Insert for a chain link fence

Abstract

An improved insert for a chain link fence wherein a plurality of such inserts, each formed in a shape substantially the same as the square or diamond shaped matrix formed by the wires of the fence crossing over each, are connected to each other entrapping there between the wires from which the fence is formed.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of ______, and more particularly to ______

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates in general to an insert for a chain link fence and, in particular, to an improved chain link fence insert which can function to improve privacy and provide a decorative effect using the interwoven wires of the chain link fence which form a wire matrix.

Chain link fences are frequently used for enclosing residential, commercial, agricultural and/or governmental areas to provide a defined enclosure. Such enclosed areas, however, create an institutional appearance and are generally unattractive. In addition, because of the post-supported interwoven wires which produce a matrix of square or diamond shaped openings from the wires crossing over each other, such chain link fences offer little, if any, privacy for the areas enclosed or activities within those areas.

While various attempts have been made to decorate chain link fences and the appearance thereof, such devices generally have employed strips of material which are interwoven through the fence matrix, or individual pieces of decorative material which is secured to the fence by interlocking to the matrix-forming structure to close the opening in the matrix and provide privacy or protection from the wind.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems or disadvantages associated with the prior devices. As will be more readily understood and fully appreciated from the following detailed descriptions of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the invention is embodied in an improved insert for a chain link fence wherein a plurality of such inserts, each formed in a shape substantially the same as the square or diamond shaped matrix formed by the wires of the fence crossing over each, are connected to each other entrapping there between the wires from which the fence is formed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further objectives of the invention, together with additional features contributing thereto and advantages accruing therefrom, will be apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention which is shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a frontal perspective view of an insert of the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a rear perspective view of the insert illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a top planar view of the insert illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates a side elevational view of the insert illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 illustrates a rear planar view of the insert illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 illustrates a section of a chain link fence with a plurality of inserts interlocked with each other entrapping the wires from which the fence is formed there between;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of FIG. 6 taken along the lines 7-7;

FIG. 8 illustrates a gate of a chain link fence with a plurality of inserts having different colors selectively placed in the fence matrix to form a design;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of an edge clip attachable to an insert which may be placed at the outer edge of a perimeter insert to form an edge of the insert pattern formed on the chain link fence matrix;

FIG. 10 is a frontal planar view of the edge clip illustrated in FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is an end elevational view of the edge clip illustrated in FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in FIGS. 1-5 a preferred embodiment of a chain link fence insert 100 which is preferably molded from plastic and can be fabricated in various colors. By arranging various colored inserts 100 in a pattern, a design or message can be created in the fence matrix, or by arranging the same colored inserts 100 in the fence matrix a uniformly colored fence can be formed. As illustrated in these drawings, the insert 100 is formed in a substantially square or diamond shape to conform to the matrix openings 10 (illustrated in FIG. 6) of a chain link fence. The insert 100 has one face 101 (referred to for convenience of illustration as a “front” face) and an opposed face 102 (referred to for convenience of illustration as a “rear” face). These references, however, are only used for convenience of illustration, and assist in the description of the positioning of one insert relative to an adjoining insert on a chain link fence into which the inserts are placed.

Each insert 100 has the front face 101 spaced downwardly from an upwardly turned circumscribing lip 120, and the lip 120 is rolled outwardly at its uppermost position 121 above the front face 100 and then extends downwardly 122 to form an interior curved recess 123. The recess 123 is formed to receive a portion of a wire 11 forming the matrix of the chain link fence between the outer surface 124 of the upwardly turned lip 120 and the curved recess 123. A substantially central portion of the lip 120 on each side of the insert 100 is formed with a locking tab 130 which functions to interlock one insert 100 to an adjoining insert 100a thereby securing the inserts one to the other, and entrapping the wire 11 of the chain link fence on the two parallel sides of the insert 100 which are not interlocked with an adjacent insert 100a. Each of the four locking tabs 130 formed on the inserts 100, 100a is constructed in the same manner. In the drawings, reference to the same parts for an adjacent insert 100a are identified by the same reference numerals with an “a” notation.

The downwardly extending portion of the lip 122 which forms a locking tab 130, extends downwardly a distance beyond the depth of the front face 101 as best illustrated in FIG. 3. As is known, the wires 11 forming the face of a chain link fence do not lie in the same plane, but because of the wire crossovers lie in parallel planes as best illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. Consequently the interior side 131 of the distal end 132 of the locking tab 130 is formed with an inwardly spaced and upwardly turned tang 133 which functions to engage a corresponding tang 133a of an adjacent, but obversely positioned, insert 100a to interlock the two inserts while a length of the matrix forming wire 11 is entrapped between the curved inner surface 123 and the outer surface 124 of the lip 120 on the other two parallel sides of each insert. The two parallel interlocking sides of the insert become interlocked by the engagement of the respective tangs 133 and 133a and effectively offset adjacent inserts in parallel planes corresponding to the two parallel planes in which the fence wires 11 lie. In this manner each one of the two tangs 133 which depend from insert 100 on parallel sides, will interlock with an adjacent tang 133a of an adjacent, but obversely positioned, insert 100a to thereby interlock the two inserts. The two other parallel sides of insert 100 will thereby entrap the wire 11 between the inner curved surface 123 and the outer surface 124 of the lip 120 on the other two parallel sides of the insert 100 in the manner described above. Each locking tab 130 is also formed with an opening 134.

In use, an insert 100 is placed into an opening in the chain link fence matrix with the front face 101 or the rear face 102 facing outwardly. In this manner a fence forming wire 11 will be positioned adjacent the interior curved recess 123 and the outer lip surface 124 on two parallel sides of the insert 100. Another insert 100a is placed through an adjacent matrix opening in the fence with the opposite face facing outwardly, front or rear depending upon the outward face of the insert 100 already positioned in the fence matrix. In this manner two parallel coplanar portions of the fence wire 11 are positioned between the curved recess interior 123 and the interior wall 124 of the lip 120 on two sides of the insert 100 as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 when the insert is interlocked with an insert 100a placed adjacent to insert 100, but positioned obverse thereto. As illustrated in FIG. 7, one of the tangs 133 on one of the other two non-wire entrapping parallel sides of the insert 100 interlocks with a tang 133a of the adjacent insert 100a to interlock the two inserts 100 and 100a to each other to thereby entrap the wire 11. This process is then repeated on all sides of the insert(s) until the desired design and/or color for the matrix is completed, an example of which is illustrated in FIG. 8. A raised post 103 extends outwardly from the front and rear faces 101 and 102 to receive additional decorative items such as a number or a star which would be retained on the post. While one post 103 is illustrated, it is to be understood that more than one post could be used to enhance retention of such decorative items on the face 101 or rear 102 of an insert 100.

When the design and/or color have been completed, the peripheral edge of an insert which is not going to be interlocked with another insert, can have an edge clip 140 applied thereto for closing the exposed lock tab 130. As illustrated in FIGS. 9-11, the edge clip 140 has an inwardly curved recess 141 formed in a configuration to engage the outwardly curved lip 120 of an adjacent insert 100. The edge clip 140 extends downwardly from the curved portion 141 forming a closed face 142 over the adjacent lock tab 130. The interior of the edge clip 140, that portion facing the adjacent lock tab 130 when the edge clip 140 is positioned in engagement with an insert 100, has an upwardly extending wall 144 terminating in a concave distal end 146 for engaging and entrapping the adjacent chain link fence wire 11 passing between the concave distal end 132 of the edge clip 140 and the interior curved surface 123 of the adjacent side of the insert 100. An outwardly extending tab 145 is provided on the edge clip 140 to facilitate its placement.

While this invention has been described in the specification and illustrated in the drawing with reference to a preferred embodiment, the structure of which has been disclosed herein, it will be understood by those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements of the invention without departing from the scope of the claims. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed in the specification and shown in the drawings as the best mode presently known by the inventor for carrying out this invention, nor confined to the details set forth, but that the invention will include all embodiments, modifications and changes as may come within the scope of the following claims:.

Claims

1. An insert for placement into the matrix of a chain link fence for forming a design or providing a color thereto, the insert comprising:

a base having a recessed face and outwardly extending circumscribing sides adapted to engage a length of wire which in part forms the matrix of a chain link fence;

said base including two parallel sides for receiving a portion of a length of wire which in part forms the matrix of a chain link fence;

said base further including locking means for engaging and interlocking said insert with another said insert positioned adjacent and obverse thereto;

said locking means being positioned to engage a corresponding locking means on said adjacent and obverse insert to interconnect said inserts on adjacent sides thereby entrapping the length of wire received in the two parallel sides of the insert therein.

2. The insert of claim 1 wherein said base has a substantially square shape.

3. The insert of claim 1 wherein said locking means comprises a locking tab formed from a portion of a side of said base and extends outwardly therefrom a distance beyond the depth of said face recess.

4. The insert of claim 3 wherein said locking means is formed on at least two sides of said base.

5. The insert of claim 1 further including an edge clip adapted to engage said locking means and to be secured thereto for entrapping a length of wire which in part forms the matrix of a chain link fence, and

said edge clip closing said locking means.

6. The insert of claim 5 wherein said edge clip includes a curved recess formed in a configuration to engage a side of said base, and further includes a closed portion extending from said curved recess.

7. The insert of claim 6 further including locking means formed on said edge clip and adapted to engage a mating locking means of an insert positioned adjacent thereto.

8. The insert of claim 1 further including attaching means carried by said base for engaging and securing a decorative item thereto.

9. The insert of claim 1 wherein said base includes two sets of parallel outwardly extending circumscribing sides.

10. The insert of claim 1 wherein each one of said outwardly extending circumscribing sides includes a locking means supported therefrom.