FENCE SLAT

Abstract

A fence slat is provided that can be inserted in the channels of a wire mesh fence. The body of the slat defines, in a cross-section cut perpendicular to the long axis of the slat, a substantially hourglass shape having a central narrowed portion between a pair of wider portions. The slat body includes front and back walls and side edges with an internal cavity within. The front and back walls have concave outer surfaces and the edges may be rounded or squared. One or more ribs within the internal cavity of the slat body interconnect the front wall and the back wall. The hourglass shape provides a narrower central portion for the slat body as compared to the width at the edges and the ribs, when positioned in or nearer the central portion are narrower than the width at the edges. The wider edges provide sufficient width to be held frictionally within the wire mesh channel, while the narrower ribs require less material than would be necessary for a uniform width.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a structure for a fence slat to be inserted in a wire mesh or chain link fence. Such slats are secured within the mesh or links of the fence to provide privacy.

BACKGROUND

Various forms of fence slats have been described in the prior art for insertion in wire mesh fences to make the fence generally opaque and thereby provide privacy. The slats are insertable in the channels that are ordinarily formed in the construction of the wire fence. Such slats, fences, and channels are known in the art and are disclosed, for example, in expired U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,725,044; 4,836,505; and 4,860,998, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. The various constructions of such fence slats and their descriptions have failed to take into account the value of making the slat with a minimum amount of material while still allowing the slat to be frictionally held in the channel and to provide the slat with sufficient longitudinal, lateral, and torsional strength, particularly for rapid, automated insertion into the channel.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed toward a fence slat for insertion into the channel of a wire mesh fence. The slat is removably secured within the channel, preferably by only a frictional fit, although it may be combined with one or more locking rails.

The slat has a body that defines in cross-section a substantially hourglass shape having a central narrowed portion between a pair of wider portions. The body includes a front wall defining a concave outer surface and a back wall opposite the front wall. The back wall also defines a concave outer surface and the slat body further includes a pair of edges interconnecting the front and back walls. The body has an internal cavity defined within the front and back walls and the edges, which cavity may be subdivided by one or more ribs that interconnect the front and back walls. The slat body extends longitudinally from an upper end to a lower end.

A first one of the optional ribs within the internal cavity of the slat body may extend longitudinally substantially from the upper end to the lower end of the slat body. The first rib interconnects the front wall and the back wall and defines a width extending substantially straight between the front and back wall within a central portion of the internal cavity of the slat body. The first rib may be positioned at the central narrowed portion of the hourglass shape of the slat body and substantially equidistant between the edges of the slat body.

The slat body defines in cross-section a first width between the front and back outer surfaces adjacent one of the outer edges and a second width between the front and back outer surfaces at a narrowest point in the central narrowed portion, and further wherein the second width is less than about half the first width.

The fence slat may further include a pair of wings extending from the edges of the slat body. The edges of the slat body may be provided with a suitable rounded, or squared-off shape. The body may lack all ribbing between the front and back walls and include a central fused portion interconnecting the front and back walls. The fence slat may be provided with three ribs, a first rib at the narrowest portion of the hourglass shape, and second and third ribs positioned within the wider portions of the hourglass shape. The slat body may include a widest portion at or adjacent the edges of the body. The first, second, and third ribs may be reduced in their necessary width by the concave curvature of the front and back walls.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the fence slat described herein, showing a substantially hourglass shape with narrowed central portion, wider outer portions, and widest portions adjacent edges that interconnect front and back walls, and showing three ribs within an internal cavity and interconnecting the front and back walls.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the fence slat described herein, showing the substantially hourglass shape and a pair of wings extending from the edges.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the fence slat described herein, showing the substantially hourglass shape and a central fused portion interconnecting the front and back walls.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the fence slat described herein, showing the substantially hourglass shape and a pair of curved wings extending from the edges.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the fence slat described herein, showing a substantially hourglass shape, in this embodiment having substantially flat surfaces on the front and back wall, and a pair of straight wings extending from the edges.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the fence slat described herein, similar to the embodiment of FIG. 5 with a pair of curved wings extending from the edges.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The fence slat of the present disclosure is for insertion into a channel in a wire mesh fence. Such fence and channel are disclosed in the prior art as referenced above. The slat is removably secured within the channel, preferably by only a frictional fit, although it may be combined with one or more locking rails with interlocking structure provided in or on the slats at selected locations.

FIG. 1 shows, in a cross-sectional view, a fence slat 10. The cross-section for FIG. 1, and for the other figures, is perpendicular to a long axis of the slat, i.e., the axis extending the length of the slat from an upper end through a lower end (not shown). Such length of the slat is selected in manufacturing and/or the slat is re-sized by cutting to accord with the height of the fence and the length of the channel in the fence. Typically the slat is sized to extend along substantially the entire length of the channel. The slats are formed of any suitable material for the particular application of the slat, e.g, an extruded plastic, such as polyethylene, or any suitable plastic or other material.

Slat 10 includes a slat body 12 with a substantially hourglass shape, wherein the slat narrows to a central portion 14 between a pair of wider portions 16. Body 12 typically has its widest portions 18 adjacent or at a pair of edges 20 that interconnect a front wall 22 and a back wall 24. An internal cavity 26 is defined within the walls and edges, which may or may not be divided into one or more subsections 26a-d.

Front and back walls 22, 24 have concave outer surfaces 28, 30 and edges 20 may be rounded or squared (See FIGS. 5-6). Typically the front and back walls are symmetrical although they may be differently shaped, or only one of them provided with a concave or other shape and the other substantially straight.

One or more ribs 32, 34, 36 within internal cavity 26 of slat body 12 interconnect front wall 22 and back wall 24. As shown in FIGS. 1-2 and 4-6, three ribs subdivide internal cavity 26 into four subsections 26a-d, although more, or fewer, or zero, ribs can be provided in accordance with the structural requirements for a particular fence application and/or manufacturing process.

The hourglass shape provides the central portion 14 of slat body 12 that is narrower as compared to the width at either wider portions 16 or widest portions 18 at or adjacent edges 20. Ribs 32, 34, 36, when positioned in or nearer central portion 14 are narrower than the width at the wider portions and edges. The wider edges provide sufficient width to be held frictionally within the wire mesh channel, while the narrower ribs require less material than would be necessary for a uniform width. If slat 10 is manufactured using an extrusion process, then ribs 32, 34, 36 are extruded along with the rest of body 10 and the extrusion slots for them are sized appropriately to provide the minimum amount of material.

The one or more ribs interconnect the front and back walls, and, in the case of an extrusion process, are formed integrally with the front and back walls. Typically, the one or more ribs extend longitudinally substantially from the upper end to the lower end of the slat body. First rib 32 interconnects the front wall and the back wall and defines a width W1 extending substantially straight between front wall 22 and back wall 24 within central portion 14 in internal cavity 26 of slat body 12. First rib 32 may be positioned at the center and narrowest location in central narrowed portion 14 of the hourglass shape of slat body 12 and may be substantially equidistant between edges 20 of slat body 12. Alternatively, first rib 32 may be eliminated or placed in a different position as suited to a particular application of the fence slat.

Slat body 12 defines in cross-section a first width WA between front outer surface 28 and back outer surface 30 at or adjacent outer edges 20. Slat body 12 defines in cross-section a second width WB between the front and back outer surfaces at a narrowest point 40 in central narrowed portion 14. Typically second width WB is less than about half first width WA, and preferably second width WB is about 35% of first width WA, although any suitable ratio can be used depending on the structural characteristics desired for the fence slat.

Typically, fence slat 10 is provided with three ribs 32, 34, 36, including first rib 32 at the narrowest portion of the hourglass shape, and second and third ribs 34, 36 positioned within wider portions 16 of the hourglass shape. Alternatively, the ribs may be greater or lesser in number and be placed in any suitable location. Body 12 typically includes its widest portion at or adjacent edges 20 and alternatively may be wider in another portion if suited to a particular application.

Preferably, the first, second, and third (and any other) ribs are reduced in their necessary width by the concave curvature of the front and back walls. Alternatively, one or more of them may be placed and sized to correspond with the maximum width for the slat body. The second and third ribs typically each define equal widths W2 and are symmetrically positioned, and alternatively may be differently sized and positioned. Preferably, width W1 of first rib 32 is less than about half of width W2 of second or third rib 34, 36.

Fence slat 10 may also include a pair of wings 42, 44 extending from edges 20 of slat body 12. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, slat body 12 defines in cross-section a midpoint line MP between front wall 22 and back wall 24. Midpoint line MP extends through edges 20, and through wider portions 16 and central narrowed portion 14 of the substantially hourglass shape. Wings 42, 44 preferably each extend from a position 46, 48 at edges 20, which positions 46, 48 are offset from the midpoint line. Positions 46, 48 preferably are on opposite sides of midpoint line MP. Other positions may be used.

Wings 42, 44 preferably extend in a direction and for a distance so as to cross midpoint line MP. Wings 42, 44, may be substantially straight, as shown in FIGS. 2-3 and 5, or substantially curved, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. Alternatively, other configurations of wings 42, 44 may be used, either symmetrically or mismatched.

As shown in FIG. 3, body 12 may lack all ribbing between front and back walls 22, 24. Body 12 may include a central fused portion 50 interconnecting the front and back walls. Preferably, such a configuration includes wings 42, 44, in any suitable configuration.

Edges 20 of slat body 12 may be provided with a suitable rounded or semi-circular shape, as shown in FIGS. 1-4. Edges 20 may alternatively be provided with a squared-off shape as shown in FIGS. 5-6.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4, body 12 includes concavely curved front and back walls with correspondingly concavely curved outer surfaces. Alternatively, a partly narrower internal cavity, with correspondingly narrower ribs, may be provided via other shapes of the front and back walls. For example, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, front wall 22 and back wall 24 provide the substantially hourglass shape wherein the walls and outer surfaces have a concavity provided by the walls' slanting inwardly, along substantially straight lines 52, 54 to narrowed portion 14.

Additionally, although the fence slat has been shown and described with reference to the foregoing operational principles and preferred embodiments, these skilled in the art will find apparent that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the following claims. The present disclosure is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variances that fall within the scope of such claims.

Claims

1. A fence slat for insertion in a wire mesh fence having a channel defined within the wire mesh, the slat removably securable within the channel, the slat comprising:

a body defining in cross-section a substantially hourglass shape having a central narrowed portion between a pair of wider portions, the body including a front wall defining a concave outer surface and a back wall opposite the front wall, the back wall defining a concave outer surface, the slat body further including a pair of edges interconnecting the front and back walls, the body having an internal cavity defined within the front and back walls and the edges, and further wherein the body extends longitudinally from an upper end to a lower end;

a first rib within the internal cavity of the slat body, the first rib defining a length extending longitudinally substantially from the upper end to the lower end of the slat body, the first rib interconnecting the front wall and the back wall, the first rib defining a width extending substantially straight between the front and back wall within a central portion of the internal cavity of the slat body.

2. The fence slat of claim 1 wherein the first rib is positioned at the central narrowed portion of the hourglass shape of the slat body.

3. The fence slat of claim 2 wherein the first rib is positioned substantially equidistant between the edges of the slat body.

4. The fence slat of claim 1 wherein the slat body defines in cross-section a first width between the front and back outer surfaces at a narrowest point in the central narrowed portion and a second width between the front and back outer surfaces adjacent one of the outer edges, and further wherein the first width is less than about half the second width.

5. The fence slat of claim 4 wherein the first width is no more than about 35% of the second width.

6. The fence slat of claim 4 wherein the first rib is positioned at the narrowest point in the central narrowed portion of the slat body.

7. The fence slat of claim 1 further comprising second and third ribs within the internal cavity of the slat body, the second and third ribs interconnecting the front and back walls of the slat body.

8. The fence slat of claim 7 wherein each of the second and third ribs are positioned within the wider portions of the substantially hourglass shape.

9. The fence slat of claim 8 wherein the first rib is positioned substantially equidistant between the second and third ribs.

10. The fence slat of claim 7 wherein the second and third ribs each define equal widths, and further wherein the width of the first rib is less than about half the width of the width of the second or third rib.

11. The fence slat of claim 7 wherein the second and third ribs each define a width, and further wherein the width of the first rib is less than about half the width of a shorter one of the widths of the second and third ribs.

12. The fence slat of claim 1 further comprising a pair of wings extending from the edges of the slat body.

13. The fence slat of claim 1 wherein the slat body defines in cross-section a midpoint line between the front and back walls, the midpoint line extending through the edges, and through the wider portions and the central narrowed portion of the substantially hourglass shape, and wherein the wings each extend from a position at the respective edge of the slat body that is offset from the midpoint line.

14. The fence slat of claim 13 wherein the positions of the wings at the respective edges are on opposite sides of the midpoint line.

15. The fence slat of claim 13 wherein the wings extend in a direction and for a distance so as to cross the midpoint line.

16. The fence slat of claim 12 wherein the wings in cross-section are substantially straight.

17. The fence slat of claim 12 wherein the wings in cross-section are substantially curved.

18. The fence slat of claim 1 wherein the edges of the slat body define in cross-section a substantially semi-circular shape.

19. The fence slat of claim 1 wherein the edges of the slat body define in cross-section a substantially squared-off shape.

20. A fence slat for insertion in a wire mesh fence having a channel defined within the wire mesh, the slat removably securable within the channel, the slat comprising:

a body defining in cross-section a substantially hourglass shape having a central narrowed portion between a pair of wider portions, the body including a front wall defining a concave outer surface and a back wall opposite the front wall, the back wall defining a concave outer surface, the slat body further including a pair of edges interconnecting the front and back walls, the body having an internal cavity defined within the front and back walls and the edges, and further wherein the body extends longitudinally from an upper end to a lower end, the body further including a central fused portion interconnecting the front and back walls in the central narrowed portion; and

a pair of wings extending from the edges of the slat body.

21. The fence slat of claim 20 wherein the slat body defines in cross-section a midpoint line between the front and back walls, the midpoint line extending through the edges, and through the wider portions and the central narrowed portion of the substantially hourglass shape, and wherein the wings each extend from a position at the respective edge of the slat body that is offset from the midpoint line.

22. The fence slat of claim 21 wherein the positions of the wings at the respective edges are on opposite sides of the midpoint line.

23. The fence slat of claim 21 wherein the wings extend in a direction and for a distance so as to cross the midpoint line.

24. The fence slat of claim 20 wherein the wings in cross-section are substantially straight.

25. The fence slat of claim 20 wherein the wings in cross-section are substantially curved.

26. A fence slat for insertion in a wire mesh fence having a channel defined within the wire mesh, the slat removably securable within the channel, the slat comprising:

a body defining in cross-section a substantially hourglass shape having a central narrowed portion between a pair of wider portions, the body including a concave front wall and a concave back wall defining the substantially hourglass shape, the slat body further including a pair of edges interconnecting the front and back walls, the body having an internal cavity defined within the front and back walls and the edges, and further wherein the body extends longitudinally from an upper end to a lower end;

a first rib within the internal cavity of the slat body substantially equidistant between the edges of the slat body, the first rib defining a length extending longitudinally substantially from the upper end to the lower end of the slat body, the first rib interconnecting the front wall and the back wall, the first rib extending substantially straight between the front and back wall within a central portion of the internal cavity of the slat body, wherein the slat body defines in cross-section a first width between the front and back outer surfaces at the first rib and a second width between the front and back outer surfaces adjacent one of the outer edges, and further wherein the first width is less than about half the second width; and

second and third ribs within the internal cavity of the slat body, the second and third ribs interconnecting the front and back walls of the slat body and positioned within the wider portions of the substantially hourglass shape substantially equidistant from the first rib, wherein the first, second, and third ribs are reduced in width by the concave curvature of the front and back walls.

27. The fence slat of claim 26 further comprising a pair of wings extending from the edges of the slat body.

28. The fence slat of claim 27 wherein the slat body defines in cross-section a midpoint line between the front and back walls, the midpoint line extending through the edges, and through the wider portions and the central narrowed portion of the substantially hourglass shape, and wherein the wings each extend from a position at the respective edge of the slat body that is offset from the midpoint line.

29. The fence slat of claim 28 wherein the positions of the wings at the respective edges are on opposite sides of the midpoint line.

30. The fence slat of claim 28 wherein the wings extend in a direction and for a distance so as to cross the midpoint line.

31. The fence slat of claim 27 wherein the wings in cross-section are substantially straight.

32. The fence slat of claim 27 wherein the wings in cross-section are substantially curved.

33. The fence slat of claim 26 wherein the edges of the slat body define in cross-section a substantially semi-circular shape.

34. The fence slat of claim 26 wherein the edges of the slat body define in cross-section a substantially squared-off shape.