Panel Fence System and Method

Abstract

In certain embodiments, a fence system includes a support member and a rail attached to the support member such that the rail extends across the support member. The fence system further includes a first panel and a second panel each comprising a primary panel portion having a first edge and a second edge. A first flange is located along at least a portion of the first edge of the primary panel portion, and a second flange is located along at least a portion of the second edge of the primary panel portion. The first and second panels are secured to the rail such that the second edge of the primary panel portion of the first panel is adjacent to the first edge of the primary panel portion of the second panel. The second flange of the first panel is matingly coupled to the first flange of the second panel.

1 . A fence system, comprising:
 a support member;   a rail attached to the support member such that the rail extends across the support member;   a first panel and a second panel each comprising:
 a primary panel portion having a first edge and a second edge; 
 a first flange located along at least a portion of the first edge of the primary panel portion; and 
 a second flange located along at least a portion of the second edge of the primary panel portion; 
   the first and second panels secured to the rail such that the second edge of the primary panel portion of the first panel is adjacent to the first edge of the primary panel portion of the second panel, the second flange of the first panel being matingly coupled to the first flange of the second panel.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second panels comprise one or more apertures, the one or more apertures facilitating visibility through the first and second panels. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the rail is coupled to the post using a rail hanger component. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second panels are secured to the rail using one or more fasteners. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second panels are secured to the rail by clinching the first and second panels to the rail. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the second flange of the first panel comprises:
 a protrusion extending from the second edge of the primary panel portion of the first panel; and 
 a tab extending from the protrusion; and 
   the first flange of the second panel comprises:
 a protrusion extending from the first edge of the primary panel portion of the second panel; and 
 a tab extending from the protrusion; and 
   the second flange of the first panel is matingly coupled to the first flange of the second panel such that:
 the protrusion of the second flange of the first panel is adjacent to the protrusion of the first flange of the second panel; and 
 the tab of the second flange of the first panel is adjacent to and substantially parallel with the tab of the first flange of the second panel. 
   
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the tab of the second flange of the first panel and the tab of the first flange of the second panel are both adapted to be secured to the rail and to each other using a single fastening mechanism. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the protrusion and the tab of the second flange of the first panel form a channel adapted to contain at least a portion of a fastener coupling the first and second panel to the rail. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the protrusion of the second flange of the first panel extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the primary panel portion of the first panel;   the tab of the second flange of the first panel extends in a direction substantially parallel to the primary panel portion of the first panel;   the protrusion of the first flange of the second panel extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the primary panel portion of the second panel; and   the tab of the first flange of the second panel extends in a direction substantially parallel to the primary panel portion of the second panel.   
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first panel is secured to the rail at a first angle;   the second panel is secured to the rail at a second angle, the second angle being different than the first angle; and   the second flange of the first panel is matingly coupled to the first flange of the second panel such that one or more of the first and second flanges close a gap defined by the second edge of the primary panel portion of the first panel and the first edge of the primary panel portion of the second panel.   
   
   
       11 . A method for constructing a fence system, comprising:
 setting a support member in a foundation;   attaching a rail to the support member such that the rail extends across the support member;   securing a first panel and a second panel to the rail, the first and second panels each comprising:
 a primary panel portion having a first edge and a second edge; 
 a first flange located along at least a portion of the first edge of the primary panel portion; and 
 a second flange located along at least a portion of the second edge of the primary panel portion; 
   the first and second panels being secured to the rail such that the second edge of the primary panel portion of the first panel is adjacent to the first edge of the primary panel portion of the second panel, the second flange of the first panel being matingly coupled to the first flange of the second panel.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second panels comprise one or more apertures, the one or more apertures facilitating visibility through the first and second panels. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , comprising coupling the rail to the post using a rail hanger component. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11 , comprising securing the first and second panels to the rail using one or more fasteners. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 11 , comprising securing the first and second panels to the rail by clinching the first and second panels to the rail. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the second flange of the first panel comprises:
 a protrusion extending from the second edge of the primary panel portion of the first panel; and 
 a tab extending from the protrusion; and 
   the first flange of the second panel comprises:
 a protrusion extending from the first edge of the primary panel portion of the second panel; and 
 a tab extending from the protrusion; and 
   the second flange of the first panel is matingly coupled to the first flange of the second panel such that:
 the protrusion of the second flange of the first panel is adjacent to the protrusion of the first flange of the second panel; and 
 the tab of the second flange of the first panel is adjacent to and substantially parallel with the tab of the first flange of the second panel. 
   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the tab of the second flange of the first panel and the tab of the first flange of the second panel are both adapted to be secured to the rail and to each other using a single fastening mechanism. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the protrusion and the tab of the second flange of the first panel form a channel adapted to contain at least a portion of a fastener coupling the first and second panel to the rail. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein:
 the protrusion of the second flange of the first panel extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the primary panel portion of the first panel;   the tab of the second flange of the first panel extends in a direction substantially parallel to the primary panel portion of the first panel;   the protrusion of the first flange of the second panel extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the primary panel portion of the second panel; and   the tab of the first flange of the second panel extends in a direction substantially parallel to the primary panel portion of the second panel.   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein
 the first panel is secured to the rail at a first angle;   the second panel is secured to the rail at a second angle, the second angle being different than the first angle; and   the second flange of the first panel is matingly coupled to the first flange of the second panel such that one or more of the first and second flanges close a gap defined by the second edge of the primary panel portion of the first panel and the first edge of the primary panel portion of the second panel.   
   
   
       21 . A panel, comprising:
 a primary panel portion having a first edge and a second edge;   a first flange located along at least a portion of the first edge, the first flange comprising:
 a protrusion adjoining the primary panel portion along the first edge and extending in a first direction; and 
 a tab adjoining the protrusion and extending in a second direction; and 
   the first flange adapted to matingly couple with a flange of another panel.   
   
   
       22 . The panel of  claim 21 , comprising a second flange located along at least a portion of the second edge, the second flange comprising:
 a protrusion adjoining the primary panel portion along the second edge and extending in the first direction; and   a tab adjoining the protrusion and extending in the second direction.