Architectural and protective roof for fences

Abstract

A roof for fences comprises a top panel extending over the upper ends of the pickets and the upper runner of a fence and side panels extending downwardly from the top panel substantially parallel to the pickets. The side panels may be configured to grippingly engage the components of the fence. The roof may be formed from a variety of weather resistant materials including metals and plastics and may be provided with a variety of decorative finishes and configurations.

1 . A roof for fences of the type comprising horizontally disposed runners and vertically disposed pickets secured to the runners comprising: 
 a top panel extending across the upper ends of the pickets comprising the fence;    side panels extending downwardly from the top panel and substantially parallel to the pickets of the fence;    the top panel and the side panels comprising a unitary structure formed from a weather resistant material.    
     
     
         2 . The roof for fences according to  claim 1  wherein the top panel and the side panels comprising the roof are formed from a metal selected from the group consisting of steel, copper, and aluminum.  
     
     
         3 . The roof for fences according to  claim 1  wherein the metal comprising the top panel and side panels of the roof has a protective coating applied thereto.  
     
     
         4 . The roof for fences according to  claim 1  wherein the top panel and the side panels comprising the roof are formed from a plastic material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurethane, and vinyl.  
     
     
         5 . The roof for fences according to  claim 4  wherein the material comprising the top panel and side panels of the roof has a protective coating applied thereto.  
     
     
         6 . The roof for fences according to  claim 1  wherein the side panels comprising the roof extend downwardly to lower edges which extend parallel to the top panel.  
     
     
         7 . The roof for fences according to  claim 1  wherein the side panels extend downwardly to lower edges comprising a scalloped configuration.  
     
     
         8 . The roof for fences according to  claim 1  wherein the side panels extend downwardly to lower edges having cut outs formed therein.  
     
     
         9 . The roof for fences according to  claim 1  wherein the side panels comprise decorative geometric figures.  
     
     
         10 . The roof for fences according to  claim 1  wherein the side panels are spring biased inwardly for gripping engagement with components of the fence upon which the roof is mounted.  
     
     
         11 . In combination with a fence of the type comprising horizontally disposed runners and vertically disposed pickets secured to the runners, a roof for protecting at least the upper ends of the pickets comprising the fence, said roof comprising: 
 a top panel extending across the upper ends of the pickets comprising the fence; and    side panels extending downwardly from the top panel and comprising: 
 a. upper side wall portions extending downwardly from the top panel substantially parallel to and spaced apart from the pickets comprising the fence;  
 b. inwardly extending portions which extend inwardly from the lower ends of the upper side wall portions toward the pickets comprising the fence; and  
 c. lower side wall portions extending downwardly from the inner ends of the inwardly extending portions;  
   the top panel and the side panels comprising a unitary structure formed from a weather resistant material.    
     
     
         12 . The roof for fences according to  claim 11  wherein the top panel and the side panels comprising the roof are formed from a metal selected from the group consisting of steel, copper, and aluminum.  
     
     
         13 . The roof for fences according to  claim 11  wherein the metal comprising the top panel and side panels of the roof has a protective coating applied thereto.  
     
     
         14 . The roof for fences according to  claim 11  wherein the top panel and the side panels comprising the roof are formed from a plastic material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurethane, and vinyl.  
     
     
         15 . The roof for fences according to  claim 14  wherein the material comprising the top panel and side panels of the roof has a protective coating applied thereto.  
     
     
         16 . The roof for fences according to  claim 11  wherein the side panels comprising the roof extend downwardly to lower edges which extend parallel to the top panel.  
     
     
         17 . The roof for fences according to  claim 11  wherein the side panels extend downwardly to lower edges comprising a scalloped configuration.  
     
     
         18 . The roof for fences according to  claim 11  wherein the side panels extend downwardly to lower edges having cut-outs formed therein.  
     
     
         19 . The roof for fences according to  claim 11  wherein the side panels comprise decorative geometric figures.  
     
     
         20 . The roof for fences according to  claim 11  wherein the lower side panels are spring biased inwardly for gripping engagement with components of the fence upon which the roof is mounted.