Fence edge and seal

Abstract

A fence edge and seal that includes At least one spike having an elongated body with a first end and a second end, the first end having a point or edge that allows the spike to be driven into the ground, and a generally horizontal connector. The horizontal connector extends from the second end of the body of the spike, and a fence engagement connector extends away from the horizontal connector, the fence engagement connector allows the spike to attach to the lower edge of a fence panel.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A fence edge and seal for use below a generally planar fence, the fence having a lower edge and extending from the lower edge above a ground level surface, the edge and seal inhibiting animals from escaping under the lower edge of the fence, the edge and seal comprising: 
 at least one spike having an elongated body with a first end and a second end, the first end being adapted for being driven into the ground level surface; and    a generally horizontal connector, the horizontal connector extending from the second end of the body of the spike, and a fence engagement connector extending away from the horizontal connector; and    a fence engagement mechanism, the fence engagement mechanism being connected to the spike, so that after driving the spike into the ground level surface and engaging the lower edge of the fence with said fence engagement mechanism a passage under the lower edge of the fence is impeded by the elongated body of the spike.    
     
     
         2 . A fence edge and seal according to  claim 1  wherein said horizontal connector and said spike are generally coplanar, and said fence engagement mechanism is adapted for allowing engagement of the fence edge and seal by providing an engagement device that extends from a plane defined by said horizontal connector and said spike.  
     
     
         3 . A fence edge and seal according to  claim 1  wherein said horizontal connector and said spike are generally coplanar, and said fence engagement mechanism extends from a plane defined by said horizontal connector and said spike.  
     
     
         4 . A fence edge and seal according to  claim 1  wherein said horizontal connector further comprises a connector that allows the fence edge and seal to attach to a second section of fence edge and seal.  
     
     
         5 . A fence edge and seal for use below a generally planar fence, the fence having a lower edge and extending from the lower edge above a ground level surface, the edge and seal inhibiting animals from escaping under the lower edge of the fence, the edge and seal comprising: 
 a spike having an elongated body with a first end, a second end, and sides extending between the first end and the second end, the first end being adapted for being driven into the ground level surface; and    a generally horizontal connector, the horizontal connector extending from the sides of the elongated body at a location near the second end of the elongated body of the spike, the horizontal connector having ends that have been adapted for engaging the ends of an adjacent horizontal connector, and a fence engagement connector extending away from the horizontal connector; and    a fence engagement mechanism, the fence engagement mechanism being connected to the spike, so that after driving the spike into the ground level surface and engaging the lower edge of the fence with said fence engagement mechanism a passage under the lower edge of the fence is impeded by the elongated body of the spike.    
     
     
         6 . A fence edge and seal according to  claim 5  a second spike, the spike and the second spike being connected by a generally horizontal section of material.  
     
     
         7 . A fence edge and seal according to  claim 6  wherein said generally horizontal section of material is substantially rigid.  
     
     
         8 . A fence edge and seal according to  claim 6  wherein said generally horizontal section of material is flexible.  
     
     
         9 . A fence edge and seal according to  claim 7  wherein said horizontal section of material, said spike and said second spike are generally coplanar.  
     
     
         10 . A fence edge and seal according to  claim 7  wherein said second spike is at an angle to said spike.  
     
     
         11 . A method for impeding the passage of an animal under a generally planar fence, the fence having a lower edge and extending from the lower edge above a ground level surface, the method comprising: providing a fence edge and seal, the edge and seal comprising: 
 at least one spike having an elongated body with a first end and a second end, the first end being adapted for being driven into the ground level surface; and    a generally horizontal connector, the horizontal connector extending from the second end of the body of the spike, and a fence engagement connector extending away from the horizontal connector; and    a fence engagement mechanism, the fence engagement mechanism being connected to the spike;    driving the spike into the ground level surface at a location next to the lower edge of the fence; and    engaging the lower edge of the fence with said fence engagement mechanism, so that a passage under the lower edge of the fence is impeded by the elongated body of the spike.    
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 11  and further comprising providing a providing a second section of fence edge and seal, the second section of edge and seal comprising: 
 at least one spike having an elongated body with a first end and a second end, the first end being adapted for being driven into the ground level surface; and  
 a generally horizontal connector, the horizontal connector extending from the second end of the body of the spike, and a fence engagement connector extending away from the horizontal connector; and  
 a fence engagement mechanism, the fence engagement mechanism being connected to the spike;  
 driving the spike into the ground level surface at a location next to the lower edge of the fence; and  
 engaging the lower edge of the fence with said fence engagement mechanism; and  
 attaching the second section of fence edge and seal next to the section of edge and seal, so that a passage under the lower edge of the fence is impeded by the elongated body of the spike.  
 
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 11  and further comprising providing a providing a second section of fence edge and seal, the second section of edge and seal comprising: 
 at least one spike having an elongated body with a first end and a second end, the first end being adapted for being driven into the ground level surface; and  
 a generally horizontal connector, the horizontal connector extending from the second end of the body of the spike, and a fence engagement connector extending away from the horizontal connector; and  
 a fence engagement mechanism, the fence engagement mechanism being connected to the spike;  
 driving the spike into the ground level surface at a location next to the lower edge of the fence; and  
 engaging the lower edge of the fence with said fence engagement mechanism; and  
 attaching the second section of fence edge and seal to the section of edge and seal, so that a passage under the lower edge of the fence is impeded by the elongated body of the spike.  
 
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 11  wherein said step of engaging the lower edge of the fence with said fence engagement mechanism comprises driving a fastener through the section of edge and seal.  
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 12  wherein said step of engaging the lower edge of the fence with said fence engagement mechanism comprises driving a fastener through the section of edge and seal.  
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 13  wherein said step of engaging the lower edge of the fence with said fence engagement mechanism comprises driving a fastener through the section of edge and seal.