Customizable fencing system and method

Abstract

Disclosed is a system and method for a decorative, easy to install privacy fencing system and method therefor. A customizable fencing and privacy enclosure system is provided comprising vertical clamp members and a preferably decorative fabric sheet providing at least some level of ventilation therethrough, such system being configured for attachment to existing fence posts or newly installed fence posts. Such system is comprised of a small number of simplistic components that allow a do-it-yourself homeowner (or other person not particularly advanced as a skilled craftsman) to easily install, customize, and adjust the system to fit the homeowner's particular needs and aesthetic desires.

1 . A customizable fencing system comprising:
 a first vertical clamp member configured for attachment to a first existing fence post, said first vertical clamp member having an interior face, an exterior face, a front face, a back face, a top end, a bottom end, and a plurality of holes extending through said first vertical clamp member from said interior face to said exterior face;   a second vertical clamp member identical in construction to said first vertical clamp member and configured for attachment to a second existing fence post, said second vertical clamp member being positioned with respect to said first vertical clamp member so that said interior face of said first vertical clamp member faces an interior face of said second vertical clamp member;   a flexible fabric sheet extending over said front face and said exterior face of each of said first and second vertical clamp members and extending beyond an intersection of said rear face and said exterior face of at least one of said first and second vertical clamp members, and having a height dimension that is less than a height dimension of each of said first and second vertical clamp members; and   a semi-permanent connector extending through each said vertical clamp member from said interior face to said exterior face and through said flexible fabric sheet, said semi-permanent connectors being configured to anchor each said vertical clamp member to a fence post with the full said height dimension of said flexible fabric sheet clamped between said exterior face of each said vertical clamp member and an adjacent fence post.   
     
     
         2 . The customizable fencing system of  claim 1 , wherein said height dimension of said flexible fabric sheet is less than a distance between a top-most hole in each of said vertical clamp members and a bottom-most hole in each of said vertical clamp members. 
     
     
         3 . The customizable fencing system of  claim 1 , wherein said flexible fabric sheet further comprises a decorative pattern on at least one side of said flexible fabric sheet. 
     
     
         4 . The customizable fencing system of  claim 1 , further comprising an upper cross member extending between said first vertical clamp member and said second vertical clamp member. 
     
     
         5 . The customizable fencing system of  claim 4 , wherein a top edge of said fabric sheet is aligned with a top edge of said upper cross member. 
     
     
         6 . The customizable fencing system of  claim 5 , further comprising a lower cross member extending between said first vertical clamp member and said second vertical clamp member and vertically below said upper cross member. 
     
     
         7 . The customizable fencing system of  claim 6 , wherein a bottom edge of said fabric sheet is aligned with a lower edge of said lower cross member. 
     
     
         8 . The customizable fencing system of  claim 1 , wherein said flexible fabric sheet extends beyond intersection of said rear face and said exterior face of both of said first and second vertical clamp members. 
     
     
         9 . The customizable fencing system of  claim 8 , wherein said flexible fabric sheet extends beyond said intersections by at least 2 inches. 
     
     
         10 . The customizable fencing system of  claim 1 , wherein said fabric sheet comprises a mesh fabric. 
     
     
         11 . The customizable fencing system of  claim 1 , wherein said fabric sheet comprises a breathable material allowing air to pass therethrough. 
     
     
         12 . The customizable fencing system of  claim 1 , wherein each of said vertical clamp members comprises a hollow tube, said system further comprising a nylon end cap positioned with each of said top end and said bottom end of each said vertical clamp member. 
     
     
         13 . The customizable fencing system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first fence post, wherein said first vertical clamp member is attached to said first fence post with said fabric sheet clamped between said first fence post and said first vertical clamp member; and   a second fence post, wherein said second vertical clamp member is attached to said second fence post with said fabric sheet clamped between said second fence post and said second vertical clamp member.   
     
     
         14 . A method for installing a customizable fencing system, comprising:
 providing a first vertical clamp member configured for attachment to a fence post, said first vertical clamp member having an interior face, an exterior face, a front face, a back face, a top end, a bottom end, and a plurality of holes extending through said first vertical clamp member from said interior face to said exterior face;   providing a second vertical clamp member identical in construction to said first vertical clamp member and configured for attachment to a fence post;   providing a plurality of semi-permanent connectors configured to anchor each said first and second vertical clamp member to a fence post;   attaching said first vertical clamp member to a first fence post with one of said semi-permanent connectors through a top-most one of said holes, and another of said semi-permanent connectors through a bottom-most one of said holes in said first vertical clamp member;   providing a flexible fabric sheet having a height dimension that is less than a height dimension of each of said first and second vertical clamp members;   extending a first end of said flexible fabric sheet over said front face and said exterior face of said first vertical clamp member so that the full said height dimension of said flexible fabric sheet is positioned between said top-most hole and said bottom-most hole in said first vertical clamp member;   installing a semi-permanent connector in said holes between said top-most hole and said bottom-most hole and extending through said first vertical clamp member and said fabric sheet and into said first fence post so as to clamp said fabric sheet between said first vertical clamp member and said first fence post;   attaching said second vertical clamp member to a second fence post with one of said semi-permanent connectors through a top-most one of said holes in said second vertical clamp member, and another of said semi-permanent connectors through a bottom-most one of said holes in said second vertical clamp member, with said second vertical clamp member positioned with respect to said first vertical clamp member so that said interior faces of said first and second vertical clamp members face each other;   extending a second end of said flexible sheet over said front face and said exterior face of said second vertical clamp member so that the full said height dimension of said flexible fabric sheet is positioned between said top-most hole and said bottom-most hole in said second vertical clamp member; and   pulling said second end of said flexible sheet so that said flexible sheet is taught, with said second end of said flexible sheet extending beyond an intersection of said rear face and said exterior face of said second vertical clamp member, and installing a semi-permanent connector in each of said holes between said top-most hole and said bottom-most hole in said second vertical clamp member and extending through said second vertical clamp member and said fabric sheet and into said second fence post so as to clamp said fabric sheet between said first vertical clamp member and said first fence post.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of aligning a top edge of said fabric sheet with an intended position of a top face of cross member to be installed between said first and second vertical clamp members. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of placing a cross member between said vertical clamp members so that a top face of said cross member is aligned with a top edge of said fabric sheet. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of trimming side portions of said fabric sheet that extend beyond a rear face of either of said first or second vertical clamp members following a period of time sufficient to allow acclimation of said customizable fencing system to an environment in which it is installed. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of removing said fabric sheet and thereafter re-installing said fabric sheet according to the steps of  claim 14 .