Vertically-oriented barrier

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein include a kit for assembling a vertically-oriented barrier (40, 70), a barrier (40, 70) assembled from the kit, and a method of manufacturing such kit. The barrier (40, 70) is formed from at least two differently-shaped interlocking components (20, 26, 50, 60), and each interlocking component (20, 26, 50, 60) has at least one recession (22, 24, 52, 66), at least one protrusion (28, 54, 64), or both. The protrusions (28, 54, 64) are inserted into the recessions (22, 24, 52, 66) to produce a barrier (40, 70). The interlocking component (20, 26, 50, 60) may be produced by slicing suitably-shaped rods (160), and the rods (160) may be produced by extrusion.

1 . A method of manufacturing a kit for assembling a vertically-oriented barrier, the method comprising:
 acquiring a first rod having a major dimension and a constant first cross-section normal to the major dimension, the perimeter of the first cross-section having at least one recession, at least one protrusion, or both;   acquiring a second rod having a major dimension and a constant second cross-section normal to the major dimension, the second cross-section differing in shape from the first cross-section, the perimeter of the second cross-section having at least one recession, at least one protrusion, or both, the protrusions of the second cross-section sized and shaped to fit within the recessions of the first cross-section, and the protrusions of the first cross-section sized and shaped to fit within the recessions of the second cross-section;   repeatedly slicing the first rod at an angle to its major dimension; and   repeatedly slicing the second rod at an angle to its major dimension;   wherein the sliced segments of the first and second rods become interlocking components of a kit for assembling a vertically-oriented barrier.   
     
     
         2 . The manufacturing method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 extruding material to produce the first and second rods to be sliced. 
 
     
     
         3 . The manufacturing method of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second rods are sliced perpendicularly to their major dimensions. 
     
     
         4 . The manufacturing method of  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the interlocking components have holes extending therethrough. 
     
     
         5 . A vertically-oriented barrier comprising:
 a plurality of first interlocking components, each first interlocking component having at least one recession, at least one protrusion, or both; and   a plurality of second interlocking components differing in shape from the first interlocking components, each second interlocking component having at least one recession, at least one protrusion, or both;   wherein the protrusions of either the first or the second interlocking components are inserted into the recessions of the second or the first interlocking components, respectively.   
     
     
         6 . The barrier of  claim 5 , wherein at least some of the interlocking components have holes extending therethrough. 
     
     
         7 . The barrier of  claim 6 , wherein all of the interlocking components have holes extending therethrough. 
     
     
         8 . The barrier of  claim 6  wherein the hole of an interlocking component extends normal to the direction the protrusion extends. 
     
     
         9 . The barrier of  claim 5 , wherein the recessions and the protrusions of the interlocking components lie in the same plane. 
     
     
         10 . The barrier of  claim 5 , wherein for at least some of the interlocking components at least one of the recessions, at least one of the protrusions, or both do not lie in the same plane. 
     
     
         11 . The barrier of  claim 10 , wherein the interlocking components form a barrier having a zigzag shape. 
     
     
         12 . The barrier of  claim 10 , wherein the interlocking components form a barrier having a serpentine shape. 
     
     
         13 . A kit for assembling a vertically-oriented barrier, the kit comprising:
 a plurality of first interlocking components, each first interlocking component having at least one recession, at least one protrusion, or both; and   a plurality of second interlocking components differing in shape from the first interlocking components, each second interlocking component having at least one recession, at least one protrusion, or both;   wherein the protrusions of either the first or the second interlocking components are sized and shaped to fit within the recessions of the second or the first interlocking components, respectively.   
     
     
         14 . The kit of  claim 13 , wherein at least some of the interlocking components have holes extending therethrough. 
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 14 , wherein all of the interlocking components have holes extending therethrough. 
     
     
         16 . The kit of  claim 14 , wherein the hole of an interlocking component extends normal to the direction the protrusion extends. 
     
     
         17 . The kit of  claim 13 , wherein the recessions and the protrusions of the interlocking components lie in the same plane. 
     
     
         18 . The kit of  claim 13 , for at least some of the interlocking components at least one of the recessions. at least one of the protrusions, or both do not lie in the same plane. 
     
     
         19 . The kit of  claim 18 , wherein the interlocking components form a barrier having a zigzag shape. 
     
     
         20 . The kit of  claim 18 , wherein the interlocking components form a barrier having a serpentine shape.