Methods and apparatus for fencing and other outdoor structures

Abstract

A fence system including a fence member and a fence rail having a first surface with a first slot and a second surface above the first surface and having a second slot aligned with the first slot. The fence member is inserted through the first slot and the second slot.

1 - 26 . (canceled) 
   
   
       27 . A fence system comprising:
 a first fence rail;   a second fence rail spaced from the first fence rail and for supporting a portion of the fence system; and   a fence member attached to the first fence rail and the second fence rail, wherein the fence member comprises a solar panel for collecting solar energy and generating electricity from the collected solar energy.   
   
   
       28 . The fence system of  claim 27 , further comprising means for distributing the electricity away from the solar panel. 
   
   
       29 . The fence system of  claim 28 , wherein the means for distributing comprises a wire connected to the solar panel and extending through a hole in the fence member. 
   
   
       30 . The fence system of  claim 27 , wherein the fence member is rotatable. 
   
   
       31 . The fence system of  claim 27 , further comprising a support structure for supporting the fence member on the first and second fence rails to allow the fence member to be adjusted to a plurality of selected positions; the support structure including a pivot member at one end of the fence member rotatably connecting the fence member to the first fence rail; a locking element at the other end of the fence member to releasably lock the fence member in a selected position with respect to the first and second fence rails. 
   
   
       32 . A fence system in accordance with  claim 31 , wherein the pivot member provided on the support structure includes a threaded portion and the support structure includes a locking nut threadably engaged with the pivot member and arranged to engage with the fence rail and releasably lock the fence member in a selected position. 
   
   
       33 . A fence system in accordance with  claim 32 , further comprising a wire connected to the solar panel, wherein the wire passes through an aperture of the pivot member. 
   
   
       34 . A fence system comprising:
 a fence rail for supporting a portion of the fence system:   a fence member supported by the fence rail;   a gripping element included on the fence member; and   a fence panel adapted to be removably retained on the fence member by the gripping element, wherein the panel comprises a solar panel for collecting solar energy and generating electricity from the collected solar energy.   
   
   
       35 . A fence system in accordance with  claim 34 , wherein the gripping element comprises a groove provided at adjacent lateral edges of the fence member and adapted to receive and grip the fence panel. 
   
   
       36 . A fence system in accordance with  claim 35 , wherein the groove extends along substantially a length of the fence member. 
   
   
       37 . A fence system in accordance with  claim 35 , wherein the fence member is formed of an extruded plastic material and the groove is extruded in the fence member. 
   
   
       38 . In a fence system adapted to receive elongate objects such as electrical or fluid conduits, comprising:
 an elongate fence rail for supporting a fencing member,   the fence rail being formed with a hollow body portion defining an elongate pathway extending the length of the rail;   a movable closing member adapted to provide access to the elongate pathway for placement of an elongate object within the fence rail, and further adapted to close the pathway; and a detent on the closing member engagable with the body portion to releasably close the pathway and thereby retain the object within the fence rail, wherein the fence member includes a solar panel that collects solar energy and generates electricity from the collected solar energy and is connected to the fence rail so that the pathway defined in the rail is in communication with the fence member so that conduits in the fence rail can communicate with the solar panel.   
   
   
       39 . A fence system in accordance with  claim 38 , wherein the fence rail is formed from a plastic material. 
   
   
       40 . A fence system in accordance with  claim 38 , wherein the rail includes a further elongate opening extending along the rail adapted to receive fastening elements for joining objects to the rail. 
   
   
       41 . A fence system in accordance with  claim 40 , wherein the fence rail includes first and second elongate pathways and wherein the closing member provides access to the first pathway and the further elongate opening in the rail provides access to the second pathway. 
   
   
       42 . A fence system comprising;
 a fence member comprising a solar panel for collecting solar energy and generating electricity from the collected solar energy;   a fence rail comprising:
 a first surface having a first slot; 
 a second surface above the first surface and having a second slot aligned with the first slot, wherein the fence member is inserted through the first slot and the second slot; 
   a pair of side walls and a third surface, wherein the first surface, the pair of side walls and the second surface define a first compartment and the second surface, the pair of side walls and the third surface define a second compartment; and   wherein the third surface is movable from an open position to a closed position and is pivotably moved about a hinge integrally attached to one of the pair of side walls.   
   
   
       43 . The fence system of  claim 42 , wherein the third surface comprises a first latch that removably engages a latch formed in another of the pair of side walls. 
   
   
       44 . The fence system of  claim 42 , wherein the fence member further comprises:
 a gripping element that engages the solar panel so that solar panel is removably retained on the fence member by the gripping element.   
   
   
       45 . The fence system of  claim 44 , wherein the gripping element comprises a groove provided adjacent lateral edges of the fence member and adapted to receive and grip the fence panel. 
   
   
       46 . The fence system of  claim 45 , wherein the groove extends along substantially a length of the fence member. 
   
   
       47 . A rail comprising:
 a plurality of surfaces that define a polygonal surface comprising a first surface and a second surface;   a gripping element included on the first surface; and   a panel adapted to be removably retained on the rail by the gripping element, wherein the panel comprises a solar panel for collecting solar energy and generating electricity from the collected solar energy.   
   
   
       48 . The rail of  claim 47 , further comprising:
 a second gripping element included on the second surface; and   a second panel adapted to be removably retained on the rail by the second gripping element, wherein the second panel comprises a second solar panel.   
   
   
       49 . The rail of  claim 47 , wherein the polygonal surface has a triangular cross-section. 
   
   
       50 . The rail of  claim 48 , wherein the polygonal surface has a triangular cross-section. 
   
   
       51 . The rail of  claim 47 , wherein the gripping element comprises a groove provided at adjacent lateral edges of the first surface and adapted to receive and grip the panel. 
   
   
       52 . The rail of  claim 51 , wherein the groove extends along substantially a length of the fence member.