Methods and apparatus for fencing and other outdoor structures

Abstract

A fence system including a fence member and a fence rail having a first surface with a first slot and a second surface above the first surface and having a second slot aligned with the first slot. The fence member is inserted through the first slot and the second slot.

1 . A fence system comprising; 
 a fence member;    a fence rail comprising: 
 a first surface having a first slot;  
 a second surface above said first surface and having a second slot aligned with said first slot, wherein said fence member is inserted through said first slot and said second slot.  
   
   
   
       2 . The fence system of  claim 1 , wherein said fence rail comprises a pair of side walls and a third surface, wherein said first surface, said pair of side walls and said second surface define a first compartment and said second surface, said pair of side walls and said third surface define a second compartment.  
   
   
       3 . The fence system of  claim 2 , wherein said third surface is movable from an open position to a closed position.  
   
   
       4 . The fence system of  claim 3 , wherein said third surface is pivotably moved about a hinge attached to one of said pair of side walls.  
   
   
       5 . The fence system of  claim 4 , wherein said third surface comprises a first latch that removably engages a latch formed in another of said pair of side walls.  
   
   
       6 . The fence system of  claim 1 , wherein said fence member further comprises: 
 a gripping element; and    a fence panel adapted to be removably retained on said fence member by said gripping element and further adapted to modify a face of said fence member.    
   
   
       7 . The fence system of  claim 6 , wherein said fence panel comprises a solar panel for generating electricity.  
   
   
       8 . The fence system of  claim 6 , wherein said fence panel is a different color than said face of said fence member so that engagement of said fence panel in with said gripping element changes a color of said face.  
   
   
       9 . The fence system of  claim 6 , wherein said gripping element comprises a groove provided adjacent lateral edges of said fence member and adapted to receive and grip said fence panel.  
   
   
       10 . The fence system of  claim 9 , wherein said grooves extend along substantially a length of said fence member.  
   
   
       11 . A method of changing a component of a fence system comprising a fence member attached to a rail of said fence system, the method comprising: 
 opening a top surface of said rail so as to expose an interior compartment of said rail; and    removing at least one component of said fence member through said interior compartment.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising closing said top surface upon removing said at least one component.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said fence member comprises a removable fence panel.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said fence panel comprises a solar panel for generating electricity.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said fence panel is a different color than a face of said fence member so that engagement of said fence panel with said face changes a color of said face.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said at least one component is said removable fence panel.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said fence panel comprises a solar panel for generating electricity.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said fence panel is a different color than a face of said fence member so that engagement of said fence panel with said face changes a color of said face.  
   
   
       19 . A method attaching a component to a rail of a fence system, the method comprising: 
 opening a top surface of said rail so as to expose an interior compartment of said rail; and    inserting at least one component of a fence member through said interior compartment.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising closing said top surface upon inserting said at least one component.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said fence member comprises a removable fence panel.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said fence panel comprises a solar panel for generating electricity.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said fence panel is a different color than a face of said fence member so that engagement of said fence panel with said face changes a color of said face.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said at least one component is said removable fence panel and said inserting comprises attaching said removable fence panel to a portion of said fence member.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said fence panel comprises a solar panel for generating electricity.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said fence panel is a different color than a face of said fence member so that engagement of said fence panel with said face changes a color of said face.