Flexible fence assembly

Abstract

A fence assembly is made up of a plurality of fence sections. Each section is made up of panels with top, bottom and side edges and front and rear surfaces. Slots are spaced from and milled into the panels along one of the sets of edges. A pair of trim extends over and covers the set edges and each trim has projections that snap or slide into the front and rear slots. Alternatively the edges of the panel may be beaded and slid over the slotted side of the trim. The fence sections are coupled pivotably to fence posts such that the panels may pivot, under force of wind, about either their top or bottom end. The panels are restored to generally vertical position by the force of gravity. A counterweight within the fence post linked to the panels can be used to restore panels to their vertical position. In an alternate embodiment, the brackets coupling the panels to the fence posts may slide along the fence posts and the panels bow in response to high winds. The fence panels may include resilient strips along their vertical edges.

1 . A fence assembly having fence panels that may pivot under the force of wind, thus allowing wind flow through the fence, comprising: 
 at least a fence panel generally in vertical position and having an upper end and a lower end;    at least a vertical fence post;    means coupling the panel to the posts;    means allowing the panel to pivot about at least one end of the panel in response to wind; and,    gravity means for restoring the panel to its vertical position.    
   
   
       2 . The fence assembly of  claim 1  wherein the fence is pivotable about its lower end.  
   
   
       3 . The fence assembly of  claim 1  wherein the gravity means is a counterweight linked to the panel and suspended within the fence post.  
   
   
       4 . The fence assembly of  claim 1  wherein the fence is pivotable about its upper end.  
   
   
       5 . The fence assembly of  claim 1  including means for locking the panels in position.  
   
   
       6 . The fence assembly of  claim 1  wherein the panel comprises a plurality of joined-together sheets.  
   
   
       7 . The fence section of  claim 1  wherein the panel comprises a corrugated or accordian-shaped panel.  
   
   
       8 . The fence assembly of  claim 1  including 
 at least a trim disposed along an end and having open ends therein and a body portion extending over and covering the panel end and secured to the panel, and,    a pin extending from the fence post into the trim opening, thereby permitting panel pivoting action.    
   
   
       9 . The fence assembly of claim  8 wherein the trim is an extruded, flexible plastic member.  
   
   
       10 . The fence assembly of  claim 8  wherein the trim is a metallic member.  
   
   
       11 . A fence assembly having fence panels that may bow under the force of wind, thus allowing wind flow over or under the fence assembly, comprising: 
 at least a flexible fence panel generally in vertical position and having edges and an upper end and a lower end;    vertical fence posts;    brackets coupling the upper end and the lower end of the panel along its edges to the post; and,    means allowing the brackets to slide along the fence post at at least one end of the panel in response to wind.    
   
   
       12 . The fence assembly of  claim 11  wherein the lower end bracket is slidable along the fence post.  
   
   
       14 . The fence assembly of  claim 11  wherein the upper end bracket is slidable along the fence post.  
   
   
       15 . The fence assembly of  claim 11  wherein the flexible panel comprises a plurality of joined-together sheets.  
   
   
       16 . The fence assembly of  claim 11  wherein the fence panel includes resilient strips along its edges:  
   
   
       17 . The fence assembly of  claim 11  including gravity means for restoring the panel to its vertical position.  
   
   
       18 . The fence assembly of  claim 17  wherein the gravity means is a counterweight linked to the panel and suspended within a fence post.