Privacy fence system

Abstract

A modular privacy fence system that can be modified to achieve a variety of different appearances is disclosed. The fence system includes a frame defining a fence panel-receiving channel system that is defined by one or more fence panel-receiving channel segments, and a plurality of fence panels. The frame and the fence panels are co-operatively configured such that the fence panels are disposed within the fence panel-receiving channel system such that an interference fit relationship between the fence panels and the frame is effected, with effect that the fence panels are retained by the frame within a fence panel-retaining space. While the fence panels are disposed within the fence panel-retaining space, the retention of the fence panels by the frame is effected, such that for each one of the fence panels, independently, in the absence of connection of the fence panel to the frame by a fastener.

1 - 48 . (canceled) 
     
     
         49 . A fence system, comprising:
 a frame defining a fence panel-receiving channel system that is defined by one or more fence panel-receiving channel segments; and   a plurality of fence panels;   wherein the frame and the fence panels are co-operatively configured so that the fence panels are disposed within the fence panel-receiving channel system such that an interference fit relationship between the fence panels and the frame is effected, with effect that the fence panels are retained by the frame within a fence panel-retaining space.   
     
     
         50 . The fence system as claimed in  claim 49 , wherein the frame is rectangular or substantially rectangular. 
     
     
         51 . The fence system as claimed in  claim 49 , wherein the fence panels are made of plastic material. 
     
     
         52 . The fence system as claimed in  claim 51 , wherein the fence panels are plastic extrusions. 
     
     
         53 . The fence system as claimed in  claim 51 , wherein the fence panel-receiving channel segments are plastic extrusions. 
     
     
         54 . The fence system as claimed in  claim 49 , wherein the fence panel-receiving channel segments are made of a plastic material. 
     
     
         55 . The fence system as claimed in  claim 49 , wherein the retention is solely by the interference fit relationship with the frame. 
     
     
         56 . The fence system as claimed in  claim 49 , wherein the retention of the fence panels by the frame is effected, for each one of the fence panels, independently, in the absence of connection of the fence panel to the frame by a fastener. 
     
     
         57 . The fence system as claimed in  claim 56 , wherein the fence panels are disposed in the fence panel-receiving channel system so that, for each one of the fence panels, independently, ends of the fence panel are disposed in the one or more fence panel-receiving channel segments. 
     
     
         58 . The fence system as claimed in  claim 49 , wherein the fence panels are contained within a perimeter of the frame. 
     
     
         59 . The fence system as claimed in  claim 49 , wherein for each one of the fence panels, independently, there is an absence of extension of the fence panel beyond a perimeter of the frame. 
     
     
         60 . The fence system as claimed in  claim 49 , wherein each one of the channel segments, independently, includes a base wall and a pair of opposing side walls extending from the base wall. 
     
     
         61 . The fence system as claimed in  claim 60 , wherein the interference fit relationship is effected by contact engagement between the fence panels and the side walls. 
     
     
         62 . The fence system as claimed in  claim 49 , wherein the fence panels are disposed adjacent to one another. 
     
     
         63 . The fence system as claimed in  claim 62 , wherein the adjacent disposition is with effect that the fence panel-receiving space is opaque or substantially opaque. 
     
     
         64 . A kit for assembling a fence system, comprising:
 a plurality of frame segments co-operatively configured to be assembled to form a frame including a fence panel-receiving channel system and defining a fence panel-retaining space;   wherein the fence panel-receiving channel system is defined by one or more fence panel-receiving channel segments; and   a plurality of fence panels;   
       wherein:
 the frame and the fence panels are co-operatively configured such that the fence panels are receivable within the fence panel-receiving channel system so that an interference fit relationship between the fence panels and the frame is effected, with effect that the fence panels are retained by the frame within the fence panel-retaining space. 
 
     
     
         65 . The kit as claimed in  claim 64 , wherein the retention is solely by the interference fit relationship with the frame. 
     
     
         66 . The kit as claimed in  claim 64 , wherein the retention of the fence panels by the frame is effectible, for each one of the fence panels, independently, in the absence of connection of the fence panel to the frame by a fastener. 
     
     
         67 . The kit as claimed in  claim 64 , wherein the fence panels are disposed in the fence panel-receiving channel system is such that, for each one of the fence panels, independently, the ends of the fence panel are disposed in the one or more channel segments. 
     
     
         68 . The kit as claimed in  claim 64 , wherein the fence panels are configured for being contained in the perimeter of the frame. 
     
     
         69 . The kit as claimed in  claim 64 , wherein the fence panels are cooperatively configured so that for each one of the fence panels, independently, there is an absence of extension of the fence panel beyond the perimeter of the frame. 
     
     
         70 . The kit as claimed in  claim 64 , wherein each one of the channel segments, independently, includes a base wall and a pair of opposing side walls extending from the base wall. 
     
     
         71 . The kit as claimed in  claim 70 , wherein the interference fit relationship is effectible by contact engagement between the fence panels and the side walls. 
     
     
         72 . The kit as claimed in  claim 64 , wherein the fence panels are co-operatively configured such that, while the fence panels are being retained by the frame in the fence panel-retaining space, the fence panels are disposed adjacent to one another. 
     
     
         73 . The kit as claimed in  claim 72 , wherein the adjacent disposition is with effect that the fence panel-receiving space is opaque or substantially opaque. 
     
     
         74 . The kit as claimed in  claim 64  wherein:
 each one of the plurality of frame segments, independently, includes a longitudinal portion extending between oppositely disposed end portions; and 
 the frame segments are co-operatively configured to be assembled to form a frame having corners defined by adjacent end portions. 
 
     
     
         75 . The kit as claimed in  claim 74 , wherein each one of the frame segments, independently, further includes at least one of the fence panel-receiving channel segments. 
     
     
         76 . The kit as claimed in  claim 75 , wherein each one of the channel segments, independently, extends along the longitudinal portion of the frame segment, and is configured for receiving a respective end of at least one of the fence panels. 
     
     
         77 . The kit as claimed in  claim 76 , wherein the adjacent frame segments are connectible at a respective one of the frame corners. 
     
     
         78 . The kit as claimed in  claim 64 , further comprising:
 a first post; and   a second post;   wherein the assembled frame, the first post, and the second post are co-operatively configured such that, the assembled frame is connectible to each one of the first and second posts, independently, so that the assembled frame is retained in a vertical orientation by the first and second posts.   
     
     
         79 . The kit as claimed in  claim 64 , further comprising:
 a fence post defining a receiving channel that is configured for receiving the frame in an interference fit relationship so that the retention of the frame, in the vertical orientation, is effected.   
     
     
         80 . The kit as claimed in  claim 79 , wherein the fence post is one of a plurality of fence posts and the frame is one of a plurality of frames, wherein the plurality of fence posts and the plurality of frames are configured for disposition in an alternating series.