approximately equal distance from each other and generally transverse to the first set of wires, the spaced wires forming a transverse intersection between the first bend and the second bend.  
   
   
       4 . The fence of  claim 1  or  claim 2 , wherein at least some of the spaced apart wires traverse one another at an approximate right angle.  
   
   
       5 . The fence of  claim 2  or  claim 3 , wherein the junction protrudes from the generally planar surface.  
   
   
       6 . The fence of  claim 3 , wherein the first set of wires is connected to the second set of wires at each point the first set of wires is traversed by the second set of wires.  
   
   
       7 . The fence of  claim 3 , wherein the spaced apart wires include wires of at least two different gauges.  
   
   
       8 . The fence of  claim 7 , wherein the wires of different gauges are periodically spaced from each other in the panel.  
   
   
       9 . The fence of  claim 8 , wherein the first bend includes wires of a gauge different than the wires of the first set forming the generally planar surface, and the second bend includes wires of a different gauge than the wires of the second set forming the generally planar surface.  
   
   
       10 . The fence of  claim 3 , wherein the first bend is located generally along a first edge of the first panel.  
   
   
       11 . The fence of  claim 10 , wherein the second bend is located generally along a second edge of the first panel.  
   
   
       12 . The fence of  claim 3 , wherein the height and shape of the first bend and the second bend are substantially the same.  
   
   
       13 . The fence of  claim 12 , wherein the shape of the first bend and the second bend are substantially triangular in cross-section.  
   
   
       14 . The fence of  claim 2  or  claim 3 , wherein the first bend, second bend, and junction are formed by steps comprising: 
 (1) cutting a portion of the spaced apart wires at the transverse intersection between the first set of parallel wires and the second set of parallel wires;    (2) removing the cut portion; and    (3) bending the first panel.    
   
   
       15 . The fence of  claim 14 , further including a support link connected between spaced apart wires of the junction.  
   
   
       16 . The fence of  claim 1 , further including a second panel joined to the first panel by a joining device.  
   
   
       17 . The fence of  claim 16 , wherein the joining device includes: 
 a first component for engaging the first panel, and a second component for engaging the second panel, wherein the first component and the second component are joined together by a connecting device.    
   
   
       18 . The fence of  claim 17 , wherein the first component includes a first engagement surface for engaging the first panel, and a first housing connected to the first engagement surface and adapted to receive the connecting device; 
 wherein the second component includes a second engagement surface for engaging the second panel, and a second housing connected to the second engagement surface and adapted to receive the connecting device; and    wherein the connecting device is received within the first housing and the second housing to attach the first housing to the second housing thereby attaching the first panel to the second panel.    
   
   
       19 . The fence of  claim 18 , wherein the first housing and second housing are each tubular in shape having a substantially smooth end and a ridged end opposite the smooth end, wherein selective attachment of the first housing to the second housing along respective smooth ends provides rotational attachment of the first panel to the second panel, and wherein alternative selective attachment of the first housing to the second housing along respective ridged ends provides non-rotatable attachment of the first panel to the second panel.  
   
   
       20 . The fence of  claim 17 , wherein the connecting device includes: 
 a head;    a body extending from the head and terminating a predetermined distance from the head to form a shoulder to support one of the first housing and the second housing;    a threaded shaft extending from the shoulder capable of passing through the first housing and the second housing; and    a correspondingly threaded nut for removable attachment to the threaded shaft to secure the first housing to the second housing,    wherein the first panel and the second panel are elevated relative to the ground at least the distance from the head to the shoulder when the connecting device passes up through the first housing and the second housing, and wherein the first panel and the second panel are positioned on the ground when the connecting device passes down through the first housing and the second housing.    
   
   
       21 . The fence of  claim 17 , wherein the first engagement surface is shaped to correspond to the shape of one of the first bend and the second bend of the first panel.  
   
   
       22 . The fence of  claim 21 , wherein the second engagement surface is shaped to correspond to the shape of one of the first bend and the second bend of the second panel.  
   
   
       23 . The fence of  claim 22 , wherein the second panel has surface bends similar in size and shape to the first panel.  
   
   
       24 . The fence of  claim 23 , wherein the second panel has surface bends positioned substantially the same as the surface bends of the first panel.  
   
   
       25 . A method of making a fence panel, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a first set of parallel spaced apart wires;    providing a second set of parallel spaced apart wires;    positioning the second set of wires transverse to the first set of wires to form points of transverse intersection between the first set of wires and the second set of wires;    connecting the first set of wires to the second set of wires along a plurality of points of transverse intersection;    cutting a portion of the first set of wires and the second set of wires;    removing the cut portion; and    bending a portion of the first set of wires and the second set of wires to form the fence panel of  claim 1 .    
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25 , further including the step of: 
 positioning at least a portion of the first set of parallel spaced apart wires an approximately equal distance from each other; and    positioning at least a portion of the second set of parallel spaced apart wires an approximately equal distance from each other.    
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the step of positioning the second set of parallel spaced apart wires transverse to the first set of wires further includes ensuring the first set of wires traverse the second set of wires at an approximately right angle.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the step of providing a first set of parallel spaced apart wires further includes the step of placing wires of different gauges within the first set.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the step of providing a second set of parallel spaced apart wires includes the step of placing wires of different gauges within the second set.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 29 , further including the step of positioning larger gauge wires within the first set and second set of parallel spaced apart wires so that the larger gauge wires are selectively positioned to form the first bend and the second bend of the first panel during the step of bending the first set of wires and second set of wires to form the fence panel.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the step of positioning the second set of wires transverse to the first set of wires includes the step of weaving the first set of wires along the second set of wires.  
   
   
       32 . A fence, comprising: 
 a first panel and a second panel each having a generally planar surface formed by spaced apart wires, and connected by a joining device for selective rotating and non-rotating attachment of the first panel to the second panel,    wherein each surface includes a first bend and a second bend each having a substantially continuous uniform height in a different linear direction, and formed by a portion of the spaced apart wires.    
   
   
       33 . The fence of  claim 32 , wherein the joining device comprises: 
 a first engagement surface for engaging the first panel;    a second engagement surface for the second panel;    a connecting device;    a first tubular housing connected to the first engagement surface; and    a second tubular housing connected to the second engagement surface,    wherein the first housing and the second housing are each adapted to receive the connecting device, and    the first housing and the second housing sized and configured to be selectably engaged with each other in either a rotating or non-rotating relationship.    
   
   
       34 . The fence of  claim 33 , wherein the first housing and second housing each have a substantially smooth end and a ridged end opposite the smooth end wherein attachment of the first housing to the second housing by the attachment device along respective smooth ends provides rotational attachment of the first panel to the second panel, and wherein attachment of the first housing to the second housing by the attachment device along respective ridged ends provides non-rotatable attachment of the first panel to the second panel.  
   
   
       35 . Apparatus for stiffening a fence, including: 
 a generally planar section of fencing material formed from spaced-apart wires; and    at least two non-parallel bends deforming the fence section from the generally planar configuration.    
   
   
       36 . Apparatus for stiffening a wire mesh, including: 
 a generally planar section of mesh formed from spaced-apart wires; and    at least two non-parallel bends deforming the mesh section from the generally planar configuration.    
   
   
       37 . The apparatus of  claim 35  or  claim 36 , in which said bends are generally at right angles to one another.  
   
   
       38 . The apparatus of  claim 35  or  claim 36 , further including a joining device connected at one end to one of the two non-parallel bends.  
   
   
       39 . The apparatus of  claim 38 , further including a section of fencing material other than the generally planar section of fencing material connected at the other end to the joining device.  
   
   
       40 . The apparatus of  claim 39 , wherein the other fencing material includes a generally planar section of fencing material formed from spaced-apart wires; and at least two non-parallel bends deforming the fence section from the generally planar configuration.  
   
   
       41 . The apparatus of  claim 40 , wherein the joining device is further connected between the two ends to a vertical post.  
   
   
       42 . Apparatus for vertically supporting a wire mesh fence, including a generally planar mesh fence portion and at least one generally linear bend formed substantially across the generally planar mesh fence portion, said bend oriented in a substantially vertical direction when said fence is erected.  
   
   
       43 . The apparatus of  claim 37 , further including at least one generally horizontally-oriented bend, said generally horizontally-oriented bend providing stiffening along the horizontal plane of said fence.  
   
   
       44 . A fencing system, including: 
 a plurality of wire mesh panels, at least one of said panels including at least two non-parallel stiffening bends formed therein; and    means to support said panels in a temporary position and orientation.    
   
   
       45 . The system of  claim 44 , including means to affix at least two adjacent panels to each other in a selected pattern.  
   
   
       46 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein the at least two panels are affixed in a serpentine pattern.  
   
   
       47 . The system of  claim 44 , including hinge means for providing a rotatable relationship between at least two adjacent panels.  
   
   
       48 . The system of  claim 47 , wherein at least one of said panels includes a door portion formed therein.  
   
   
       49 . The system of  claim 48 , wherein the door portion includes a pipe frame.  
   
   
       50 . The process of assembling the fencing system of  claim 44  or  claim 45 , including the steps of: 
 assembling said panels in a desired pattern, position, and orientation, using said affixing means and supporting means.    
   
   
       51 . A cage having at least one side formed at least in part from at least one wire mesh panel, said panel including at least two non-parallel stiffening bends formed therein.  
   
   
       52 . The cage of  claim 51 , in which a plurality of sides of the cage are formed from wire mesh panels, each of said panels including at least two non-parallel stiffening bends formed therein.  
   
   
       53 . A fence section, including: 
 a generally planar body portion; and    at least two generally linear non-parallel deformed stiffening portions formed in the body portion, the stiffening portions being deformed so as to be distinct from the majority of the generally planar body portion.    
   
   
       54 . A fence construction, including: 
 a generally planar body portion forming the majority of the area of the construction; and    at least two generally linear non-parallel deformed stiffening portions formed within the body portion, the stiffening portions forming a minority of the construction and being distinct from the majority of the generally planar body portion.    
   
   
       55 . A fence section comprising: 
 a generally planar body portion; and    at least two generally linear non-parallel deformed stiffening portions formed in the body portion, the stiffening portions being deformed so as to be distinct from the majority of the generally planar body portion,    wherein the fence section configuration provides a fence section nestable with other substantially sized and shaped fence sections.    
   
   
       56 . A plurality of fence elements hinged to each other, at least one formed from a fence section as set forth in  claim 53 .  
   
   
       57 .  Claim 56 , wherein at least one of said panels is a gate.  
   
   
       58 .  Claim 57 , wherein the gate is generally flat with a separate supporting frame.  
   
   
       59 .  Claim 56 , wherein the gate is formed from a fence section as set forth in  claim 48 .  
   
   
       60 . A fence, comprising: 
 a panel having a generally planar surface formed by spaced apart wires; and    wherein the panel includes a first stiffening means positioning on the panel in a generally vertical direction when the panel is erected;    wherein the stiffening means is outside the generally planar surface; and    wherein the panel configuration provides a panel nestable with other substantially sized and shaped fence panels.    
   
   
       61 . The fence of  claim 60 , wherein the stiffening means is a wire attached to the panel.  
   
   
       62 . The fence of  claim 60 , wherein the stiffening means is a bend formed in the panel.  
   
   
       63 . The fence of  claim 60 , wherein the stiffening means is an insert connected to the panel.  
   
   
       64 . The fence of  claim 61  or  claim 62  or  claim 63 , further including a second stiffening means positioned on the panel in a direction other than the generally vertical direction when the panel is erected; and 
 wherein the stiffening means is outside the generally planar surface.    
   
   
       65 . The fence of  claim 64 , wherein the stiffening means is a wire attached to the panel.  
   
   
       66 . The fence of  claim 64 , wherein the stiffening means is a bend formed in the panel.  
   
   
       67 . The fence of  claim 64 , wherein the stiffening means is an insert connected to the panel.  
   
   
       68 . A fence panel bracket comprising: 
 a surface configured so as to be retained between spaced apart wires of a fence panel by an interference fit.    
   
   
       69 . The bracket of  claim 68 , wherein the bracket includes a plurality of slots positioned along the bracket to correspond to the positioning of at least some of the spaced apart wires to facilitate retention of the bracket by the fence.  
   
   
       70 . A fence assembly, comprising: 
 a first panel having a wire portion positioned along at least one edge of the first panel, the portion formed by a first set of spaced apart wires; and    a second panel having a wire portion positioned along at least one edge of the second panel, the portion formed by a second set of spaced apart wires;    wherein the portion of the first panel and the portion of the second panel can be interwoven, the interwoven configuration capable of receiving a joining member to join the first panel to the second panel.    
   
   
       71 . The fence of  claim 70 , wherein each wire portion forms a coil.