APPARATUS, METHOD, AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING MOBILE OR TEMPORARY FENCING

Abstract

A mobile fence system includes a plurality of hinged mobile fence units with rotating feet, or a plurality of mobile fence units with a plurality of feet that have front and rear surface contacting portions, and a raised center portion extending from the front surface contacting portion to the rear surface contacting portion, or a hinged connection between a plurality of mobile fence units including a female hinge member with an apertured planar member.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to and claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/482,152, filed Jan. 30, 2023, the content of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure generally relates to mobile fences used to provide boundaries to open areas of a field. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to such mobile fences that are stable enough to withstand wind loads as well as impacts, and that are used to provide boundaries for a sports field such as baseball field.

BACKGROUND

It is well known that various types of mobile fences are provided to temporarily provide boundaries for a baseball field or the like and then be moved to increase the size of the playing field, provide boundaries for a different shaped field such as used for soccer, football, to move to a different site, etc.

To date, mobile fences used in this arena have various deficiencies. For example, some of these mobile fences may need to be transported to a site and dropped into holes or spiked into the soil for natural grass fields. These mobile fences may not be suitable for artificial turf. Other mobile fences are expensive, complicated, and may be too easily damage or lack sufficient stability to withstand wind loads or impacts such as when a ball or a player hits the fence. Yet further examples of prior mobile fences require a trailer for transportation and are bulky, making storage difficult.

SUMMARY

A mobile fence system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may comprise a first mobile fence unit, and a second mobile fence unit that is connected to the first mobile fence unit by a hinge. Also, the first mobile fence unit may include a first rotating foot, and the second mobile fence unit may include a second rotating foot.

A mobile fence unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may comprise an outer frame assembly, an apertured panel attached to the outer frame assembly, and a first foot attached to a bottom of the outer frame assembly. The first foot may include a front surface contacting portion, a rear surface contacting portion, and a raised center portion connecting the front surface contacting portion to the rear surface contacting portion. The raised center portion may be attached to the bottom of the outer frame assembly.

A mobile fence unit according to another embodiment of the present disclosure may comprise an outer frame assembly, an apertured panel attached to the outer frame assembly, a first male hinge member attached to a first lateral side of the outer frame assembly, and a first female hinge member attached to a second lateral side of the outer frame assembly that is configured to mate with the first male hinge member. The first female hinge member may comprise an apertured planar member.

For some embodiments disclosed herein, it is therefore a principal object, feature, advantage, or aspect of the present disclosure to improve over the state of the art and/or address problems, issues, or deficiencies in the art.

The details of one or more examples of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The following drawings are illustrative of particular examples of the present disclosure and therefore do not limit the scope of the disclosure. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, though examples can include the scale illustrated, and are intended for use in conjunction with the explanations in the following detailed description wherein like reference characters denote like elements. Examples of the present disclosure will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a mobile fence system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure that includes multiple fence units or modules that are hinged to each other, allowing them to be folded side by side for easier transportation or storage.

FIG. 2 illustrates the mobile fence system of FIG. 1 being unfolded.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of a mobile fence system with a single unit or module shown that has an apertured sheet metal face panel and detachable male and female joint members.

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the mobile fence unit or module of FIG. 3 showing that the feet extend further to the rear than to the front of the mobile fence unit, and that a cross-brace member extends at half the height of the mobile fence unit.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged detail view of the mobile fence unit of FIG. 4, showing that its right side includes a top instance and a bottom instance of a female joint member.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged detail view of the mobile fence unit of FIG. 4, showing that its left side includes a top instance and bottom instance of a male joint member that is configured to fit into the female joint members of a similarly or identically configured mobile fence unit

FIG. 7 is an enlarged detail view of a top instance of a female joint member such as shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged detail view of a top instance of a male joint member such as shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a perspective foot of the mobile fence unit of FIGS. 3 and 4 shown in isolation.

FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of another mobile fence unit with similar male and female joint members and feet as the mobile fence unit of FIGS. 3 and 4, but that is configured to use a chain link fence structure such as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of the mobile fence unit of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a top or bottom channel of the mobile fence unit of FIGS. 10 and 11 shown in isolation.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the left or right side channel of the mobile fence unit of FIGS. 10 and 11 shown in isolation.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged rear view of the vertical cross-brace member of FIG. 11 showing its connection to the front bottom portion of the bottom channel of the mobile fence unit.

FIG. 15 illustrates another version of a hinged connection that uses a pin instead of a hook extending through a hole according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 shows the hole member of the hinged connection of FIG. 15 shown by itself.

FIG. 17 shows the pin member of the hinged connection of FIG. 15 shown by itself.

FIG. 18 is a front perspective view of yet another embodiment another mobile fence unit with slightly differently configured components as compared to FIGS. 3 thru 17.

FIG. 19 is a rear perspective view of the mobile fence unit of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a rear perspective view of the bottom support assembly of mobile fence unit of FIG. 19 shown in isolation.

FIG. 21 is an enlarged view of a corner of the bottom support assembly of FIG. 20 showing a hinge bracket thereof.

FIG. 22 illustrates the top frame member of the mobile fence unit of FIG. 19 shown in isolation.

FIG. 23 depicts a side frame member of the mobile fence unit of FIG. 19 shown by itself.

FIG. 24 is an enlarged view of the side frame member of FIG. 23 shown at an alternate viewing angle.

FIG. 25 is a front perspective view of a further embodiment of a mobile fence unit similarly configured as that of FIG. 18 with more components and extra bottom support for supporting the weight of a video board.

FIG. 26 is a rear perspective view of the mobile fence unit of FIG. 25.

FIG. 27 is an enlarged view of the mobile fence unit of FIG. 25 with the side and top frame members removed showing a top corner of the mobile fence unit more clearly.

FIG. 28 shows the mobile fence unit of FIG. 26 enlarged with the bottom support assembly removed, focusing on the electrical box for the video board.

FIG. 29 illustrates the mobile fence unit of FIG. 26 enlarged with the bottom support assembly removed, focusing on a bottom corner of the rear housing that at least partially surrounds the electronics of the video board.

FIG. 30 depicts the mobile fence unit of FIG. 25 with the top frame member, a side frame member, the bottom support assembly, and the screen of the video board removed, revealing the LEDs and electronics of the video board.

FIG. 31 is essentially the same as FIG. 30 except the LEDs and electronics have been removed, revealing the rear housing and the side attachment bracket assemblies for supporting the video board in the mobile fence unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the techniques or systems described herein in any way. Rather, the following description provides some practical illustrations for implementing examples of the techniques or systems described herein. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many of the noted examples have a variety of suitable alternatives.

To further an understanding of the present disclosure, specific exemplary embodiments according to the present disclosure will be described in detail. Frequent mention will be made in this description to the drawings. Reference numbers will be used to indicate certain parts in the drawings. Unless otherwise stated, the same reference numbers will be used to indicate the same parts throughout the drawings. Further, similar reference numbers (e.g., 702, 802, 902, 1002, 1102) will be used to indicate similar parts or functionality between embodiments.

Many sporting venues—whether outdoor or indoors—are often designed to accommodate multiple sports with some (or no) reconfiguration; for example, an indoor court could accommodate tennis, but also pickleball, and an outdoor turf could accommodate baseball, but also soccer. When multiple games (whether different sports or the same) are occurring at a venue, there is often a need for a mobile or otherwise temporary fencing or partition device to separate play.

The problem with conventional mobile/temporary fencing or other partitioning devices or systems is that (a) court (in the case of indoor sports) or turf (in the case of outdoor sports) damage can occur during installation, setup, and/or removal, (ii) said devices or systems are large, unwieldy, or otherwise unable to be easily transported and stored, and (iii) said devices or systems are costly. The following embodiments of a mobile fence system or a mobile fence unit may alleviate one or more of the foregoing problems.

Starting with FIGS. 1 and 2, a mobile fence system 10 may include some number of fencing panels or mobile fence units each of which can be pivotably connected to each other via hinge attachments. Each panel includes padded feet with a pivotable joint the connecting feet to panels, which may prevent damage to courts and turf, and which may be pivoted to allow for more compact packing when system 10 is not in use.

More specifically, a first mobile fence unit 100, and a second mobile fence unit 100a, etc. may be provided that are connected to each other by a hinge 102. Also, the first mobile fence unit 100 may include a first rotating foot 104, while the second mobile fence unit 100a may include a second rotating foot 104a. These rotating feet may be pivoted to be parallel to the mobile fence unit when being moved or stored, etc. Alternatively, these feet may be rotated to be perpendicular to the mobile fence unit to provide standing support for the fence in use to withstand impacts, wind, etc.

More particularly, the various rotating feet may be connected to a bottom of a frame member 106 by a pivoting connection 108. This may not be the case for other embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, the feet may be fixedly attached to a frame member as will be discussed later herein. When in the perpendicular orientation, the first rotating foot (e.g., first rotating foot 104, second rotating foot 104a, etc.) may extend further on one side (e.g., the rear side in use) of the mobile fence unit 100, 100a, 100b, etc. as compared to the other side (e.g., the front side in use) of the mobile fence unit in order to provide support from impacts that may occur on the “playing field” side of the fence.

Each mobile fence unit 100, 100a, 100b, etc. may include an outer frame 110, and an apertured member 112 held by the outer frame 110. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the apertured member may take the form of a chain link member 114 that may be commercially available, but not necessarily so. For example, an apertured panel, plate, or sheet may be employed as will be discussed in further detail later herein.

In some embodiments, the outer frame 110 may include a plurality of C channel members 116 that may be configured to receive and hold the apertured member in a manner that will be described more fully later herein. The hinge 102 may include a pin 118 on the first mobile fence unit 100, and a socket 120 on the second mobile fence unit 100a (or vice versa, etc.) to receive the pin and allow the units to rotate relative to each other. Various details of hinges will be described in further detail later herein.

In various embodiments of the present disclosure, the first mobile fence unit and the second mobile fence unit are identically configured (e.g., within a reasonable manufacturing tolerance such as +/−0.05 of an inch excluding commercially obtained components). This may reduce manufacturing cost and complexity. This may not be the case for other embodiments of the present disclosure.

Once the system is partially or completely folded, a strap or other securing device may be employed to keep the collapsed portion of the system closed.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 thru 9, another embodiment of a mobile fence unit(s) 200 that may be used to create a mobile fence system similar to that of FIGS. 1 and 2 will now be discussed.

In FIGS. 3 and 4, it can be seen that the mobile fence unit 200 may comprise an outer frame assembly 202, an apertured panel 204 that is attached to the outer frame assembly 202, and a first foot 300 attached to a bottom of the outer frame assembly 202.

As also seen in FIG. 9, the first foot 300 may include a front surface contacting portion 302, a rear surface contacting portion 302a, and a raised center portion 304 connecting the front surface contacting portion 302 to the rear surface contacting portion 302a.

This arrangement may limit the amount of surface contact to ease sliding of the mobile fence unit. The surface on which the foot will rest depends on the application and may include grass, artificial turf, concrete, asphalt, etc. The first front surface contacting portion 302, and the rear surface contacting portion 302a may be identically configured but not necessarily so. For example, the front may be smaller than the rear so that the rear provides more surface area to more evenly distribute loads caused by the wind, impacts by balls or players, etc.

Still referring to FIG. 9, a first slider pad 306 (e.g., may be similar or identical to commercially available furniture sliding pads or the like) may be attached (e.g., via fasteners, adhesives, etc.) to the front surface contacting portion 302, while a second slider pad 306a may be attached to the rear surface contacting portion 302a. This may ease sliding of the mobile fence unit on artificial turf, etc. In other embodiments of the present disclosure, in addition to or in lieu of the slider pads, caster wheels may be provided that slide or pivot up and down to contact the ground or lift off the ground to allow selective rolling of the mobile fence unit on the field, etc.

The raised center portion 304 may be attached to the bottom of the outer frame assembly 202 in a fixed manner via fasteners, welding, etc. as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, or it may be pivoting as discussed earlier herein.

Still referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the mobile fence unit 200 may define a vertical height 206 measured from the raised center portion 304 of the first foot 300, and the first foot 300 extends a first predetermined distance 208 along a horizontal direction from a rear of the outer frame assembly 202. The height of the fence may be selected to be appropriate for one or more activities such as baseball, etc. Also, a ratio of the vertical height 206 to the first predetermined distance 208 may be selected so that enough stability is supplied by the foot to withstand the weight of the mobile fence unit, impacts from balls and players, and wind force, etc. In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, this ratio may range from 3.3 to 4.8 (e.g., about 4.0 with a height of 6 ft and a width of 9 ft to 10 ft). This ratio may be calculated or determined experimentally. Accordingly, the ratio may be different than specifically mentioned herein depending on the application.

Similarly, the first foot 300 may extend a second predetermined distance 210 along a horizontal direction from a front of the outer frame assembly 202. In some embodiments, this second predetermined distance 210 may be less than the first predetermined distance 208 since the foot may experience less forces and to avoid a trip hazard to players on the “playing field” side of the fence. As a result, a ratio of the vertical height 206 to the second predetermined distance 210 may be tailored to range from 9.9 to 14.4 (e.g., about 12.0) to provide just enough stability while minimizing a trip hazard. Again, this ratio may be different for other applications.

Looking at FIGS. 3 and 9 together, the first foot 300 may define an overall width 308 (e.g., about 4.0 inches), and a ratio of the vertical height 206 of the mobile fence unit 200 to the overall width 308 may range from 15.0 to 21.6 (e.g., about 18.0) in some embodiments of the present disclosure in order to provide enough surface area to support loads.

Likewise, as best seen in FIG. 9, the first foot 300 may define an overall length 310 (e.g., about 26.0 inches), and the raised center portion defines a center portion length 312. A ratio of the center portion length 312 to the overall length 310 may be tailored to range from 0.58 to 0.83 (e.g., about 0.7) to balance the performances of stability and contact pressure between the feet and the ground versus sliding friction, etc.

Referring back to FIGS. 3 and 4, the apertured panel 204 may take the form of sheet metal member(s) 212, 212a with a plurality of cutouts 214 to allow wind to pass through, reducing wind loads.

In other words, the sheet metal member(s) 212, 212a defines an effective projected area presented to the wind as well as an overall theoretical area defined by an overall height (may be essentially the same as the vertical height 206 mentioned earlier herein) of the sheet metal member(s) 212, 212a multiplied by an overall width 214 of the sheet metal member(s). A ratio of the effective projected area divided by the overall area falls may fall within a predetermined range (such as less than 50%) so that enough structural integrity is provided but wind loads are reduced to an acceptable level. This ratio may be calculated or determined experimentally to find an acceptable narrow range.

Looking at FIGS. 4 thru 8, the outer frame assembly 202 may comprise a plurality of tube member 216 such as manufactured from commercially available tube stock (e.g., may have a square or rectangular profile, etc.) that are attached to each other via welding, fastening, etc. A horizontally extending cross-brace member 218 (see FIG. 4, may also be a tube member) may extend from a first lateral side 220 of the outer frame assembly 202 to a second lateral side 220a of the outer frame assembly 202. This cross-brace member may be positioned at half of the height of the mobile fence unit, but not necessarily so. Also, it may be attached to the outer frame assembly via fastening, welding, etc.

As seen in FIG. 3, the apertured panel 204 may be split into a first half (e.g., top sheet metal member 212) and a second half (e.g., bottom sheet metal member 212a). The top sheet metal member 212 may extend from a top of the outer frame assembly 202 to the horizontally extending cross-brace member 218 (see also FIG. 4), and the bottom sheet metal member 212a may extend from the bottom of the outer frame assembly 202 to the horizontally extending cross-brace member 218. The sheet metal member(s) may be fastened (e.g., using sheet metal screws or the like) or otherwise attached (e.g., via welding) to some or all of the plurality of tube members 216.

Turning now to FIGS. 10 thru 14, a mobile fence unit 400 that is similarly constructed having similar functionality, dimensions, and ratios as those embodiments discussed with reference to FIGS. 1 thru 9 except for the following differences will now be described.

Mobile fence unit 400 has an outer frame assembly 402 that is formed by a plurality of C-shaped channels 416, 416a that are manufactured from commercially available stock or from sheet metal that is formed into shape, etc. The apertured panel takes the form of a chain link member (not shown but understood to be the same as 114 in FIGS. 1 and 2) that is commercially available and cut to size. Each of the C channels 416, 416a may include a bottom member 430, 430a with chain link receiving apertures 432 (see FIGS. 12 and 13). More particularly, the ends of the wire of the mesh of the chain link member may extend through these apertures and be twisted or otherwise deformed or captured by a device so the chain link member is retained and kept relatively taut.

In many embodiments, the edges of the chain link panel may fit inside the C channels on all 4 edges. This may allow the user to tighten the chain link with bolts and hooks along the edges and provide protection to the players from the jagged edge of the chain link. For example, in FIGS. 1 and 2 there are no sharp edges or wire of the chain link panel that extend past the C channels to provide some safety against a player snagging on these possibly sharp edges.

In FIGS. 10, 11 and 14, a vertically extending cross-brace member 418 may extend from a top of the outer frame assembly 402 to the bottom of the outer frame assembly 402 (may be horizontally at the midpoint of the frame but not necessarily so). Though not shown in these figures, it is to be understood by looking at FIGS. 1 and 2 that the chain link member would extend from the top of the outer frame assembly 402 to the bottom of the outer frame assembly 402, abutting the vertically extending cross-brace member 418. The chain link member would also extend from a first lateral side 420 of the outer frame assembly to a second lateral side 420a of the outer frame assembly 402.

This cross-brace member may have an “I” shape with enlarged ends having apertures 434 (see FIG. 14) that may align with apertures 436 (see FIG. 12) of the C channel for fastening thereto. This may not be the case for other embodiments of the present disclosure.

Any of the embodiments discussed herein may include a mobile fence unit that includes a first male hinge member 224, 424 and a first female hinge member 222, 422 as seen in FIGS. 5 thru 8, 10 thru 12, and 15 thru 17. These hinge members may form a rotating joint, or not depending on the application.

Focusing on FIGS. 7, 12, and 16, the first female hinge member 222, 422 may comprise an apertured planar member 222a, 422a. In FIGS. 7 and 16, the apertured planar member 222a is a separate component that is attached (e.g., welded, fastened, etc.) to the outer frame assembly 202. In FIG. 12, the apertured planar member 422a is unitary with a C channel.

In FIG. 8, the first male hinge member 224 includes a hook member 224a that is a separate component that is attached to the outer frame assembly 202. In FIG. 17, the first male hinge member 424 includes an apertured planar member 426, and a pin 428 that extends through the apertured planar member and is attached to the apertured planar member. More specifically, the pin includes a head 430 that is welded to the apertured planar member and defines a cross-hole 432 (see FIG. 18) disposed proximate to a free end of the pin. Once the joint is assembled, a cotter pin or the like may be inserted through this hole to prevent unintentional disassembly of the joint.

Turning now to FIGS. 18 thru 21, another embodiment of a mobile fence unit 200a and its various components that are constructed according to the principles of the present disclosure will now be described. Since its construction is different as it is intended to have the capability to support more weight as will be described in further detail later herein, the dimensions and ratios for the feet are slightly different than what has been previously described herein.

For example, the ratio of the vertical height 206a of the outer frame assembly 202a to the first predetermined distance 208a (see FIG. 19) may range from 3.4 to 4.9, the ratio of the vertical height 206a to the second predetermined distance 210a (see FIG. 18) may range from 6.6 to 9.6, the ratio of the vertical height 206a to the overall width 308a of the foot 300a (see FIG. 21) may range from 7.3 to 10.5, and the ratio of the center portion length 312a of the foot to its overall length 310a (see FIGS. 18 and 19 together) may range from 0.42 to 0.61. It is further contemplated that the distance the foot extends from the front may be the same as the distance the foot extends from the rear in some embodiments of the present disclosure. In some cases, the distance the foot extends from the front may be increased compared to what is shown in the figures to match the distance the foot extends from the rear.

Referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, the first foot 300a includes a front surface contacting portion 302b, a rear surface contacting portion 302c, and a raised center portion 304a connecting the front surface contacting portion 302b to the rear surface contacting portion 302c. The raised center portion 304a may be attached to the bottom of the outer frame assembly 202a (e.g., via welding, fasteners, etc.) and may define a cutout 314 to reduce weight and friction when sliding along the turf. Two feet are provided that are similarly or identically configured placed proximate the ends of the outer frame assembly 202a to provide suitable stability.

As best seen in FIGS. 20 and 21, the outer frame assembly 202a may further comprise a bottom support assembly 500 including the first foot 300a, a bottom frame member 502 including a front portion 504, a rear portion 506 defining a slot 512 that is connected to the front portion 504 by a bottom portion 508. The first foot 300a may include a first gusset member 510 may be disposed in the slot 512 abutting the rear portion 506, and a second gusset member 510a disposed in the slot 512 abutting the rear portion 506. The bottom frame member 502 and its top portion 516 may define a plurality of holes 518 for receiving an apertured panel (e.g., a chain link member, a sheet metal member, a welded wire mesh panel, etc.) similar to what has been previously described herein.

As most clearly shown in FIG. 18, the first foot 300a may also include a third gusset member 514 abutting the front portion 504, and a fourth gusset member 514a abutting the front portion 504. These various gussets may help to provide support and rigidity between the feet, the bottom support assembly, and the outer frame assembly.

Focusing on FIGS. 20 and 21, the bottom support assembly 500 may also be provided with one or more hinge brackets 520, 520a defining a vertically extending portion 522, 522a, and a horizontally portion 524, 524a defining a plurality of holes 526, 526a to create the hinge joints as previously described herein.

In FIG. 22, the top frame member 226 of the outer frame assembly 202a may include a bottom apertured panel 228 (would be the bottom in use for receiving the chain link member, etc.), a top panel 230, a front panel 232 connecting the top panel 232 to the bottom apertured panel 228, and a rear panel 234 extending diametrically opposite of the front panel 232.

In FIGS. 23 and 24, the side frame member 236 of the outer frame assembly 202a may have a C channel configuration with an apertured side panel 238 in a manner similar to what has been described previously herein for receiving the chain link member, etc.

Referring now to FIGS. 25 thru 31, a mobile fence unit 200b that is similarly or identically configured to that shown in FIGS. 18 thru 24 is shown except that it has a video board 238 installed, requiring more feet 300a (see additional middle feet in FIGS. 25 and 26). Also, a screen 240 (may take the form of a ½ inch thick polycarbonate board that is disposed about 4 inches in front of the LEDs, circuitry of the video board) may be attached (e.g., via adhesives, fastening, etc.) to an interior of the outer frame assembly 202a.

As seen in FIGS. 30 and 31, a pair of side attachment bracket assemblies 242 may also be provided that connect an electronic assembly 244 of the video board 238 to the outer frame assembly 202a.

As shown in FIGS. 26, 28 the outer frame assembly 202a may further comprise a bottom support assembly 500 including an electrical junction box 528 disposed below the video board 238 for supplying power and communication to the video board 238. The rear housing 244 that at least partially surrounds the LEDs and circuitry is also shown including connection ports 246 for supplying power, data, etc.

As used herein, terms such as “having”, “including”, “with”, etc. or forms thereof are to be interpreted as being open, not limiting the parts of a structure that may be added to that structure.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

In practice, one or more of the following components, assemblies, or subassemblies may be provided initially at the first point of sale in an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) context, or as a replacement part or substitutable part in an aftermarket context: a mobile fence system, a mobile fence unit, a male hinge member, a female hinge member, a tube member, an apertured panel, a C channel, a foot, and a sliding pad, etc.

Various ratios, dimensions, configurations, materials, and functionality may be varied to be different than what has been enumerated herein depending on the application or use of the mobile fence system. Suitable materials for the components discussed herein include but are not limited to metal, steel, aluminum, plastic, stainless steel, iron, galvanized steel, and composite materials, etc.

Other possible embodiments include employing a sheet metal strip disposed along the top of the fence or top fence unit member that may be power coated yellow to provide a “clean indicator” to the umpire where the home run fence ends, and where the stand(s) begins. The yellow strip may be a padded strip in other embodiments, etc. Also, a videoboard, a scoreboard, advertising, etc. may be incorporated into some of the fence panels, etc.

Various examples of the disclosure have been described. Any combination of the described systems, operations, or functions is contemplated. These and other examples are within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A mobile fence system comprising:

a first mobile fence unit; and

a second mobile fence unit that is connected to the first mobile fence unit by a hinge;

wherein the first mobile fence unit includes a first rotating foot, and the second mobile fence unit includes a second rotating foot.

2. The mobile fence system of claim 1, wherein the first mobile fence unit and the second mobile fence unit are identically configured.

3. The mobile fence system of claim 1, wherein the first mobile fence unit includes an outer frame, and an apertured member held by the outer frame.

4. The mobile fence system of claim 3, wherein the apertured member is a chain link member.

5. The mobile fence system of claim 3, wherein the outer frame includes a plurality of C channel members.

6. The mobile fence system claim 1, wherein the hinge includes a pin on the first mobile fence unit and a socket on the second mobile fence unit.

7. The mobile fence system of claim 1, wherein the first rotating foot is rotated so that the first rotating foot extends further on a side of the mobile fence unit as compared to another side of the mobile fence unit.

8. The mobile fence system of claim 7, wherein the first rotating foot is connected to the bottom of a frame member by a pivoting connection.

9. A mobile fence unit comprising:

an outer frame assembly;

an apertured panel attached to the outer frame assembly; and

a first foot attached to a bottom of the outer frame assembly;

wherein the first foot includes a front surface contacting portion, a rear surface contacting portion, and a raised center portion connecting the front surface contacting portion to the rear surface contacting portion, the raised center portion being attached to the bottom of the outer frame assembly.

10. The mobile fence unit of claim 9, wherein the mobile fence unit defines a vertical height measured from the raised center portion of the first foot, and the first foot extends a first predetermined distance from a rear of the outer frame assembly, and a ratio of the vertical height to the first predetermined distance ranges from 3.3 to 4.8 or from 3.4 to 4.9.

11. The mobile fence unit of claim 10, wherein the first foot extends a second predetermined distance from a front of the outer frame assembly, and a ratio of the vertical height to the second predetermined distance ranges from 9.9 to 14.4 or from 6.6 to 9.6.

12. The mobile fence unit of claim 9, wherein the first front surface contacting portion, and the rear surface contacting portion are identically configured.

13. The mobile fence unit of claim 9, further comprising a first slider pad attached to the front surface contacting portion, and a second slider pad attached to the rear surface contacting portion.

14. The mobile fence unit of claim 10 or 11, wherein the first foot defines an overall width, and a ratio of the vertical height to the overall width ranges from 15.0 to 21.6 or from 7.3 to 10.5.

15. The mobile fence unit of claim 9, wherein the first foot defines an overall length, and the raised center portion defines a center portion length, and a ratio of the center portion length to the overall length ranges from 0.58 to 0.83 or from 0.42 to 0.61.

16. The mobile fence unit of claim 9, wherein the apertured panel comprises a sheet metal member with a plurality of cutouts.

17. The mobile fence unit of claim 16, wherein the sheet metal member defines an effective projected area, an overall area defined by an overall height of the sheet metal member multiplied by an overall width of the sheet metal member, and a ratio of the effective projected area divided by the overall area falls within a predetermined range.

18. The mobile fence unit of claim 9, wherein the outer frame assembly comprises a plurality of tube members, or a plurality of C channel members.

19. The mobile fence unit of claim 18, further comprising a horizontally extending cross-brace member extending from a first lateral side of the outer frame assembly to a second lateral side of the outer frame assembly, and the apertured panel is split into a first half and a second half, wherein the first half extends from a top of the outer frame assembly to the horizontally extending cross-brace member, and the second half extends from the bottom of the outer frame assembly to the horizontally extending cross-brace member.

20. The mobile fence unit of claim 19, wherein the outer frame assembly is formed by the plurality of tube members, and the apertured panels are fastened or otherwise attached to some or all of the plurality of tube members.

21. The mobile fence unit of claim 18, further comprising a vertically extending cross-brace member extending from a top of the outer frame assembly to the bottom of the outer frame assembly, and the apertured panel is a chain link member that extends from the top of the outer frame assembly to the bottom of the outer frame assembly, abutting the vertically extending cross-brace member.

22. The mobile fence unit of claim 21, wherein the chain link member extends from a first lateral side of the outer frame assembly to a second lateral side of the outer frame assembly.

23. The mobile fence unit of claim 22, wherein the outer frame assembly is formed by a plurality of C channels, and each of the C channels includes a bottom member with chain link receiving apertures.

24. The mobile fence unit of claim 9, wherein the first foot includes a front surface contacting portion, a rear surface contacting portion, and a raised center portion connecting the front surface contacting portion to the rear surface contacting portion, the raised center portion being attached to the bottom of the outer frame assembly and defining a cutout.

25. The mobile fence unit of claim 9, wherein the outer frame assembly further comprises a bottom support assembly including the first foot, a bottom frame member including a front portion, a rear portion defining a slot and connected to the front portion by a bottom portion, wherein the first foot includes a first gusset member disposed in the slot abutting the rear portion, and a second gusset member disposed in the slot abutting the rear portion.

26. The mobile fence unit of claim 25, wherein the first foot includes a third gusset member abutting the front portion, and a fourth gusset member abutting the front portion.

27. The mobile fence unit of claim 9, wherein the outer frame assembly further comprises a bottom support assembly including a top portion defining a plurality of apertures for receiving an apertured panel.

28. The mobile fence unit of claim 9, wherein the outer frame assembly further comprises a bottom support assembly with a hinge bracket defining a vertically extending portion, and a horizontally portion defining a plurality of holes.

29. The mobile fence unit of claim 9, wherein the outer frame assembly includes a top frame member defining a bottom apertured panel, a front panel, a top panel, and a rear panel.

30. The mobile fence unit of claim 9, wherein the outer frame assembly includes at least a first side frame member having a C channel configuration with an apertured side panel.

31. The mobile fence unit of claim 9, further comprising a screen attached to an interior of the outer frame assembly.

32. The mobile fence unit of claim 9, further comprising a pair of side attachment bracket assemblies connecting an electronic assembly of the video board to the outer frame assembly.

33. The mobile fence unit of claim 32, wherein the outer frame assembly further comprises a bottom support assembly including an electrical junction box disposed below the video board.

34. A mobile fence unit comprising:

an outer frame assembly;

an apertured panel attached to the outer frame assembly;

a first male hinge member attached to a first lateral side of the outer frame assembly; and

a first female hinge member attached to a second lateral side of the outer frame assembly that is configured to mate with the first male hinge member;

wherein the first female hinge member comprises an apertured planar member.

35. The mobile fence unit of claim 34, wherein the apertured planar member is a separate component that is attached to the outer frame assembly.

36. The mobile fence unit of claim 34, wherein the apertured planar member is unitary with a C channel.

37. The mobile fence unit of claim 34, wherein the first male hinge member includes a hook member.

38. The mobile fence unit of claim 36, wherein the hook member is a separate component that is attached to the outer frame assembly.

39. The mobile fence unit of claim 34, wherein the first male hinge member includes an apertured planar member and a pin that extends through the apertured planar member and is attached to the apertured planar member.

40. The mobile fence unit of claim 39, wherein the pin includes a head that is welded to the apertured planar member and defines a cross-hole proximate to a free end of the pin.