Lightweight concrete or masonry fence system without concrete footings

Abstract

Column and panel concrete fence systems and related methods of construction. Such a method may include placing (e.g., pounding or otherwise driving) a plurality of posts into the ground, attaching a bracket to each post. The concrete column may be provided in two initially separate portions e.g., each corresponding to a “front” or “back” face of the fence. One of the portions (e.g., corresponding to the front or back of the fence) is attached to a given post. The concrete panel may then be advanced into place, and the other of the front or back portions of the column may then be attached to the post, over the first column portion that was already attached to the post.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for constructing a column and panel concrete fence, the method comprising:
 placing a plurality of posts in the ground;   attaching a bracket to each post;   attaching a first portion of a concrete column to each post;   placing a concrete panel on the brackets of adjacent posts such that a first end of the panel is supported on the bracket of one post and a second end of the panel is supported on the bracket of the adjacent post;   attaching a second portion of each concrete column to a corresponding post.   
     
     
         2 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first end of the concrete panel overlaps part of the first portion of the concrete column at a given post, and wherein the second end of the concrete panel overlaps part of the first portion of the concrete column at the adjacent post. 
     
     
         3 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein at least one post of the plurality of posts is pounded in the ground. 
     
     
         4 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the column is screwed into the post. 
     
     
         5 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the second portion of the column is screwed into the post. 
     
     
         6 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the bracket is screwed into the post. 
     
     
         7 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each of the concrete panels is monolithic. 
     
     
         8 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each concrete panel is lightweight, including a foam core. 
     
     
         9 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the method requires no excavation. 
     
     
         10 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the method requires no concrete footings. 
     
     
         11 . A method for constructing a column and panel concrete fence, the method comprising:
 placing a plurality of posts in the ground, at least one of the posts being driven into the ground, without the use of any concrete footing;   attaching a bracket to each post;   attaching a first portion of a concrete column to each post, the first portion of the concrete column corresponding to a front or rear face of the fence;   placing a lightweight concrete panel on the brackets of adjacent posts such that a first end of the panel is supported on the bracket of one post and a second end of the panel is supported on the bracket of the adjacent post; and   attaching a second portion of each concrete column to a corresponding post at a location on the post opposite the first portion of the concrete column, the second portion of the concrete column corresponding to the other of the front or rear face of the fence.   
     
     
         12 . A method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein each lightweight concrete panel is configured so that an approximately 9 foot long panel having a height of 6 feet weighs no more than 500 lbs. 
     
     
         13 . A column and panel concrete fence comprising:
 a plurality of posts;   a concrete column attached to each post, each column including two portions which are separated from one another, and correspond to front and rear faces of the fence, respectively;   a lightweight concrete panel, a first end of the panel being positioned atop a bracket attached to one of the plurality of posts such that the first end of the panel extends between the portions of the column and a second end of the panel being positioned atop a bracket attached to an adjacent one of the plurality of posts such that the second end of the panel extends between the portions of the column attached to the adjacent post.   
     
     
         14 . A fence as recited in  claim 13 , wherein each lightweight concrete panel includes a foam core. 
     
     
         15 . A fence as recited in  claim 13 , wherein each of the concrete panels is precast as a monolithic single piece. 
     
     
         16 . A fence as recited in  claim 13 , wherein at least one post of the plurality of posts is secured in the ground without any concrete footing. 
     
     
         17 . A fence as recited in  claim 13 , wherein at least one post of the plurality of posts is driven in the ground. 
     
     
         18 . A fence as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the first and second portions of the concrete column are each screwed into the post. 
     
     
         19 . A fence as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the fence includes no concrete footings. 
     
     
         20 . A fence as recited in  claim 13 , wherein each lightweight concrete panel is configured so that an approximately 9 foot long panel having a height of 6 feet weighs no more than 500 lbs.