TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to fences, in particular fences adapted to form functional or decorative barriers that may include longitudinal rails and upright members; fences that may be made of panels; and, fences that may include longitudinal strands of woven materials.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Fences contribute to the overall appeal of a property. Various types of fences are presently in use, including concrete, picket fences made of wood or vinyl materials, bricks, wires, and the like. Fences made of natural or indigenous materials are also presently in use, such as fences made of bamboos. These fences that are made of natural or indigenous materials may be appealing, as they may bring about a message of being environmentally-conscious, earthy, or green. Because the natural or indigenous materials may not be as durable as metal or concrete fences, it is desirable to have fence apparatus and methods that utilize natural or indigenous materials in a manner where their ability to withstand the test of time and damaging elements or weather is improved.

SUMMARY

[0003] The present disclosure discloses a barrier material that includes a plurality of frame members adapted to form a frame; a plurality of support rods positioned in between the frame members; a plurality of vineyard canes intertwined around the plurality of support rods; and at least one rail positioned in between the frame members, the rail being adapted to support the frame members.

[0004] The present disclosure also discloses a barrier apparatus that includes a plurality of frames, each of the plurality of frames comprising: a plurality of frame members; a plurality of support rods positioned in between the plurality of frame members; and a plurality of vineyard canes twisted around each of the plurality of support rods, the plurality of vineyard canes adapted to form a wall; at least one support pole corresponding to each of the plurality of frames; and an in- ground pole mount comprising a recess formed from a ground and a sleeve positioned within the recess, the sleeve being configured to contain a portion of the support pole.

[0005] The present disclosure further discloses a method of creating a barrier, the method comprising: processing a plurality of vineyard canes; providing a plurality of frame members; forming a frame using the plurality of frame members; providing a plurality of support rods and positioning each of the plurality of support rods within the frame; and weaving the plurality of vineyard canes around the plurality of support rods, wherein the plurality of vineyard canes form a wall that serves as a barrier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a front side of an exemplary fence that includes a plurality of fence panels.

[0007] Figure 2 is an elevational view of an exemplary fence panel.

[0008] Figure 3 is a schematic view showing the components of yet another exemplary fence panel.

[0009] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken from the fence panel of figure 3.

[0010] Figure 5 is an exploded view of showing the attachment components of the frame members.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

[0012] The present disclosure comprises a fence apparatus adapted to form a functional barrier, such as to prevent intrusions, provide privacy, or to provide a wall, such as for growing vines. The fence apparatus may also provide a decorative wall or panel. In an exemplary embodiment shown in figure 1 , the fence apparatus 20 may include a plurality of panel frames 22a-d, which may stand erect from the ground and form a wall 24. Each of the panel frames 22a-d may be of different dimensions. For instance, panel frames 22a-c may have varying heights from the ground such that they appear to ascend from panel frame 22a to panel frame 22c like a staircase. Some of the panel frames may also have equal dimensions, such as panel frames 22c and 22d. The number of panel frames that have varying heights or equal dimensions may vary depending on the level of the ground and the desired appearance.

[0013] Referring now to figure 2, each panel frame 22a-d preferably includes a plurality of frame members, such as vertically disposed and opposing frame members 34a and 34b and horizontally disposed and opposing frame members 36a and 36b. Vertically disposed and opposing frame members 34a and 34b may sometimes be referred to as the upright frame members 34a and 34b, respectively. Horizontally disposed and opposing frame members 36a and 36b may sometimes be referred to as the longitudinal frame members 36a and 36b, respectively.

[0014] Frame members 34a, 34b, 36a, and 36b may be arranged to form a rectangular frame and may be secured to each other by fasteners known in the art. For instance, the upright frame members 34a and 34b may include threaded opposing ends (not shown) to where the longitudinal frame members 36a and 36b may be fastened. The longitudinal frame members 36a and 36b may include corresponding recesses for receiving the threaded ends, which may then be secured with fastening nuts (not shown). The fastening nuts may optionally be covered with a hemisphere cap (not shown). It is noted that the disclosure is not limited to a certain number of frame members or to a certain shape. In the exemplary embodiment shown, frame member 36b preferably defines a plurality of drainage holes 39a and 39b adapted to allow water to be drained off the frame. It can be appreciated that when water is introduced to the fence apparatus, either through rain, gardening, or sprinklers, water may weaken the integrity of the frames or may affect the looks of the fence. For instance, the fence may rust, or the vineyard canes that form the wall of the fence, as further described below, may deteriorate. The availability of the drainage holes is a feature that may provide longevity to the fence apparatus both in terms of durability and appearance.

[0015] A plurality of support rods 38a-d is preferably positioned in between the vertically disposed and opposing frame members 34a and 34b. The support rods 38a-d may be vertically oriented relative to the frame members 34a and 34b, and some of them may be equally spaced next to each other. Each of the end of the plurality of the support rods 38a-d are preferably fastened by fasteners known in the art to the horizontally disposed and opposing frame members 36a and 36b. A plurality of plant materials 40 preferably derived from natural plants are preferably weaved around the support rods 38a-d. The plant materials are preferably in a form of vineyard canes, including Cabernet, Grenache, and other vigorous vines. As used herein, the term "vineyard canes" may sometimes be known as grape canes. The vineyard canes are preferably processed. For instance, they may be cut at a uniform length; their spurs, buds, or other projecting pieces may be trimmed or cut; they may be treated with waterproofing materials or preservatives; or, they may be stained, varnished or painted with a desired paint color. The wood stains and preservatives may include ammonia, copper, or Alkaline Copper Quaternary types A, B, C, or D (commonly known as ACQ), and their combinations.

[0016] The term "weaved" may interchangeably be used with the terms "interlaced,"

"intertwined," or "twisted" to refer to a configuration wherein a strand of vineyard cane contacts varying sides of the support rods 38a-d. For the sake of clarity, the support rods 38a-d may include a front side and a back side. Strand 42 may contact the front side of support rod 38d then the back side of support rod 38c then the front side of support rod 38b and then the back side of support rod 38a. Strand 40 may contact the back side of support rod 38d then the front side of support rod 38c then the back side of support rod 38b and then the back side of support rod 38a. It is noted that the disclosure is not limited to a certain weaving pattern of any of the plant materials. It can be appreciated that the weaving of the plant materials around the support rods 38a-d aids in holding them in place within the frame.

[0017] Referring now to figure 3, the fence apparatus may include a plant material clamp 44 preferably adapted to hold one end of a plurality of plant materials. The plant material clamp 44 may be a wire, string, plastic ties, or other clamps known in the art. In the exemplar shown, the plant material clamp 44 is in a form of an intertwined wire that includes a plurality of loops 46a-d. Each of the plurality of loops 46a-d is preferably configured to hold a group of plant material at a desired position, such as in the middle or their ends. As time goes by, the plant materials may deteriorate, become brittle, and easily separate from each other destroying or creating holes to the barrier. It can be realized that the plant material clamp 44 may aid in preventing this from occurring and may provide additional support and durability to the plant materials. Various plant material clamps 44 may be used to hold various groups of plant materials to create a desired shape or pattern. The various plant material clamps 44 may be attached to one or more support rods, as desired.

[0018] The fence apparatus shown in figure 3 may also include a reinforcement rail 48 adapted to be positioned in between vertically disposed and opposing frame members 34a and 34b (not shown in figure 4). The reinforcement rail 48 may be made of strong materials, such as metal, and is preferably adapted to prevent each of the frame members 34a and 34b from deforming. The deformation of the frame members 34a and 34b is preferably minimized by the reinforcement rail 48, as this may lead to the destruction of the fence and to unappealing look of the fence. Each of the support rods 38a-d preferably passes through and crosses the reinforcement rail 48. It can be appreciated that this crisscross orientation may further add strength to each panel.

[0019] With reference now to figure 4, each of the frame members 34a and 34b preferably form a C-shaped channel to contain within its channel the plant material strands 40 and 42 that are held by the plant material clamp 44. Plant material strands 40 and 42 are preferably weaved around support rods 38a-d in a desired weaving pattern, which can vary from the weaving pattern shown in figure 5. Referring now to figure 5, each of the frame member 34a and 34b preferably includes a pair of frame mounting ends 35a and 35b and corresponding frame mounting brackets 37a and 37b.

In certain embodiments, frame mounting ends 35a and 35b are preferably cut to accommodate the horizontal frame members 36a and 36b in a manner wherein the horizontal frame member 36a can be continuously attached to and can form a right angle with vertical frame member 34a, and the horizontal frame member 36b can also continuously be attached to and can form a right angle with vertical frame member 34a. Frame mounting brackets 37a and 37b may each be an L-shaped bracket. A portion of each of the frame mounting bracket 37a or 37b may be attached to its respective horizontal frame member and another portion may be attached to its respective vertical frame member. In embodiments where multiple panels are used to build a fence and the multiple panels have varying heights, such as the ascending panels shown in figure 1, the L-shaped bracket may be used to attach the panels to each other. More specifically, a horizontal portion of the reshaped bracket may be attached to a horizontal frame member of a first panel, and a vertical portion of the L-shaped bracket may be attached to a vertical frame member of a second panel. In embodiments where the multiple panels are of the same height, a one-piece flat mount may be used. A portion of the flat mount may be attached to a horizontal frame member of a first panel, and an opposing portion of the flat mount may be attached to a horizontal frame member of a second panel.

[0020] Each panel 22a-d is preferably made to stand on the ground using a combination of a pole 50 and an in-ground stake mount 52. The pole 50 is preferably attached by fasteners known in the art or by welding to the vertical frame members 34a and 34b (either on the side or on the portion of the frame member configured to be on the same plane as the rear side of the barrier). The pole preferably descends up to 36 inches below the bottom of the frame member and can be cut to a desired length. The in-ground stake mount 52 is preferably in a form of a recess formed on a ground and a sleeve 54 positioned within the recess. The in-ground stake mount 52 may be created by digging a hole on the ground, pouring concrete, and positioning a sleeve in the hole before the concrete dries. The pole 50 is preferably configured to be inserted into the sleeve, which consequently would hold the panel in an upright position.

[0021] It can be realized that certain embodiments provide fence apparatus that use the combination of durable materials, such as steel, with indigenous materials to withstand the test of time and natural elements, such as wind, rain, and sun. Certain embodiments provide fence apparatus that are made of replaceable parts so that when the replaceable parts show some signs of wear, they can be replaced for maintenance, or when the replaceable parts break, they can be replaced, which avoids having to discard the entire fence apparatus. The durable materials typically have a much longer lifespan than the indigenous materials. The present disclosure allows for the indigenous materials to be easily replaced to match the longevity of the durable materials. The present disclosure also provides indigenous materials that are fast growing, regenerative, and available all year long. The indigenous materials can be grouped independently and then slid over and tucked in the frame members of an empty frame to swap in a new woven barrier. [0022] While the exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention.