Non-conductive fencing

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a composite fence system comprised of fiber reinforced polymers and other polymers. In this regard, the present invention provides a composite fence system that is strong, durable, substantially non-conductive, and generally transparent to electromagnetic energy. The composite fence system includes at least one composite fence panel, at least one support member such as a support post or a stiffening plate, and a composite plug or fastener that is received by one or more apertures defined in the composite fence panel for coupling the composite fence panel to the support member.

1 . A composite fence system, comprising: 
 a composite fence panel comprised of polymer-based materials, the composite fence panel forming a grid structure defining a plurality of apertures;    a composite support post comprised of polymer-based materials, the composite support post defining a bore; and    a composite plug comprised of polymer-based materials, the composite plug including a wedge portion, a threaded member extending from the wedge portion, and a composite nut structured to rotatably engage the threaded member thereby tightening the composite nut over the threaded member; and    wherein the composite fence panel is coupled to the composite support post by seating the wedge portion of the composite plug into one of the apertures of the composite fence panel, positioning the composite support post adjacent the composite fence panel such that the threaded member of the composite plug extends through the bore defined in the composite support post, and tightening the composite nut over the threaded member of the composite plug.    
   
   
       2 . The composite fence system of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer-based materials comprise fiberglass fibers.  
   
   
       3 . The composite fence system of  claim 1 , wherein the composite support post defines an I-shaped cross-section.  
   
   
       4 . The composite fence system of  claim 1 , wherein the composite support post defines a rectangular cross-section.  
   
   
       5 . The composite fence system of  claim 1 , wherein the composite support post is generally cylindrically-shaped.  
   
   
       6 . The composite fence system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an anti-climb fence panel comprised of polymer-based materials, the anti-climb fence panel including a first surface, a second surface, and at least one aperture defined between the first and second surfaces;    an angled bracket defining a first contact surface and a second contract surface, wherein the first contact surface defines a first bore and the second contact surface defines a second bore;    a second composite plug comprised of polymer-based materials, the second composite plug including a second wedge portion, a second threaded member extending from the second wedge portion, and a second composite nut structured to rotatably engage the second threaded member thereby tightening the second composite nut over the second threaded member; and    a third composite plug comprised of polymer-based materials, the third composite plug including a third wedge portion, a third threaded member extending from the third wedge portion, and a third composite nut structured to rotatably engage the third threaded member thereby tightening the third composite nut over the third threaded member;    wherein the anti-climb fence panel is coupled to the angled bracket by seating the second wedge portion of the second composite plug into the at least one aperture of the anti-climb fence panel, positioning the first contact surface of the angled bracket adjacent the anti-climb fence panel such that the second threaded member of the second composite plug extends through the bore defined in the first contact surface of the angled bracket, and tightening the second composite nut over the second threaded member of the second composite plug, and    wherein the composite fence panel is coupled to the angled bracket by seating the third wedge portion of the third composite plug into one of the apertures of the composite fence panel, positioning the second contact surface of the angled bracket adjacent the composite fence panel such that the third threaded member of the third composite plug extends through the bore defined in the second contact surface of the angled bracket, and tightening the third composite nut over the third threaded member of the third composite plug.    
   
   
       7 . A composite plug adapted for insertion into an aperture defined between first and second surfaces of a composite fence panel, the composite plug comprising: 
 a wedge portion comprised of polymer-based materials, wherein the wedge portion is structured to be seated within the aperture defined between the first and second surfaces of the composite fence panel; and    a threaded member comprised of polymer-based materials, wherein the threaded member is structured to extend from the wedge portion, through the aperture, a protruding distance beyond the second surface of the composite fence panel when the wedge portion of the composite plug is seated within the aperture of the composite fence panel.    
   
   
       8 . The composite plug of  claim 7 , wherein the wedge portion and the threaded member of the composite plug are integrally formed.  
   
   
       9 . The composite plug of  claim 7 , wherein the wedge portion and the threaded member of the composite plug are separately formed and adhered together.  
   
   
       10 . The composite plug of  claim 7 , further comprising a composite bolt having a composite bolt head and a composite bolt body, wherein the wedge portion of the composite plug defines a bore structured to receive the composite bolt, and wherein the threaded member is a protruding portion of the composite bolt body that extends from the wedge portion after the composite bolt has been seated into the bore defined by the wedge portion.  
   
   
       11 . The composite plug of  claim 8 , wherein the wedge portion of the composite plug further defines a pocket proximate the bore for receiving the composite bolt head when the composite bolt has been seated into the bore.  
   
   
       12 . The composite plug of  claim 10 , wherein the wedge portion of the composite plug further defines a pocket forming a locking surface proximate the bore, wherein the composite bolt head defines an engagement surface that is structured to engage the locking surface of the pocket, and wherein the engagement surface engages the locking surface to prevent rotation of the composite bolt when the composite bolt has been seated into the bore.  
   
   
       13 . A composite plug-support member assembly for a fence system, comprising: 
 a composite fence panel comprised of polymer-based materials, the composite fence panel including a first surface, a second surface, and at least one aperture defined between the first and second surfaces;    a composite plug comprising a wedge portion and a threaded member extending from the wedge portion, wherein the wedge portion and the threaded member are comprised of polymer-based materials, wherein the wedge portion is structured to be seated within the at least one aperture defined between the first and second surfaces of the composite fence panel, and wherein the threaded member includes a protruding portion extending at least partially beyond the second surface of the composite fence panel when the wedge portion of the composite plug has been seated within the at least one aperture of the composite fence panel;    a support member defining a bore, wherein the support member is structured for positioning adjacent the second surface of the composite panel such that the protruding portion of the threaded member may be received through the bore of the support member when the wedge portion of the composite plug has been received within the at least one aperture of the composite fence panel; and    a composite nut structured to rotatably engage the protruding portion of the threaded member and thereby compress the second surface of the composite fence panel against the support member.    
   
   
       14 . The composite plug-support member assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the support member is comprised of a fiber reinforced polymer.  
   
   
       15 . The composite plug-support member assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the support member is a substantially planar stiffening plate.  
   
   
       16 . The composite plug-support member assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the support member is a composite P-clamp structured for coupling the composite fence panel to a composite support post.  
   
   
       17 . The composite plug-support member assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the support member is a composite C-clamp structured for coupling the composite fence panel to a composite support post.  
   
   
       18 . The composite plug-support member assembly of  claim 17 , further comprising a substantially planar stiffening plate disposed at least partially between the second surface of the composite fence panel and the composite C-clamp.  
   
   
       19 . The composite plug-support member assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the support member is a composite ring clamp structured for coupling the composite fence panel to a composite support post.  
   
   
       20 . The composite plug-support member assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the support member is a composite support post structured to define an I-shaped cross-section.  
   
   
       21 . The composite plug-support member assembly of  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 a second composite fence panel comprised of polymer-based materials;    wherein the support member is a composite support post and the second composite fence panel is coupled to the composite support post by an adjustable composite bracket.    
   
   
       22 . The composite plug-support member assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the adjustable composite bracket is adapted to place the second composite fence panel in a desired joint orientation relative to the first composite fence panel.  
   
   
       23 . A composite fence system, comprising: 
 a composite fence panel comprised of polymer-based materials, the composite fence panel including a first surface, a second surface, a perimeter edge surface, and at least one aperture defined between the first and second surfaces;    a composite support post comprised of polymer-based materials, the composite support post defining a bore; and    a composite edge bracket comprising a retaining member, a coupling member defining a bore, and a support surface,    wherein the composite fence panel is coupled to the composite support post by seating the perimeter edge of the composite fence panel against the support surface of the composite edge bracket such that the retaining member of the composite edge bracket is disposed proximate the first surface of the composite fence panel and the second surface of the composite fence panel is disposed adjacent the composite support post, positioning the composite support post adjacent the coupling member of the composite edge bracket such that the bore defined in the composite support post is alignable with the bore defined in the coupling member, and threading a composite fastener through the bore defined in the composite support post and the bore defined in the coupling member of the composite edge bracket to couple the composite edge bracket to the composite support post.    
   
   
       24 . The composite fence system of  claim 23 , wherein the composite edge bracket defines a substantially s-shaped cross-section.  
   
   
       25 . A composite fence system, comprising: 
 a composite fence panel comprised of polymer-based materials, the composite fence panel including a first surface, a second surface, and at least one aperture defined between the first and second surfaces;    a composite support post comprised of polymer-based materials, the composite support post defining a perimeter surface; and    a composite bracket assembly comprising, 
 a first portion having opposed ends and first and second bores defined proximate the opposed ends, and  
 a second portion having opposed ends and first and second bores defined proximate the opposed ends, wherein at least one of the first and second portions of the composite bracket assembly define a substantially concave portion adapted to at least partially receive the perimeter surface of the composite support post;  
 wherein the first and second bores of the first portion of the composite bracket assembly are alignable with the first and second bores of the second portion of the composite bracket assembly for receiving a composite fastener, wherein at least one of the first and second portions of the composite bracket assembly define a wedge portion proximate at least one of the first and second bores, and wherein the wedge portion is structured for slidable seating within the at least one aperture of the composite fence panel.  
   
   
   
       26 . A composite fence system, comprising: 
 a composite fence panel comprised of polymer-based materials;    a composite support post comprised of polymer-based materials, wherein the composite fence panel is coupled to the composite support post by one or more composite fasteners;    an anti-climb fence panel comprised of polymer-based materials;    an angled bracket comprised of polymer-based materials, wherein the angled bracket is adapted to securely couple the anti-climb fence panel to the composite support post in an anti-climb assembly position, and wherein an anti-climb angle is defined between the anti-climb fence panel and the composite fence panel in the anti-climb assembly position.    
   
   
       27 . The composite fence system of  claim 26 , wherein the composite support post defines one or more bores and the angled bracket defines one or more bores that are alignable with the one or more bores of the composite support post, and wherein the angled bracket is securely coupled to the composite support post by threading one or more composite fasteners through the one or more bores of the angled bracket and the one or more bores of the composite support post.  
   
   
       28 . The composite fence system of  claim 26 , wherein the anti-climb angle is between 0 and 180 degrees.  
   
   
       29 . The composite fence system of  claim 26 , wherein the anti-climb angle is between 30 and 170 degrees.  
   
   
       30 . The composite fence system of  claim 26 , wherein the anti-climb angle is between 90 and 140 degrees.  
   
   
       31 . The composite fence system of  claim 26 , wherein the anti-climb angle is approximately 135 degrees.  
   
   
       32 . The composite fence system of  claim 26 , further comprising: 
 a composite plug comprised of polymer materials, the composite plug including a wedge portion, a threaded member extending from the wedge portion, and a composite nut structured to rotatably engage the threaded member thereby tightening the composite nut over the threaded member,    wherein the anti-climb fence panel includes a first surface, a second surface, and at least one aperture defined between the first and second surfaces, wherein the angled bracket defines a bore, and    wherein the anti-climb fence panel is coupled to the angled bracket by seating the wedge portion of the composite plug into the at least one aperture of the anti-climb fence panel, positioning the angled bracket adjacent the anti-climb fence panel such that the threaded member of the composite plug extends through the bore defined in the angled bracket, and tightening the composite nut over the threaded member of the composite plug.    
   
   
       33 . A composite fence system, comprising: 
 a composite fence panel comprised of polymer-based materials;    a composite support post comprised of polymer-based materials;    a composite hinge system adapted to pivotally couple the composite fence panel to the composite support post, the composite hinge system comprising: 
 a composite hinge bracket adapted to support a cylindrical pivot member, and  
 a cylindrical sleeve portion adapted to at least partially enclose the cylindrical pivot member such that the cylindrical sleeve portion is rotatable about the cylindrical pivot member.  
   
   
   
       34 . The composite fence system of  claim 33 , wherein the composite hinge bracket is coupled to the composite support post via one or more composite fasteners.  
   
   
       35 . The composite fence system of  claim 33 , wherein the cylindrical sleeve portion is coupled to the composite fence panel and the composite hinge bracket is coupled to the composite support post via one or more composite fasteners.  
   
   
       36 . The composite fence system of  claim 33 , wherein the composite hinge bracket is coupled to the composite fence panel via one or more composite fasteners.  
   
   
       37 . The composite fence system of  claim 33 , wherein the cylindrical sleeve portion is coupled to the composite support post and the composite hinge bracket is coupled to the composite fence panel via one or more composite fasteners.  
   
   
       38 . A method for manufacturing a composite fence system, the method comprising the steps of: 
 forming a composite fence panel comprised of polymer-based materials, the composite fence panel having a grid structure defining a plurality of apertures;    forming a composite support member comprised of polymer-based materials, the composite support member defining a bore; and    forming a composite plug comprised of polymer materials, the composite plug having a wedge portion and a threaded member extending from the wedge portion;    wherein the wedge portion of the composite plug in structured to be seated within at least one of the plurality of apertures of the composite fence panel, and wherein the composite support member is structured for positioning adjacent the composite fence panel when the composite plug is seated therein such that the threaded member of the composite plug extends through the bore defined in the composite support member.    
   
   
       39 . A method for assembling a composite fence system, the method comprising the steps of: 
 seating a wedge portion of a composite plug into one of a plurality of apertures defined in a composite fence panel, wherein the composite plug and composite fence panel are each comprised of polymer-based materials, and the composite plug includes a threaded member extending from the wedge portion through the one of the plurality of apertures;    positioning a composite support member adjacent the composite fence panel such that the threaded member of the composite plug extends through a bore defined in the composite support member, wherein the composite support member is comprised of polymer materials; and    tightening a composite nut comprised of polymer materials over the threaded member of the composite plug.    
   
   
       40 . A composite post adapted for use in a composite fence system, the composite post comprising: 
 a first structural member defining a first width;    a third structural member defining a second width that is substantially smaller than the first width;    a second transversely aligned structural member that is adapted to rigidly couple the first and third structural members in a substantially parallel orientation;    wherein the first structural member defines a bore that is structured to receive a composite fastener.