Modular fence

Abstract

A modular fence is disclosed comprising a plurality of vertically extending fence boards each of which is provided with spaced apart exterior surfaces, a top edge, a bottom edge and coextensive side edges. Grooves are formed in the side edges and are defined by a pair of spaced apart parallel projections, one of which is adapted to be received in the groove of an adjacent fence board.

1 . A modular fence comprising: 
 at least one extending rail having a groove formed therein; and    a plurality of fence boards, each of the fence boards having a first extended surface and a spaced apart second extended surface, the first and second extended surfaces defined by a first edge, a second edge, and coextensive spaced apart side edges, the side edges configured to engage with a side edge of an adjacent fence board, at least the first edge of the fence board being received by and maintained within the channel formed in the extending rail to provide a rigid fence assembly wherein the side edges and the extended surfaces of adjacent fence boards cooperate to present a spaced apart offset shadow line effect over the fence assembly.    
   
   
       2 . A modular fence according to  claim 1  wherein the rail extends horizontally.  
   
   
       3 . A modular fence according to  claim 1  wherein the configuration of the side edges of the fence boards are configured to include a groove.  
   
   
       4 . A modular fence according to  claim 3  wherein the groove extends along each of the side edges of the fence board.  
   
   
       5 . A modular fence according to  claim 4  wherein the groove is defined by a pair of spaced apart parallel and coextensive projections.  
   
   
       6 . A modular fence according to  claim 4  wherein the groove is defined by a pair of cooperating spaced apart projections.  
   
   
       7 . A modular fence according to  claim 6  wherein the projections include cooperating facing surfaces.  
   
   
       8 . A modular fence according to  claim 7  wherein the facing surfaces include inwardly extending detents.  
   
   
       9 . A modular fence according to  claim 5  wherein at least one of the facing surfaces is resilient.  
   
   
       10 . A modular fence according to  claim 9  wherein the spacing between the facing surfaces of the projections of the groove is at least equal to the thickness of the projections.  
   
   
       11 . A modular fence according to  claim 5  wherein the projections have a chamfered outer surface configuration.  
   
   
       12 . A modular fence according to  claim 1  wherein at least one of the extended surfaces is provided with a groove.  
   
   
       13 . A modular fence according to  claim 12  wherein the groove is coextensive with the extended surface.  
   
   
       14 . A modular fence according to  claim 1  wherein at least one of the extended surfaces is provided with a stepped configuration.  
   
   
       15 . A modular fence according to  claim 1  wherein the fence boards are formed of sheet material.  
   
   
       16 . A modular fence according to  claim 15  wherein the sheet material is plastic.  
   
   
       17 . A modular fence according to  claim 16  wherein the plastic is selected from a group of polymerized thermoplastic vinyls including polyvinyl chloride.  
   
   
       18 . A modular fence comprising: 
 a rail having a channel formed therein; and    a plurality of fence boards, each of the boards having spaced apart exterior surfaces, a top edge, a bottom edge, and coextensive side edges, grooves formed in the side edges, the grooves being defined by a pair of spaced apart parallel and coextensive projections, the side edges of each of the fence boards being coupled to the side edges of an adjacent fence board by the insertion of one of the projections of one board inserted into the groove of the adjacent fence board and having the top and bottom edges of the fence board being maintained within the channel of the horizontal rail.    
   
   
       19 . In a modular fence including at least one horizontally extending rail member for supporting at least a pair of interconnected fence boards and at least a pair of interconnected fence boards wherein the improvement comprises: 
 a fence board having opposed edges formed with elongate openings defined by spaced apart coextensive projections adapted to be selectively received by an elongate opening of an adjacent board.    
   
   
       20 . The fence board according to  claim 19  wherein said spaced apart coextensive projections include at least one detent.  
   
   
       21 . A fence board according to  claim 19  wherein said spaced apart coextensive projections include at least one detent which protrudes outwardly from each coextensive projection toward a second coextensive projection.  
   
   
       22 . A modular fence comprising a plurality of substantially identical fence boards, said fence boards include opposed edges, having elongate openings therein, said openings defined by spaced apart coextensive projections adapted to be selectively received by an elongate opening of an adjacent board, and said boards are interlocked by the insertion of one of the coextensive projections into the opening of the adjacent board.  
   
   
       23 . A modular fence according to  claim 22  wherein said spaced apart coextensive projections includes at least one detent.  
   
   
       24 . A modular fence according to  claim 22  wherein each of said spaced apart coextensive projections includes at least one detent, said detent protrudes outwardly from each projection toward an adjacent projection.