Virtual privacy fence panels

Abstract

Privacy panels that are attached to a non-privacy fence to turn the non-privacy fence into a virtual privacy fence that also provides a wind blocking function. Lightweight panels that can be decorated are hung from or otherwise attached to an existing fence so that the view of anyone trying to see through the fence is blocked. The panels may be constructed of a solid or semi-solid material or they can be made of a material that may be rolled up for storage. The panels are preferably attached to the fence with loops or Velcro straps however, other attachment means may be utilized. The panels can be made of a single material or each panel can have an inner material with one or more outer coverings. Optionally, hooks and pockets can be provided on the panels for hanging and storage of personal items.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A removably attachable virtual privacy fence assembly adapted to be removably attached to an existing fence, the assembly providing a privacy and wind-blocking function, said fence having a predetermined size and surface area with outer and inner surfaces, said virtual privacy fence assembly comprising: 
 one or more generally rectangular panel elements, each panel element comprising a flexible planar material for placement on said outer or inner surface of said fence, each panel element having a top, bottom, and side edges and being large enough to cover at least a portion of the surface area of said fence, wherein multiple panel elements may be used to completely cover the outer or inner surface area of the fence; and    each panel element comprises at least one attachment device for securing the panel element to said fence wherein the attachment device(s) are connected to the top, bottom, and/or side edges of said panel elements.    
     
     
         2 . The virtual privacy fence assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said attachment device(s) for securing said panel element(s) to said fence comprises a strap in the form of a loop and the loop is secured to the panel elements by being sewn, glued, riveted, or stapled to the panel elements.  
     
     
         3 . The virtual privacy fence assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said attachment device comprises a strap and one end of the strap is permanently attached to the panel and the other end of the strap is releasably attached to the panel via at least one fastener selected from a group consisting of Velcro, loop and peg, snaps, buttons, buckles, and hooks and eyes.  
     
     
         4 . The virtual privacy fence assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said panel elements comprise an inner material and one or more outer coverings.  
     
     
         5 . The virtual privacy fence assembly of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the panels are decorated with artwork, pictures, additional fabric and/or a mural.  
     
     
         6 . The virtual privacy fence assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said panel elements are in a shape other than rectangular.  
     
     
         7 . The virtual privacy fence assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said flexible planar material of said panel elements comprises at least one substance selected from a group consisting of canvas, plastic, vinyl, polyethylene, nylon, cotton, cloth, paper, fiber, polyester or metal.  
     
     
         8 . The virtual privacy fence assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment device comprises a rope, nylon, fabric, Velcro, fabric, polyester and/or an elastic material.  
     
     
         9 . The virtual privacy fence assembly of  claim 1 , wherein one or more garment hooks and/or pockets are provided on one or more of the panels for hanging and storage of personal items.  
     
     
         10 . The virtual privacy fence assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment device is one or more hooks.  
     
     
         11 . A method for providing privacy and wind-blocking through the use of a removably attachable virtual privacy fence assembly that is adapted to be removably attached to an existing fence, wherein the fence has a predetermined size, and outer and inner surfaces, the method comprising the steps of: 
 designing one or more generally rectangular panel elements wherein, the panel elements are comprised of a flexible planar material for placement on the outer or inner surface of the fence, the panel elements having a top, bottom, and side edges and the panel elements may be used to completely cover the surface area of the fence; and    securing the panel elements to the fence with one or more attachment devices that are secured to the top, bottom, and/or side edges of the panel elements.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said attachment device(s) for securing said panel element(s) to said fence comprises a strap in the form of a loop and the loop is secured to the panel elements by being sewn, glued, riveted, or stapled to the panel elements.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said attachment devices comprise a strap and one end of the strap is permanently attached to the panel and the other end of the strap is releasably attached to the panel via at least one fastener selected from a group consisting of Velcro, loop and peg, snaps, buttons, buckles, and hooks and eyes.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said panel elements comprise an inner material and one or more outer coverings.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein one or more of the panels are decorated with artwork, pictures, additional fabric and/or a mural.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said panel elements are in a shape other than rectangular.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said flexible planar material of said panel elements comprises at least one substance selected from a group consisting of canvas, plastic, vinyl, polyethylene, nylon, cotton, cloth, paper, fiber or metal.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the attachment devices comprise a rope, nylon, polyester, fabric and/or an elastic material.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein one or more garment hooks and/or pockets are provided on one or more of the panels for hanging and storage of personal items.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the attachment device is one or more hooks.