US20070278468A1

US20070278468A1 - Novel modular molded frame with interchangeable design panels for vinyl fencing and its method of fabrication

Info

Publication number: US20070278468A1
Application number: US11/446,988
Authority: US
Inventors: Felix Zacarias; Penny Porter; Janice Jones; Lou Zacarias
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-06-06
Filing date: 2006-06-06
Publication date: 2007-12-06

Abstract

An interchangeable aesthetic window panel embellishment system to be attached within an existing fence. The system is composed of a support frame (20) that is to be attached within the upper portion of a fence in place of the existing lattice and an aesthetic window panel (30) made of translucent plastic. The window panel may be of any variety of aesthetic designs, such as stained-glass patterns, home addresses, sport, school, or business logos, holiday designs, or advertising. The panels may be replaced at any time. The number of panels within each support frame may vary.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The Vinyl/PVC fencing system was developed as an alternative solution for wood and metal fencing. The Vinyl fencing is an innovative style of fencing that is made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride). The vinyl fences are available in different colors, tones and styles, the most common being the residential privacy fences which are mostly white. Usually one segment of a vinyl fence is six feet in length by five feet in heights, the number of segment required to fence a property varies according to the size of the property. The vinyl fencing systems are increasing in popularity recently due to their long term durability. The Vinyl Fencing adds a beautiful accent to any home, yard or garden. Its high quality, maintenance-free, with a smooth finish that has a warranty lasting longer than the conventional wooden and/or metal fences. The lightweight components and dependable hardware ensure ease of installation with many styles and sizes available through local “do-it-yourself” home shop and improvement retailers. Also, the vinyl fencing stands up well to the elements. The vinyl fence does not to preserve it, also the wooden fences are prone to require yearly painting as does wooden fences. Also, the vinyl fencing responds well to extreme weather changes in temperature w/out warping or fading, it does not need sanding and painting rotting and termites, all these factors are costly to the fence owner and time consuming regarding maintenance.
To summarize, a Vinyl Fence is an excellent alternative to wooden fences because Vinyl fences are low maintenance, highly durable. A well erected vinyl fence will endure the weather, with a long life and increased stability; it also will be resistant to rotting and termites and will not require sanding or painting to, preserve the good looks for years to come.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The novel invention consists of a modular molded frame fabricated using vinyl/pvc or other type of plastic material that can withstand the outside environment and weather for all seasons. The modular molded frame is located on the main body of the vinyl fence preferably on the top of the vinyl fence for display. Encapsulated by the modular molded frame, a number of designed ornamental and decorative panels are installed or integrated to the modular molded frame by sliding the designed panels on the designed channels and the slots which are part of the modular molded frame. Then a topper will be installed to secure the modular molded frame with its design panels, the assembly can be easily done with the use of hand tools. The design panels can be interchanged at any time according to the customer needs or desires to present a theme or desired design or combinations of designs. The designed panels can be purchased at local hardware stores provided by the fence manufacturer or custom made for the customers using stained glass designs or precut plastic designs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in greater details by the following drawings:
FIG. 1 is perspective of the complete Vinyl Fencing Assembly Systems according to the invention. The isometric view shows the modular molded frame with its designed panels installed.
FIG. 2 is front view of the complete Vinyl Fencing Assembly Systems according to the invention. The front view shows the modular molded frame with its designed panels installed.
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of all the components of the complete vinyl fence system prior to be assembled.
FIG. 4 is an exploded front view of all the components of the complete vinyl fence system prior to be assembled.
FIG. 5 is the perspective view of the typical modular molded frame component of the vinyl fence. The modular molded frame design can vary according to final vinyl fence (rectangular, curved, or any design)
FIG. 6 is the perspective view of the modular frame with its interchangeable design panel prior to assembly.
FIG. 7 is the perspective view of Modular molded frame with its interchangeable design panels in place
FIG. 8 is the perspective view of a typical design panel.
FIG. 9 is the perspective detail view of the slot opening 4, the vertical slider 5 and the horizontal slot opening 6 of the modular molded frame 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Designated generally in FIG. 1 is the preferred complete vinyl fence with the Modular Molded Frame 1 with its interchangeable, decorative, seasonal and functional design panels 2 system for Vinyl/PVC fencing 3 and its method of fabrication of the present invention. Typically, the complete assembly system would be produced, sold and assembled as part of the complete fencing system with all the components in place to provide the fence system.
Per FIG. 1 the modular molded frame 1 and its decorative, seasonal and functional panels 2 can be place anywhere on the vinyl fence main body 3, on top of the fence, on the bottom of the fence, on the side of the fence. This arrangement can have one or multiples modular molded frame 1 to one main vinyl fence body 3. FIG. 1 shows the preferred location of the modular molded frame with the interchangeable design panels 2 in place on the main body of the vinyl fence 3 (top of the fence).
Designated generally in FIG. 3 is the preferred assembly sequence details for the complete vinyl fence system which consist of a modular molded frame 1 which will be assemble to the vinyl fence main body 3 by mechanical or non-mechanical fasteners systems or by sliding in place the modular molded frame 1 to the main vinyl fence main body 3, once the modular molded frame 1 is secured in place, the decorative, seasonal and functional panels 2 can be installed by sliding the decorative, seasonal and functional panels 2 through the upper slot opening 4 of the modular molded frame 1, the decorative, seasonal and functional panels are located and secured in place by the vertical channels 5 and the horizontal channel 6 of the modular molded frame 1. The panels 2 can be interchangeable at any time by sliding the panels 2 which changes the theme of the vinyl fence with the customer desires and needs. The modular molded frame 1 with its design panels 2 already in place will be secured with a topper 7.
Per FIG. 3 the molded modular frame assembly would be secured and held in place by a topper (new design or exiting design) cover 7 which will slide on top of the molded modular frame 1 and its panels 2, then the topper cover 7 will be fastened to the fence main body 3 by mechanical fasteners.
Per FIG. 5 is the typical modular molded frame 1 which can be of any design configuration to accommodate the final vinyl fence system per FIG. 1.
Per FIG. 6 is the modular molded frame 1 with the interchangeable design panels 2 prior to be assemble.
Per FIG. 7 is the modular molded frame 1 with the interchangeable design panels 2 in place.
Per FIG. 8 is a typical interchangeable, ornamental, decorative, seasonal and functional design panel 2 showing a typical design.
Per FIG. 9 the perspective view shows the upper slot opening 4 where the interchangeable design panels 2, from FIG. 8 will enter the modular molded frame 1 and the vertical sliders 5 and the horizontal slot opening 6 which accommodated and secured the design panels 2 from FIG. 8, in place and in their final place.
Designated generally in FIG. 1 is the preferred complete vinyl fence with the Modular Molded Frame 1 with its interchangeable, decorative, seasonal and functional design panels 2 system for Vinyl/PVC fencing 3 and its method of fabrication of the present invention showing the incorporated light system 8 for night display.
The invention has been described above in terms of preferred embodiments thereof. It will be understood that the invention is not limited to these particular embodiments. Numerous other embodiments and modifications within the scope and spirit of the invention will, given benefit of the disclosure, occur to those having ordinary skills in the art.

Claims

1-19. (canceled)

20. The modular molded frame structure comprising at least made from any plastic (vinyl/pvc or other plastics) and the encapsulated ornamental, decorative and functional panels are the main components to form the whole display system for vinyl fencing applicable to privacy fences and garden fencing.

21. The modular molded frame structure made from plastic (vinyl/pvc or other plastics) according to claim 20, further comprising, at least with one or more spaced compartments with slots or channels to support and encapsulate the ornamental, decorative and functional panels in place.

22. The modular molded frame made from plastic (vinyl/pvc or other plastics) according to claim 20, further comprising, at least has design slots or channels to accommodate the ornamental, decorative and functional panels.

23. The modular molded frame structure made from plastic (vinyl/pvc or other plastics) according to claim 20, further comprising, at least one slots/cavities/channels will provide ease of assembly by sliding the ornamental, decorative and functional panels in place to secure and support the panels.

24. The modular molded frame according to claim 20 further comprising, at least one slots/cavities/channels in the modular frame structure will provide ease for future replacements with new ornamental, decorative and functional panel designs.

25. The modular molded frame according to claim 20 further comprising, at least one slot or channels can be of different designs and sizes to accommodate the ornamental, decorative and functional panels in place to secure and support the panel.

26. The modular molded frame according to claim 20 further comprising, at least one designed panels for residential privacy fence usage will have a solid white middle insert to separate the designs panel in order to prevent disharmony between neighbors in case of disagreement over panel designs.

27. The modular molded frame according to claim 20 further comprising, at least can be fastened to main fence body by using any type of mechanical fastener or non mechanical fastener depending on the final vinyl fence design, to ease the assembly of the final vinyl fence.

28. The modular molded frame according to claim 20 further comprising, at least a number of channels of the modular frame that accommodate and secure the design panels will be established by the number of panels when placed back to back on the each of the modular frame compartments.

29. The modular molded frame according to claim 20 further comprising, at least can vary according to the final vinyl fence design, the frame design can be rectangular, square, curved, or any design.

30. The modular molded frame according to claim 20 further comprising, at least can applicable to privacy fences, border garden fencing systems, privacy screens fences or any type of vinyl fencing systems.

31. The ornamental, decorative and functional panels comprising at least can be made using stained glass, plastics, wood, metals, or any combination thereof to produce decorative designs for company logos, sceneries, holiday themes, nature scenes, or any type of the design that can be displayed anywhere on or within the vinyl fencing system.

32. The ornamental, decorative and functional panels according to claim 31 further comprising at least one single or multiple panels can be mounted on the modular molded frame structure anywhere on or within the vinyl fencing.

33. The ornamental, decorative and functional panels according to claim 31 further comprising at least dimensions (width, length and thickness) can vary according to the number of panels on the modular frame structure.

34. The ornamental, decorative and functional panels according to claim 31 further comprising at least can be replaced by the customer at their homes or facilities with ease of assembly and disassembly.

35. The ornamental, decorative and functional panels according to claim 31 further comprising at least can be made from transparent, translucent, opaque plastic materials, glass, wood, metal or any other materials or combination of all materials and designs.

36. The ornamental, decorative and functional panels according to claim 31 further comprising at least can be custom made or purchased from the fence manufacturer.

37. The modular molded frame structure, made from any plastic (vinyl/pvc or other plastics) and the encapsulated ornamental, decorative and functional panels are the main components to form the whole display system for vinyl fencing applicable to privacy fences and garden fencing comprising at least will incorporate a light system to illuminate the fencing system during the night time by having solar lights or permanent lights according to the desired design or needs.