Modular stackable fence apparatus

Abstract

A unitary stackable fence module having end assemblies and span members is provided for forming a perimeter fence having an inwardly inclined profile. A right angle end support has vertical and horizontal members and an angle arm, spaced from and attached to a side edge of the vertical and horizontal members adjacent the span members. The unique arrangement permits a plurality of fence modules to be stacked for transport or storage. Loops formed on the vertical members permit pivotal pinning of fence modules together to form perimeter fences of any polygonal shape.

1 . A unitary, stackable fence module comprising: 
 two end supports, each end support having, 
 a substantially vertical member connected at a lower end to a first end of a horizontal member, the vertical member and the horizontal member being in the same plane; and  
 an angle arm extending between an upper end of the substantially vertical member and a second end of the horizontal member;  
   a plurality of span members connected between the angle arms of the two end supports and spacing apart the two end supports in substantially parallel arrangement for forming an inside space therebetween, the span members being substantially perpendicular to the plane of the vertical member and the horizontal member, the angle arm of each of the end supports being connected at a side of the vertical member adjacent the inside space and at a side of the horizontal member adjacent the inside space so as to extend the inside space between the vertical member and the horizontal member of the two end supports, the inside space being open to permit the span members and angle arms of a similar fence module to fit therein for stacking in nested arrangement; and    connectors at each of the two end supports to permit pivotal attachment to an end support of a similar fence module.    
   
   
       2 . The unitary, stackable fence module of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a first spacer positioned between the angle arm and the vertical member; and    a second spacer positioned between the angle arm and the horizontal member,    the spacers acting to further extend the inside space between the end supports of the fence module.    
   
   
       3 . The unitary, stackable fence module of  claim 1  wherein the connectors comprise: 
 loops arranged along the vertical member so as to permit vertical alignment of the loops between similar fence modules; and    a pin for passage through the loops.    
   
   
       4 . The unitary, stackable fence module of  claim 3  wherein the pin is of sufficient length to engage a ground at the lower ends of the vertical members.  
   
   
       5 . The unitary, stackable fence module of  claim 1  wherein the end supports and the span members are formed of tubular steel.  
   
   
       6 . The unitary, stackable fence module of  claim 1  further comprising a man door formed intermediate the span members for permitting access therethrough.  
   
   
       7 . A method for stacking fence modules comprising: 
 providing a plurality of similar fence modules each fence module comprising:    two end supports, each end support having, 
 a substantially vertical member connected at a lower end to a first end of a horizontal member, the vertical member and the horizontal member being in the same plane; and  
 an angle arm extending between an upper end of the substantially vertical member and a second end of the horizontal member wherein the horizontal member of each end support is adapted for supporting the fence module on a surface;  
   a plurality of span members connected between the angle arms of the two end supports and spacing apart the two end supports in substantially parallel arrangement for forming an inside space therebetween, the span members being substantially perpendicular to the plane of the vertical member and the horizontal member, the angle arm of each of the end supports being connected at a side of the vertical member adjacent the inside space and at a side of the horizontal member adjacent the inside space so as to extend the inside space between the vertical member and the horizontal member of the two end supports, the inside space being open to permit the span members and angle arms of a similar fence module to fit therein for stacking in nested arrangement;    reorienting a first of the plurality of similar fence modules for supporting the first fence module on the plurality of span members on a surface; and    inserting the span members and angle arms of a second fence module of the plurality of fence modules into the inside space between the end supports of the first fence module, the first and second fence modules being stacked in nested arrangement.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein when stacked in nested arrangement, the angle arms and the span members of the second fence module rest substantially on the angle arms and span members of the first fence module.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein when stacked in nested arrangement, the vertical member and the horizontal member of the second fence module rest substantially on the vertical member and the horizontal member of the first fence module.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising: 
 repeating the inserting with subsequent of the plurality of similar fence modules for stacking the plurality of similar fence modules in nested arrangement.