Portable collapsible corral fence and method of use

Abstract

A portable and collapsible fence that can be conveniently stored and transported in a lightweight carrying case. The fence includes panels having telescopic rail sections and telescopic posts. The middle section of each fence panel includes a series of spaced “rail pairs.” The use of the rail pairs adds structural stability to the fence panels and allows the fence panels to utilize many identical parts, such that the panels can be manufactured efficiently and economically. The fence is also preferably formed of lightweight polymer so that it is resilient and easily transported by hand in a relatively small carrying case provided therefor.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A portable and collapsible fence panel, comprising: 
 a plurality of rail sections connected to one another, said rail sections being, expandable and contractible with respect to one another in a substantially horizontal direction;    a first of said rail sections comprising a plurality of spaced rails disposed substantially parallel to one another; and    a second of said rail sections comprising a plurality of rail pairs disposed substantially parallel to one another.    
     
     
         2 . The fence panel of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of said rail sections comprises a third rail section, said second rail section being intermediate said first and third rail sections.  
     
     
         3 . The fence panel of  claim 2 , wherein said first rail section and said third rail section comprise end posts at distal ends thereof.  
     
     
         4 . The fence panel of  claim 3 , wherein said end posts are expandable in a vertical direction.  
     
     
         5 . The fence panel of  claim 4 , wherein said end posts telescope.  
     
     
         6 . The fence panel of  claim 1 , wherein said rail sections telescope with respect to one another.  
     
     
         7 . The fence panel of  claim 1 , wherein said fence panel is comprised of a polymeric material.  
     
     
         8 . The fence panel of  claim 2 , wherein said polymeric material is stabilized for resistance to ultraviolet radiation.  
     
     
         9 . The fence panel of  claim 1 , wherein said rail sections are comprised of cylindrically shaped members.  
     
     
         10 . The fence panel of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a third rail section, said second rail section being intermediate said first and third rail sections;    a left end post connected to said first rail section and a right end post connected to said third rail section;    a first clamping member connecting said first rail section to said left end post and a second clamping member connecting said third rail section to said right end posts;    said first and second clamping members being substantially identical and including connecting members, said first clamping member being positioned at a first vertical elevation on said left end post and said second clamping member being positioned at a second elevation on said right end post, said first and second elevations chosen such that said connecting members of said first and second clamping members vertically align with one another; and    whereby, two of said fence panels may be connected by connecting a first said clamping member of one of said two fence panels with a second said clamping member of the other of said two fence panels.    
     
     
         11 . The fence panel of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a third rail section, said second rail section being intermediate said first and third rail sections; and    said first rail section and said third rail section movable horizontally in substantially opposite directions with respect to said second rail section.    
     
     
         12 . The fence panel of  claim 11 , wherein said first rail section includes first rails and said second rail section includes second rails, said first rails and said second rails being vertically offset.  
     
     
         13 . The fence panel of  claim 1 , wherein said rail pairs comprise two rail members disposed in a common vertical plane.  
     
     
         14 . A portable and collapsible fence panel, comprising: 
 a plurality of rail sections connected to one another, said rail sections being expandable and contractible with respect to one another in a substantially horizontal direction;    said fence panel including a first end post having a first connecting member and a second end post having a second connecting member; and    said first and second connecting members being substantially identical, said first connecting member being positioned at a first vertical elevation on said first end post and said second connecting member being positioned at a second elevation on said second end post, said first and second elevations chosen such that said connecting members vertically align with one another, whereby multiple said panels can be connected.    
     
     
         15 . The fence panel of  claim 14 , wherein said rail sections comprise two end rail sections and a center rail section, said end rail sections being movable horizontally in substantially opposite directions with respect to one another.  
     
     
         16 . A method of forming a fence from collapsible panels, said method comprising: 
 (a) vertically and horizontally expanding the panels;    (b) selecting a shape of an outline which the assembled fence will occupy;    (c) connecting the panels together; and    (d) pivoting the panels about one another to form the shape.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising disassembling the panels and placing them into the carrying bag.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising removing the panels from a carrying bag prior to step (a).  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising placing the assembled fence against a trailer, whereby the trailer forms a side of the fence.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising connecting one of the panels to a connector member mounted on the trailer.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising placing at least one horse with the confines of the fence before the assembly is completed.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising, after step (d), separating two of the panels from one another, leading a horse into the confines defined by the fence and reconnecting the two panels.  
     
     
         23 . The fence panel of  claim 1 , wherein said rail sections are comprised of members having a polygonal cross section.  
     
     
         24 . The fence panel of  claim 2 , wherein said end posts further comprise one of the foot and a stake member.