Interlocking panels

Abstract

Interlocking panels include a frame configured as a perimeter of a panel, the frame including at least one engageable frame portion. The panel defines at least one side opening disposed adjacent the engageable frame portion(s) so that one panel may be attached to another panel by at least one connection means passing through the side opening(s) to capture the engageable frame portion(s).

1 . A panel, herein referred to as a first panel, said panel comprising: 
 a frame configured as a perimeter of said first panel, said frame comprising at least one engageable frame portion;    said first panel defining at least one side opening in said first panel, said at least one side opening disposed adjacent said at least one engageable frame portion; and    whereby said first panel may be attached to a second panel by at least one connection means passing through said at least one side opening to capture said at least one engageable frame portion.    
   
   
       2 . A first panel according to  claim 1  wherein said frame of said first panel includes at least a ridge portion or a groove portion for mating with a groove portion or ridge portion, respectively, of a frame of said second panel.  
   
   
       3 . A first panel according to  claim 1  wherein at least one of said ridge portions of said first panel includes at least two ridges oriented at 90 degrees relatively to each other for mating in either of two orthogonal orientations with a groove portion of said second panel.  
   
   
       4 . A panel according to  claim 1  wherein said panel comprises a web portion disposed within said frame, said web portion comprising intersecting web elements defining web openings therebetween.  
   
   
       5 . A panel according to  claim 4  wherein said frame is rectangular.  
   
   
       6 . A panel according to  claim 5  wherein said web elements run obliquely relatively to said frame.  
   
   
       7 . A panel according to  claim 5  wherein said frame is square.  
   
   
       8 . A panel according to  claim 4  further comprising stakes for engaging said panel with the ground whereby said panel stands upright, said panel further comprising a solid sheet portion for blocking crawling creatures.  
   
   
       9 . A panel according to  claim 8  further comprising a deflector for deflecting crawling creatures, said deflector disposed along an upper edge of said solid sheet portion when said panel stands upright.  
   
   
       10 . A connectable pair of panels, said connectable pair of panels comprising: 
 a first panel wherein said first panel includes:    a frame configured as a perimeter of said first panel, said frame comprising at least one engageable frame portion;    at least one side opening in said first panel, said at least one side opening disposed adjacent said at least one engageable frame portion of said first panel;    a second panel; and    a connection means configured to pass through said opening in said first panel to capture said engageable frame portion of said first panel and hold said first panel firmly against said second panel.    
   
   
       11 . A connectable pair of panels according to  claim 10  wherein said connection means is attached to said second panel.  
   
   
       12 . A connectable pair of panels according to  claim 11  wherein said second panel includes a frame, said connection means being attached to said frame of said second panel.  
   
   
       13 . A connectable pair of panels according to  claim 12  wherein a first snap portion is disposed on said connection means and a second snap portion is disposed on said frame of said second panel whereby said connection means may be passed through said side opening in said first panel and attached to said second snap portion on said frame of said second panel.  
   
   
       14 . A connectable pair of panels according to  claim 13  wherein said second panel includes both said connection means, here referred to as a first connection means, and further includes a second connection means disposed on a second edge of said frame of said second panel, said second connection means for engagement with a third panel.  
   
   
       15 . A connectable pair of panels according to  claim 10  wherein said second panel includes a frame configured as a perimeter of said second panel, said frame comprising at least one engageable frame portion; 
 at least one side opening in said second panel, said at least one side opening disposed adjacent said at least one engageable frame portion of said second panel; and    said connection means configured to pass through both said side opening in said second panel and said side opening in said first panel to capture both said engageable frame portion of said second panel and said engageable frame portion of said first panel.    
   
   
       16 . A connectable pair of panels according to  claim 15  wherein said connection means includes a first snap portion and a second snap portion remote from said first snap portion whereby said connection means may be passed through said side opening in said first panel and through said side opening in said second panel, whereby said first snap portion may be attached to said second snap portion.  
   
   
       17 . A panel, herein referred to as a first panel, said panel comprising: 
 a frame configured as a perimeter of said first panel, said frame comprising at least three engageable frame portions;    said panel defining a side opening disposed adjacent each of said at least three engageable frame portions;    a ridge portion of said frame disposed on a first side of said engageable frame portion and a groove portion of said frame disposed on a second side of said engageable frame portion whereby a second panel identical to said first panel may be attached to said first panel, a groove portion of said frame of said second panel mating with one of said ridge portions of said frame of said first panel and a ridge portion of said frame of said second panel mating with one of said groove portions of said frame of said first panel;    whereby said second panel may be tightly attached to said first panel by a connection means passing through said at least one side opening in said first panel and a like side opening in said second panel.    
   
   
       18 . A panel according to  claim 17  wherein said at least three engageable frame portions of said frame is four engageable frame portions and said panel is square.  
   
   
       19 . A panel according to  claim 18  further comprising a web portion disposed within said frame, said web portion comprising intersecting web elements defining web openings therebetween.  
   
   
       20 . A panel according to  claim 19  wherein said web elements are disposed obliquely relatively to said frame.