Enclosure panels

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to fencing enclosures. More particularly, the invention concerns fencing enclosures constructed from fencing panels of novel design that can be quickly and easily connected together to provide a barrier or enclosure.

2. Discussion of the Prior Art

The prior art is replete with numerous types of fence constructions and barriers for partitioning of all or part of selected areas. A common type of prior art fencing, known as chain-link fence, comprises a fence constructed of heavy steel wire woven to form a diamond shaped mesh. Typically, lengths of chain-link mesh are supported by longitudinally spaced-apart galvanized posts that are set in concrete. This type of fencing is somewhat difficult and time consuming to install.

Other types of fencing enclosures known in the prior art are constructed of individual panels of mesh wire or other fencing material which covers peripheral frames made of angle iron or the like. In these types of fencing enclosures adjoining panels are typically connected by bolting the edges of the frames together. Such a process is time consuming and labor intensive and is, consequently, quite expensive. Further, because conventional fasteners are used to construct the barrier, the fenced areas may be easily entered if unguarded by simply removing the fasteners with conventional tools.

Prior art U.S. Pat. No. 5,052,846 issued to the present inventor, discloses an improved fencing construction that solves many of the problems exhibited by the prior art fencing. More particularly, the improved fencing disclosed in this latter patent includes a fastener for joining together panels of enclosures having abutting side frames with keyhole-shaped receptacles adjacent to one another in the abutting side frames. The fastener comprises a back-plate having a size adapted to cover adjacent keyhole-shaped receptacles in abutting side frames and a pair of arms projecting at essentially right angles from the back-plate. Each of the pair of arms are adapted to fit within the smaller portion of the keyhole-shaped receptacles in the abutting side frames, and an enlarged end portion on each of the arms is adapted to fit through the larger portion of the keyhole-shaped receptacles, but not to fit through the smaller portion of the keyhole-shaped receptacles.

Another type of fencing construction is disclosed in Publication U.S. 20003/0209701. This Publication, which concerns an application filed by Goddard, discloses a post for assembling and erecting unframed wire mesh partition panels made of crisscrossing vertical and horizontal wires. The post comprises a central channel spanning lengthwise along the post, the central channel being sized to adjustably receive and mount a lateral end of a first partition panel. The post further comprises two lateral flanges flanking the central channel and a plurality of spaced hooks disposed along the two lateral flanges for holding and assembling a second and a third partition panel, the hooks pointing toward the central channel and being sized to hold the vertical wire of a lateral end of the second and third partition panels.

The present invention constitutes a significant improvement over prior art fencing by providing a unique construction that substantially reduces the cost of installing the fencing barrier or enclosure and significantly reduces the time required for installing the enclosure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

By way of summary, one form of the present invention comprises a novel barrier partition that includes a support column having a base plate and first and second opposing sides, each side having a plurality of generally keyhole-shaped connector apertures formed therein. Interconnected with the support column are first and second panel assemblies of unique construction. Each of the panel assemblies includes a connector member and a plurality of vertically spaced connector elements connected to the connector member for connecting the connector member to the support column. A plurality of vertically spaced connector clips are also provided on the connector member for use in connecting a wire mesh panel to the connector member. Each of the vertically spaced connector elements has a shank portion closely receivable within the smaller portion of the keyhole-shaped connector aperture and an enlarged diameter head portion closely receivable within the larger portion of a selected one of the keyhole-shaped connector apertures. With this novel construction, once the base plate of the support column is bolted, or otherwise affixed to suitable support structure, the barrier panels can be quickly and easily interconnected with the support column to form the barrier partition.

With the forgoing in mind, it is an object of the present invention to provide a barrier partition that comprises a plurality of uniquely configured individual panels that can be readily interconnected in a manner to provide a sturdy and secure barrier.

Another object of the invention is to provide a barrier partition of the aforementioned character in which the individual panels that make up the partition can be quickly and inexpensively fabricated.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fencing enclosure as described in the preceding paragraphs which can readily be installed by unskilled workmen using conventional tools.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a generally perspective view of one form of the barrier partition of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, generally perspective, exploded view of the central portion of the barrier partition shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A is an enlarged, generally perspective, fragmentary view illustrating the connector means of one form of the invention for interconnecting one of the panels of the barrier partition with the vertical support column.

FIG. 3B is an enlarged, generally perspective, fragmentary view, similar to FIG. 3A further illustrating the use of the connector means of the invention.

FIG. 3C is an enlarged, generally perspective, fragmentary view, similar FIG. 3A further illustrating the use of the connector means of the invention.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, generally perspective, fragmentary view of the lower portion of one of the vertical support columns illustrating the manner of interconnection of the base plate with the supporting structure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, and particularly FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, one form of the partition of the present invention is there shown and generally identified by the numeral 14. Partition 14 here comprises a generally tubular-shaped support column 16 having first and second opposing sides 16a and 16b respectively (FIG. 2). As illustrated in FIG. 2, the first and second sides of the column each have a plurality of vertically spaced connector apertures 18 which are generally keyhole-shaped in configuration. More particularly, each aperture 18 includes a channel portion 18a and an enlarged diameter, generally circular-shaped portion 18b (see also FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C).

To enable the support column 16 to be interconnected with a suitable support structure “S”, a generally planar, plate-like base 20 is connected to the lower extremity 22 of the support column by any suitable means such as welding. Base 20 is preferably provided with a plurality of spaced-apart apertures 23 that are adapted to receive conventional fasteners, such as expansion bolts 26 for anchoring the base plate to the supporting structure (FIG. 4).

As illustrated in FIG. 1, interconnected with support column 16 are first and second transversely spaced panel assemblies 30a and 30b. In the present embodiment of the invention, each of the panel assemblies 30a and 30b comprises a right angle connector member 34 having sides 34a and 34b and a wire mesh panel 36 that is connected to connector member 34 in a manner next to be described. Connected to leg 34a of each connector member 34 is a plurality of vertically spaced, generally “C”-shaped connector clips 38. Connector clips 38 are uniquely constructed and arranged to closely receive and securely capture the end strand 36a of the wire mesh panel 36.

To securely interconnect leg 34b of each of the connector members of the panel assemblies 30a and 30b with one of the opposing sides of the support column 16, a plurality of vertically spaced-apart, connector elements 40 are connected to each leg 34b of the connector members 34. As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3A of the drawings, each connector element 40 has a head portion 40a that is closely receivable within enlarged diameter, generally circular-shaped portion 18b of a selected one of connector apertures 18 of the support column and a shank portion 40b that is closely receivable within the channel portion 18a of a selected one of the connector apertures of the support column. Head portion 40a is adapted to fit through the larger portion 18b of the keyhole aperture but not to fit though the channel portion 18a thereof (FIG. 3C).

In constructing the barrier partition of the present invention, the base plate 20 of the support column 16 is first affixed to the supporting structure in a conventional matter. This done, the first panel assembly 30a is connected to the first side 16a of the support column by inserting the head portion 36a of each of the connector elements 40 of the first panel assembly 30a into a selected one of the generally circular-shaped portions 18b of the connector apertures 18 formed in the first side 16a of the support column. A downward movement of the panel assembly 30a, as depicted in FIG. 3B, will then cause shank portion 40b of each of the connector elements to slide downwardly into the channel portion 18a of the connector apertures of the first side 16a of the support column so as to securely interconnect the panel assembly 30a with side 16a of the support column (FIG. 3C).

With panel assembly 30a thusly connected to the support column, the second panel assembly 30b is connected to the second side 16b of the support column by inserting the head portion 40a of each of the connector elements 40 of the second panel assembly 30b into a selected one of the generally circular-shaped portions 18b of the connector apertures 18 formed in the second side 16b of the support column. A downward movement of a the panel assembly 30b will then cause shank portion 40b of each of the connector elements to slide downwardly into the channel portion 18a of the connector aperture so as to securely interconnect the panel assembly 30b to side 16b of the support column.

Having now described the invention in detail in accordance with the requirements of the patent statutes, those skilled in this art will have no difficulty in making changes and modifications in the individual parts or their relative assembly in order to meet specific requirements or conditions. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, as set forth in the following claims.