Fence system

Abstract

A fence section includes an upper rail, a lower rail, a first fence panel, and a second fence panel. The first fence panel has a first upper end adjacent to the upper rail, a first lower end adjacent to the lower rail, and a first vertical side extending between the upper and lower ends. The second fence panel has a second upper end adjacent to the upper rail, a second lower end adjacent to the lower rail, and a second vertical side extending between the upper and lower ends. A male engagement element is formed along at least a portion of the first vertical side, and a female engagement element is formed along at least a portion of the second vertical side. The male engagement element and the female engagement element are configured to cooperate to releasably secure together the first fence panel and the second fence panel.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A fence section comprising:
 an upper rail;   a lower rail;   a first fence panel having a first upper end adjacent to the upper rail, a first lower end adjacent to the lower rail, and a first vertical side extending between the first upper end and the first lower end;   a second fence panel having a second upper end adjacent to the upper rail, a second lower end adjacent to the lower rail, and a second vertical side extending between the second upper end and the second lower end;   a male engagement element formed along at least a portion of the first vertical side of the first fence panel; and   a female engagement element formed along at least a portion of the second vertical side of the second fence panel;   wherein the male engagement element and the female engagement element are configured to cooperate to releasably secure together the first fence panel and the second fence panel.   
     
     
         2 . The fence section of  claim 1 , wherein the male engagement element is formed along an entire first height of the first vertical side of the first fence panel between the first upper end and the first lower end. 
     
     
         3 . The fence section of  claim 1 , wherein the female engagement element is formed along an entire second height of the second vertical side of the second fence panel between the second upper end and the second lower end. 
     
     
         4 . The fence section of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the male engagement element defines a protrusion extending from the first vertical side of the first fence panel;   the female engagement element defines a recess formed in the second vertical side of the second fence panel; and   the protrusion of the male engagement element is received in the recess of the female engagement element to connect together the first fence panel and the second fence panel.   
     
     
         5 . The fence section of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the protrusion includes a proximal portion adjacent to the first vertical side, a distal portion, and an intermediate portion between the proximal portion and the distal portion, the distal portion is thicker than the intermediate portion;   the recess includes an opening portion and a pocket portion, the pocket portion is wider than the opening portion; and   the distal portion of the protrusion is inserted into the pocket portion of the recess to releasably secure together the first fence panel and the second fence panel.   
     
     
         6 . The fence section of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the upper rail defines an upper rail profile;   the lower rail defines a lower rail profile; and   the upper rail profile and the lower rail profile are substantially uniform.   
     
     
         7 . The fence section of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first fence panel and the second fence panel define a channel extending along a height of the at least one of the first fence panel and the second fence panel between the lower rail and the upper rail. 
     
     
         8 . The fence section of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the first fence panel includes a first front panel face and a first back panel face;   the second fence panel includes a second front panel face and a second back panel face;   the male engagement element is positioned on the first vertical side at a first location that is intermediate relative to the first front panel face and the first back panel face;   the female engagement element is positioned on the second first vertical side at a second location that is intermediate relative to the second front panel face and the second back panel face; and   an intersection between the first fence panel and the second fence panel established by the connection between the male engagement element and the female engagement element has the same appearance as the channel.