Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
21~2~0~
The present invention relates to partitioning
systems, and more particularly to preassembled partitioning
systems particularly useful as fences.
Fences may be either stick or piece built, or
5 constructed from preassembled sections that typically are 8
feet long by 5 to 7 feet high. The size of such sections
makes them difficult to transport by van, pick-up truck or
automobile roof racks. Preassembled sections are also
difficult to display and store at retail level. Self-serve
10 retail is generally impossible for an individual due to weight
and size. Spans of less than 8 feet and other partition
parts, like gates, need to be piece assembled on site. Large
preassembled sections are also prone to "sail" on windy days,
making them extremely dif f icult to place.
There is therefore a need for preassembled panels
to be used for partitioning or fencing that are smaller in
size, light in weight, easy to transport and of course cost
competitive with existing systems.
It is therefore an object of the present invention
20 to provide a partitioning system that obviates and mitigates
from the disadvantages of the prior art.
It is a further object of the present invention to
provide a partitioning system in which preassembled panels of
various materials including wood, plastic and metal of
25 relatively small size and light weight can be assembled easily
and quickly into a f ence or partition of various heights .
According to the present invention, there is
provided a partitioning system comprising a partitioning panel
sub-divided horizontally into at least two sub panels along
30 a line of cut, and stringer means respectively connected to
each of said at least two sub panels adjacent said line of
cut, said stringer means being adapted for connection to the
respective opposite one of said sub panels adjacent said line
of cut to reform said at least two sub panels into a
35 partitioning panel.
2142~Q2
--2--
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will
now be described in greater detail, and will be better
understood when read in conjunction with the following
drawings, in which:
Flgure 1 is an end elevational view of a fence panel
cut in half with a connecting envelope added thereto;
Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the fence
panel of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is an end elevational view of a fence panel
cut in half with a angled connecting envelope added thereto;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the fence panel
of Figure 3;
Figure 5 is an end elevational view of a vertical
alternating board-on-board fence cut in half with connecting
means therebetween;
Figure 6 is an end elevational view showing a
modif ied connection between the upper and lower halves of a
vertical alternating board-on-board fencing panel;
Figure 7 is a perspective view of the f encing panel
of Figure 6; and
Figure 8 is a perspective view of a fencing panel
in accordance with the present invention assembled between
spaced apart f ence posts .
With reference to Figures 1 to 4, the present system
advantageously makes use of conventional preassembled fence
or partitioning panels 10 that typically are sold in sections
8 f eet long by 5, 6 or 7 f eet high .
These panels come in a number of styles most or all
of which are adaptable to the present invention, the styles
including vertical one side, vertical alternating board-on-
board, picket, lattice, alternating panel, ranch and
combinations of two or more of these.
The panels are initially cut lengthwise into two sub
panels 12 and 13. Advantageously, each sub panel, after
cutting, will be of equal height, but this is not essential.
2142~2
--3--
As shown in Figure 1, the panels can be square-cut or, as
shown in Figure 3, diagonally cut. A stringer 15 is connected
to the lower edge 14 of panel 12 to extend downwardly below
the lower edge, and a similar stringer 18 is connected to the
5 upper edge 17 of sub panel 13 to be on the opposite side
relative to stringer 15 and to extend upwardly from edge 17.
As will be apparent, when sub panels 12 and 13 are once again
placed together along their respective opposed edges 14 and
17, stri~gers 15 and 18 will envelop the line of connection
10 for fastening to the respectively opposite sub panel by means
of staples, nails, threaded fasteners or the like. If a full
height section of less than the full overall length of sub
panel 12 or 13 is required, each sub panel can be cut
vertically to the required length, and the two sub-sections
15 placed together as shown in Figure 1.
With reference to Figures 5, 6 and 7, the present
invention is shown adapted for use with vertical alternating
board-on-board fencing panels 22. Once again, panel 22 is cut
horizontally in half into upper sub panel 23 and lower sub
20 panel 24. Stringers 27 are then connected between alternating
boards 30 adjacent the horizontal cut 33. Each sub panel is
advantageously provided with a joist 38 placed between boards
30 to abut stringer 27 lengthwise. When sub-panels 23 and 24
are reassembled, one of joists 38 is used as a tongue for
25 connecting the two sub sections, and the other can be used as
a stringer 40 to cover horizontal cut 33. Boards 30 are then
joined to joist 38 using nails, etc.
The sub-panels are interchangeable and can be used
for either the top or bottom of the final assembly. Also,
30 when the partition span is less than half the width of a
single panel, a single panel can be cut and the two pieces
assembled in the same manner as described above.
For purposes of constructing a fence, posts 50 are
set in the ground 8 feet apart in the normal way as shown in
35 Figure 8. The loweF sub panel 13 is t~en installed between
2l~2~a2
--4--
the posts, followed by installation of the upper sub panel 12,
the two sub panels being connected together by means of the
connecting envelope described above. The panels, after
installation, can be topped with decorative crowns, lattice
5 or mouldings.
The above-described embodiments of the present
invention are meant to be illustrative of preferred
embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to
limit the scope of the present invention. Various
10 modifications, which would be readily apparent to one skilled
in the art, are intended to be within the scope of the present
invention. The only limitations to the scope of the present
invention are set out in the following appended claims.
