Methods of supporting a barrier panel, kits, and assemblies

Abstract

A method is disclosed of supporting a barrier panel attached to a first post supported by a first foundational body. The method involves positioning a first support portion of the barrier panel on a support surface of the first foundational body, the first support portion of the barrier panel indirectly engaged with the first post. Kits and assemblies are also disclosed.

Description

METHODS OF SUPPORTING A BARRIER PANEL, KITS, AND ASSEMBLIES FIELD This disclosure relates generally to barriers. RELATED ART Barriers, such as fences, may be desirable to enclose, restrict access to, or direct access to land, for example. SUMMARY According to at least one embodiment, there is disclosed a method of supporting a barrier panel attached to a first post supported by a first foundational body, the method comprising positioning a first support portion of the barrier panel on a support surface of the first foundational body, the first support portion of the barrier panel indirectly engaged with the first post. In some embodiments, the first support portion of the barrier panel extends away from the barrier panel in a direction along the first post. In some embodiments, the first support portion of the barrier panel extends in a direction downward and away from a bottom laterally extending member of the barrier panel. In some embodiments, the first support portion of the barrier panel comprises a leg support. In some embodiments, a post-support portion of the first foundational body above the support surface is received into a lower portion of the first post. In some embodiments, a lower surface of the first post directly contacts the support surface of the first foundational body. In some embodiments, the support surface of the first foundational body is substantially planar. In some embodiments, the first post is attached to the first foundational body. In some embodiments, the first foundational body is engaged with an underlying material supporting the first foundational body. In some embodiments, an engagement portion of the first foundational body penetrates into the underlying material. In some embodiments, the engagement portion of the first foundational body comprises a spike. In some embodiments, the underlying material comprises soil. In some embodiments, the first foundational body comprises a support plate comprising the support surface. In some embodiments, the support plate directly contacts the underlying material. In some embodiments, the barrier panel is further attached to a second post supported by a second foundational body. In some embodiments, the method further comprises positioning a second support portion of the barrier panel on a support surface of the second foundational body. In some embodiments: the support surface of the first foundational body is at a first elevation; and the support surface of the second foundational body is at a second elevation above the first elevation. In some embodiments, an angle of elevation gain from the first support surface to the second support surface is at least about 4°. In some embodiments: the barrier panel comprises a first at least one post attachment body attaching the barrier panel to the first post at a first lateral side of the barrier panel; the barrier panel comprises a second at least one post attachment body attaching the barrier panel to the second post at a second lateral side of the barrier panel opposite the first lateral side of the barrier panel; each post attachment body of the first at least one post attachment body is laterally opposite a corresponding post attachment body of the second at least one post attachment body; and each post attachment body of the first at least one post attachment body has a respective height on the barrier panel that corresponds to a respective height on the barrier panel of the corresponding post attachment body of the second at least one post attachment body but that differs by more than a height of the post attachment body of the first at least one post attachment body and by more than a height of the corresponding post attachment body of the second at least one post attachment body. In some embodiments, the barrier panel is rotatable about the first post. In some embodiments, the barrier panel is rotatable about the first post, and the method further comprises latching the barrier panel to a second post. According to at least one embodiment, there is disclosed a kit comprising: a first foundational body comprising a support surface; a first post supportable by the first foundational body; and a barrier panel having a first lateral side, a second lateral side opposite the first lateral side, a top side between the first and second lateral sides, and a bottom side between the first and second lateral sides and opposite the top side, the barrier panel attachable to at least the first post at the first lateral side of the barrier panel and comprising a first support portion. When the first foundational body supports the first post, and when the barrier panel is attached to the first post at the first lateral side of the barrier panel, the first support portion of the barrier panel: is positionable to contact the support surface of the first foundational body to support the barrier panel; and is indirectly engaged with the first post. In some embodiments, the barrier panel comprises a first at least one post attachment body on the first lateral side of the barrier panel and configured to attach the barrier panel to the first post at the first lateral side of the barrier panel. In some embodiments, each post attachment body of the first at least one post attachment body comprises a receptacle sized to receive a respective at least a portion of the first post to attach the barrier panel to the first post at the first lateral side of the barrier panel. In some embodiments, the first support portion of the barrier panel extends away from the barrier panel in a direction that is along the first post when the barrier panel is attached to the first post. In some embodiments: the barrier panel comprises a bottom laterally extending member on the bottom side of the barrier panel; and the first support portion of the barrier panel extends in a direction away from the top side of the barrier panel and away from the bottom laterally extending member of the barrier panel. In some embodiments, the first support portion of the barrier panel comprises a leg support. In some embodiments: the first foundational body comprises a post-support portion on a top side of the support surface; and the first post is coupleable to the post-support portion of the first foundational body to support the first post on the first foundational body. In some embodiments, the first post comprises a retaining portion sized to receive at least a portion of the post-support portion of the first foundational body to support the first post on the first foundational body. In some embodiments, the first post comprises an end surface that directly contacts the support surface of the first foundational body when the first foundational body supports the first post. In some embodiments, the support surface of the first foundational body is substantially planar. In some embodiments, the first post is attachable to the first foundational body when the first foundational body supports the first post. In some embodiments, the first foundational body comprises an engagement portion operable to penetrate into an underlying material to support the first foundational body on the underlying material. In some embodiments, the engagement portion of the first foundational body comprises a spike. In some embodiments, the first foundational body comprises a support plate comprising the support surface. In some embodiments, the support plate is positioned to contact the underlying material directly when the engagement portion of the first foundational body penetrates into the underlying material. In some embodiments, the kit further comprises: a second foundational body comprising a support surface; and a second post supportable by the second foundational body. In some embodiments, the barrier panel is further attachable to the second post at the second lateral side of the barrier panel. In some embodiments, the barrier panel further comprises a second support portion, and when the second foundational body supports the second post, and when the barrier panel is attached to the second post at the second lateral side of the barrier panel, the second support portion of the barrier panel: is positionable to contact the support surface of the second foundational body to support the barrier panel; and is indirectly engaged with the second post. In some embodiments, when the first foundational body supports the first post, when the second foundational body supports the second post, when the support surface of the first foundational body is at a first elevation, and when the support surface of the second foundational body is at a second elevation above the first elevation: the second support surface of the barrier panel is positionable to contact the support surface of the second foundational body to support the barrier panel; the barrier panel is attachable to the first post at the first lateral side of the barrier panel; and the barrier panel is attachable to the second post at the second lateral side of the barrier panel. In some embodiments, when the first foundational body supports the first post, when the second foundational body supports the second post, when the support surface of the first foundational body is at a first elevation, when the support surface of the second foundational body is at a second elevation above the first elevation, and when an angle of elevation gain from the first support surface to the second support surface is at least about 4°: the second support surface of the barrier panel is positionable to contact the support surface of the second foundational body to support the barrier panel; the barrier panel is attachable to the first post at the first lateral side of the barrier panel; and the barrier panel is attachable to the second post at the second lateral side of the barrier panel. In some embodiments: the barrier panel further comprises a second at least one post attachment body on the second lateral side of the barrier panel and configured to attach the barrier panel to the second post at the second lateral side of the barrier panel; each post attachment body of the first at least one post attachment body is laterally opposite a corresponding post attachment body of the second at least one post attachment body; and each post attachment body of the first at least one post attachment body has a respective height on the barrier panel that corresponds to a respective height on the barrier panel of the corresponding post attachment body of the second at least one post attachment body but that differs by more than a height of the post attachment body of the first at least one post attachment body and by more than a height of the corresponding post attachment body of the second at least one post attachment body In some embodiments, the barrier panel is rotatable about the first post when the barrier panel is attached to the first post. In some embodiments, the barrier panel is rotatable about the first post when the barrier panel is attached to the first post, and the kit further comprises: a second post; a latch; and a latch retainer. In some embodiments, the latch and the latch retainer are operable to latch the barrier panel to the second post. According to at least one embodiment, there is disclosed an assembly comprising the kit, wherein: the first foundational body supports the first post; the barrier panel is attached to the first post at the first lateral side of the barrier panel; the first support portion of the barrier panel contacts the support surface of the first foundational body to support the barrier panel; and the first support portion of the barrier panel is indirectly engaged with the first post. In some embodiments, the engagement portion of the first foundational body penetrates into and engages the underlying material to support the first foundational body on the underlying material. In some embodiments, the underlying material comprises soil. Other aspects and features will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of illustrative embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a barrier assembly according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is an elevation view of a foundational body of the barrier assembly of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the foundational body of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is an elevation view of the foundational body of FIG. 2 engaged with an underlying material. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a post of the barrier assembly of FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is an elevation view of the post of FIG. 5 positioned above and aligned with a post-support portion of the foundational body of FIG. 2. FIG. 7 is an elevation view of the post of FIG. 5 lowered onto the post-support portion of the foundational body of FIG. 2. FIG. 8 is an elevation view of a barrier panel of the barrier assembly of FIG. 1. FIG. 9 is an enlarged elevation view of a post attachment body of the barrier panel of FIG. 8. FIG. 10 is a plan view of the post attachment body of FIG. 9. FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of the post attachment body of FIG. 9. FIG. 12 is an elevation view of the barrier panel of FIG. 8 attached to the post of FIG. 5. FIG. 13 is an elevation view of the barrier panel of FIG. 8 attached to the post of FIG. 5 and to another post of the barrier assembly of FIG. 1. FIG. 14 is an enlarged elevation view of the barrier assembly of FIG. 1. FIG. 15 is another elevation view of the barrier assembly of FIG. 1. FIG. 16 is an elevation view of a barrier panel according to another embodiment. FIG. 17 is an elevation view of a barrier assembly according to another embodiment and including the barrier panel of FIG. 16. FIG. 18 is an enlarged elevation view of the barrier assembly of FIG. 17. FIG. 19 is another enlarged elevation view of the barrier assembly of FIG. 18. FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a latch retainer of the barrier assembly of FIG. 18. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to FIG. 1, a barrier assembly according to one embodiment is shown generally at 100 and includes foundational bodies 102, 104, 106, 108, and 110. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the foundational body 102 is shown generally and includes a support plate 112. In the embodiment shown, the support plate 112 is generally annular and has a top side shown generally at 114 and a bottom side shown generally at 116. Herein, “top” and “bottom” refer to possible orientations during use, and are not intended to limit the foundational body 102 to a particular orientation. On the top side 114, the support plate 112 has a support surface 118. The foundational body 102 also includes a post-support body 120 extending through a through-opening in the support plate 112 from the top side 114 to the bottom side 116 of the support plate 112 such that a post-support portion shown generally at 122 of the post-support body 120 is on the top side 114 of the support plate 112. In the embodiment shown, the post-support body 120 is generally cylindrical and defines a lateral through-opening shown generally at 123. On the bottom side 116 of the support plate 112, the foundational body 102 includes a spike 124. In the embodiment shown, the spike 124 includes four spike blades 126, 128, 130, and 132. The spike 124 terminates at a tip at a distal end shown generally at 134. A height of the spike 124 from the support plate 112 to the tip at the distal end 134 may be about of about 10 inches (or about 25.4 centimeters (“cm’)) or about 14 inches (or about 35.6 cm). In some embodiments, a larger spike (such as a spike having a height of about 14 inches (or about 35.6 cm), for example) may be used in corners of a barrier assembly, or to support a gate panel (such as the gate panel 260 described below, for example), and a shorter spike (such as a spike having a height of about 10 inches (or about 25.4 cm), for example) may be used in other locations. Of course, the embodiment shown is an example only, and alternative embodiments may differ. For example, alternative embodiments may include different support plates, or may include alternatives to the support plate 112. Also, alternative embodiments may include alternatives to the post-support body 120 and alternatives to the spike 124, such as, for example, different sizes of the spike 124. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, to assemble the barrier assembly 100, the foundational body 102 may be engaged with an underlying material, such as soil 136 for example, by positioning the tip at the distal end 134 against the underlying material and driving the spike 124 into the underlying material, for example using a mallet or a hammer. A bubble level may facilitate causing the post-support portion 122 to be vertical or substantially vertical. The spike 124 may be driven into the soil 136 until the support plate 112 contacts an upper surface 138 of the soil 136. Therefore, the support plate 112 may facilitate driving the spike 124 to a desired depth in the soil 136. Further ,the support plate 112 may facilitate resisting vertical movement of the foundational body 102 relative to the soil 136 or another underlying material, or may facilitate resisting rotation of the foundational body 102 relative to the soil 136 or another underlying material. Referring again to FIG. 1, the foundational bodies 104, 106, 108, and 110 may be substantially the same as the foundational body 102, and the barrier assembly 100 also includes posts 140, 142, 144, 146, and 148. Referring to FIG. 5, the post 140 is shown generally and includes a post body 150. The post body 150 includes a lower end surface 152. In the embodiment shown, the post body 150 is generally cylindrical, includes a receptacle shown generally at 154 which is open at the end surface 152, and forms a lateral through-opening shown generally at 156. In the embodiment shown, the receptacle 154 is sized to receive the post-support portion 122. In some embodiments, the post 140 may have a height of about 36 inches (or about 91 cm). Referring to FIGS. 1, 6, and 7, to assemble the barrier assembly 100, when the foundational body 102 is engaged with the soil 136, the post body 150 of the post 140 may be positioned above and aligned with the post-support portion 122 of the foundational body 102 along a longitudinal axis 158, as shown in FIG. 6. The post 140 may then be lowered onto the foundational body 102 such that the foundational body 102 supports the post 140, as shown in FIG. 7. In the embodiment shown, when the post 140 is lowered onto the foundational body 102, the receptacle 154 of the post 140 receives the post-support portion 122 of the foundational body 102, and the end surface 152 of the post 140 directly contacts and is supported by the support surface 118 of the foundational body 102. Also, in the embodiment shown, when the post 140 is lowered onto the foundational body 102, the through-opening 156 of the post 140 may be aligned with the through-opening 123 of the foundational body 102 such that a fastener, such as a pin for example, may be inserted through both the through- opening 156 and the through-opening 123 so as to attach the post 140 to the foundational body 102. Of course, the embodiment shown is an example only, and alternative embodiments may differ. For example, alternative embodiments may include alternatives to the receptacle 154, or may not include any means for the post body 150 to receive the post-support portion 122. Also, alternative embodiments may include alternatives to the through-openings 123 and 156 as a means of attaching the post 140 to the foundational body 102. Referring again to FIG. 1, the posts 142, 144, 146, and 148 may be substantially the same as the post 140, and the barrier assembly 100 also includes barrier panels 160, 162, 164, 166, 168, and 170. Referring to FIG. 8, the barrier panel 162 is shown generally and includes lateral members 172 and 174, a top member 176 extending between the lateral members 172 and 174, a bottom member 178 extending between the lateral members 172 and 174, and post attachment bodies 180, 182, 184, and 186. The lateral member 172 includes a support portion 188, and the lateral member 174 includes a support portion 190. In the embodiment shown, the barrier panel 162 includes vertical medial members 192, 194, 196, 198, 200, and 202 extending between the top member 176 and the bottom member 178, and a horizontal medial member 204 extending between the lateral members 172 and 174. Also, in the embodiment shown, the support portions 188 and 190 extend below and away from the bottom member 178, and may be described as leg supports. In some embodiments, the barrier panel 162 may have a height of about 36 inches (or about 91 cm), and a width of about 34 inches (or about 86 cm) or about 48 inches (or about 122 cm). Referring to FIGS. 9-11, the post attachment body 180 is shown generally and includes a structure defining a post receptacle shown generally at 206. The post receptacle 206 is sized to receive at least a portion of a post body such as the post body 150 of the post 140 in order to reversibly and adjustably attach the post attachment body 180, and thus the barrier panel 162, to the post body. In the embodiment shown, the post attachment body 180 forms through- openings 210 and 212, which may enhance the attachment between the post attachment body 180 and a post body such as the post body 150, for example if fasteners such as screw fasteners are driven through the through-openings 210 and 212 and into the post body. Therefore, the post attachment body 180 has a sufficient thickness or height to receive one or more fasteners through the through-openings 210 and 212. Referring again to FIG. 8, the post attachment bodies 182, 184, and 186 may be substantially the same as the post attachment body 180. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 12, to assemble the barrier assembly 100, when the post 140 is supported by the foundational body 102, the barrier panel 162 may be attached to the post body 150 of the post 140 using the post attachment bodies 180 and 182 and positioned such that the support portion 188 of the lateral member 172 is in contact with the support surface 118 of the foundational body 102. In other words, in the embodiment shown, the barrier panel 162 has three points of contact (the post attachment bodies 180 and 182 and the support portion 188) that support the barrier panel 162 relative to the foundational body 102. In the embodiment shown, the post body 150 is held parallel to but at a fixed distance from the lateral member 172 and thus the support portion 188. That is, in the embodiment shown, the support portion 188 is spaced apart from the post body 150 but engaged with post body 150 via the post attachment bodies 180 and 182, which may engage the post body 150 directly, so the support portion 188 is indirectly engaged with the post body 150. Furthermore, in the embodiment shown, the support surface 118 supports the barrier panel 162 through the support portion 188. Referring to FIGS. 1, 12, and 13, when the post 140 is supported by the foundational body 102, and when the barrier panel 162 is attached to the post body 150 of the post 140 such that support portion 188 is in contact with the support surface 118, a post body 214 of the post 142 may be positioned through the post attachment bodies 184 and 186 to identify a location for the foundational body 104, for example by marking the upper surface 138 of the soil 136 with a bottom end of the post body 214. In some embodiments, to identify positions for foundational bodies in a straight line, stakes may be driven into the soil 136 or into another underlying material, a string may be tensioned between the stakes, and the positioned for the foundational bodies may be identified along the string. Once a location for the foundational body 104 is identified, the barrier panel 162 may be rotated slightly around the post 140 to make room for the foundational body 104 to be engaged with the soil 136 the identified position. To assemble the barrier assembly 100 further, when the post 140 is supported by the foundational body 102, when the post 142 is supported by the foundational body 104, and when the barrier panel 162 is attached to the post body 150 of the post 140 such that support portion 188 is in contact with the support surface 118, the barrier panel 162 may further be attached to the post body 214 of the post 142 using the post attachment bodies 184 and 186, and positioned such that the support portion 190 of the lateral member 174 is in contact with a support surface 216 of the foundational body 104. In the embodiment shown, the post body 214 is held parallel to but at a fixed distance from the lateral member 174 and thus the support portion 190. That is, in the embodiment shown, the support portion 190 is indirectly engaged with the post body 214. Furthermore, in the embodiment shown, the support surface 216 supports the barrier panel 162 through the support portion 190. Of course, the embodiment shown is an example only, and alternative embodiments may differ. For example, alternative embodiments may include different medial members, or no medial members. Also, alternative embodiments may include different support portions 188 and 190, for example support portions which may not extend below and away from bottom member 178. Also, alternative embodiments may include different post attachment bodies 180, 182, 184, and 186, may include a different number of post attachment bodies, or may include alternatives to the post attachment bodies 180, 182, 184, and 186. Referring again to FIG. 1, the barrier panels 160, 164, 166, 168, and 170 may be substantially the same as the barrier panel 162. Referring to FIG. 14, the post 146 is shown generally as supported on the foundational body 108 and attached to barrier panels 166 and 168. The foundational body 108 includes a support surface 219 which may be similar to the support surface 118 of the foundational body 102 shown in FIG. 2. The post 146 includes a post body 218 which may be similar to the post body 150 of the post 140 shown in FIG. 5. The barrier panel 166 includes a lateral member 220 which includes a support portion 221 and which may be similar to the lateral member 172 of the barrier panel 162 shown in FIG. 8, and post attachment bodies 224 and 226, which may be similar to the post attachment body 180 of the barrier panel 162 shown in FIG. 8, and which may attach the barrier panel 166 to the post body 218. Likewise, the barrier panel 168 includes a lateral member 222 which includes a support portion 223 and which may be similar to the lateral member 172 of the barrier panel 162 shown in FIG. 8, and post attachment bodies 228 and 230, which may be similar to the post attachment body 180 of the barrier panel 162 shown in FIG. 8, and which may attach the barrier panel 168 to the post body 218. In the embodiment shown, the post attachment bodies 224 and 226 are positioned on the lateral member 220 and the post attachment bodies 228 and 230 are positioned on the lateral member 222 such that when the post 146 is supported on the foundational body 108, and when the barrier panels 166 and 168 are attached to the post body 218 of the post 146 using the post attachment bodies 224 and 226 and 228 and 230, respectively, and when the support portions 221 and 223 are in contact with the support surface 219, the post attachment bodies 224 and 228 are vertically offset so that a height above support surface 219 of the post attachment body 224 differs from a height above support surface 219 of the post attachment body 228 by more than a height or thickness 231 of the post attachment body 224, and, similarly, the post attachment bodies 226 and 230 are vertically offset so that a height above support surface 219 of the post attachment body 226 differs from a height above support surface 219 of the post attachment body 230 by more than the height 231. Such differences in height may prevent post attachment bodies on adjacent barrier panels, such as the post attachment bodies 224 and 228 or 226 and 230, from interfering with each other when attached to the same post body, such as post body 218, even when the barrier panels 166 and 168 are level but at different elevations over sloped ground, for example. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 15, the barrier assembly 100 may be installed on a sloped surface such as a sloped region, shown generally at 232, of the upper surface 138 underlying the barrier panel 164. In the embodiment shown, the sloped region 232 has an elevation angle 234 which may be, for example, at least about 4°. The barrier panel 164 is attached to the posts 142 and 144, the post 142 is supported by the foundational body 104, and the post 144 is supported by the foundational body 106. The foundational body 104 includes a support surface 236, and the foundational body 106 includes a support surface 238. The support surfaces 236 and 238 may be similar to the support surface 118 of the foundational body 102 shown in FIG. 2. The post 142 includes a post body 240, and the post 144 includes a post body 242. The post bodies 240 and 242 may be similar to the post body 150 of the post 140 shown in FIG. 5. The barrier panel 164 includes lateral members 244 and 246. The lateral member 244 includes support portion 248, and the lateral member 246 includes support portion 250. The lateral member 244 and 246 may be similar to the lateral member 172 of the barrier panel 162 shown in FIG. 8. The barrier panel also includes post attachment bodies 252, 254, 256, and 258, which may be similar to the post attachment body 180 of the barrier panel 162 shown in FIG. 8. The post attachment bodies 252 and 254 may attach the barrier panel 162 to the post body 240 of the post 142, and the post attachment bodies 256 and 258 may attach the barrier panel 162 to the post body 242 of the post 144. As described above referring to the post attachment body 180 shown in FIGS. 9-11, each post attachment body in the embodiment shown, including the post attachment bodies 252, 254, 256, and 258, may be reversibly and adjustably attached to a respective post, such as the post 142 or 144. That is, for example, the post attachment body 252 may be attached to the post 142 at multiple points, or heights, along the post body 240. Additionally, as described above referring to the barrier panel 162 shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, and specifically to the support portions 188 and 190 of lateral members 172 and 174, respectively, each support portion of each lateral member in the embodiment shown, including support portions 248 and 250 of lateral members 244 and 246, respectively, may be supported by, but not necessarily attached to, a respective support surface of a foundational body, such as the support surface 236 or 238. That is, for example, when the barrier assembly 100 is fully assembled, the support portion 250 may be positioned above and a distance away from the support surface 238, instead of being in contact with the support surface 238. The adjustable attachment feature of the post attachment bodies, and the potential for complete assembly without contact between at least some of the support portions and their respective support surfaces, may allow the barrier assembly 100 to be installed on a sloped surface such as the sloped region 232. As a result of the elevation angle 234 of the sloped region 232, the foundational bodies 104 and 106, and thus the support surfaces 236 and 238, may be located at different elevations. In the embodiment shown, the support surface 236 is at a higher elevation than the support surface 238. As a consequence, the post 142 is supported from and thus positioned at a higher elevation than the post 144. As shown in FIG. 15, because of the adjustable attachment feature of the post attachment bodies 252, 254, 256, and 258, the barrier panel 164 may be attached to both the post 142 and the post 144, despite the elevation difference between the posts 142 and 144. Furthermore, because the support portion 250 need not contact the support surface 238, the barrier panel may be supported only by the support surface 236 through the support portion 248, despite being attached to both the post 142 and the post 144. Referring to FIG. 16, an alternative embodiment of a barrier panel is shown generally at 260. This embodiment, which may be referred to as a gate panel, may replace any one of the barrier panels 160, 162, 164, 166, 168, or 170 of the barrier assembly 100. The gate panel 260 includes lateral members 262 and 264, a top member 266 extending between the lateral members 262 and 264, a bottom member 268 extending between the lateral members 262 and 264, and post attachment bodies 270 and 272. The lateral member 262 includes a support portion 274, and the lateral member 264 includes a support portion 276. In the embodiment shown, the gate panel 260 includes vertical medial members 278, 280, 282, 284, 286, and 288 extending between the top member 266 and the bottom member 268, and a horizontal medial member 290 extending between the lateral members 262 and 264. Also in the embodiment shown, the gate panel includes a latch 292. In some embodiments, the gate panel 260 may have a height of about 36 inches (or about 91 cm), and a width of about 33.5 inches (or about 85 cm). Referring to FIG. 17, to assemble the barrier assembly 100 with the gate panel 260 in place of the barrier panel 168, when the post 146 is supported by the foundational body 108, the gate panel 260 may be attached to the post body 218 of the post 146 using the post attachment bodies 270 and 272 and positioned such that the support portion 274 of the lateral member 262 is in contact with the support surface 219 of the foundational body 108. In this embodiment, the post body 218 is held parallel to but at a fixed distance from the lateral member 262 and thus the support portion 274. That is, in this embodiment, the support portion 274 is indirectly engaged with the post body 218. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the support surface 219 supports the gate panel 260 through the support portion 274. Referring to FIG. 18, the post attachment body 270 is shown generally and includes a hinge 294 sized to receive a bushing 296. The bushing 296 is retained within the hinge 294, but is free to rotate about a longitudinal axis 298 passing through the centre of the hinge 294 and through the centre of the bushing 296 when the bushing 296 is retained within the hinge 294. The bushing 296 defines a post receptacle shown generally at 300 which is sized to receive at least a portion of a post body such as the post body 218 of the post 146, for example, in order to reversibly and adjustably attach the post attachment body 270, and thus the gate panel 260, to the post body 218. Because the bushing 296 is free to rotate within the hinge 294, the gate panel 260 may rotate relative to the post 146 about the axis 298. Referring again to FIG. 17, the post attachment body 272 may be substantially the same as the post attachment body 270, and further to assemble the barrier assembly 100 with gate panel 260 in place of barrier panel 168, when the post 146 is supported by the foundational body 108, when the post 148 is supported by the foundational body 110, and when the gate panel 260 is attached to the post body 218 of the post 146 such that support portion 274 is in contact with the support surface 219, the post 148 may be positioned at a distance from post 146 such that the gate panel 260 is free to rotate about the axis 298 between the posts 146 and 148 and such that when the gate panel 260 is rotated about the axis 298 into a closed position, the lateral member 264 is adjacent to a post body 302 of the post 148 and the support portion 276 of the lateral member 264 is in contact with a support surface 304 of the foundational body 110. When the gate panel 260 is in the closed position, the post body 302 is positioned parallel to but at a fixed distance from the lateral member 264 and thus the support portion 276. In the embodiment shown, the post 148 also includes a latch retainer 306 which is configured to engage with the latch 292 to fasten the gate panel 260 reversibly to the post 148 when the gate panel is in the closed position. Referring to FIG. 19, the latch 292 is shown generally and includes a latch bolt 312 and a latch frame 314. In the embodiment shown, the gate panel 260 is in the closed position such that the lateral member 264 is adjacent to the post body 302. The latch bolt 312 may be moved within the latch frame 314 into an unlatched position, where the latch bolt 312 does not engage with the latch retainer 306, or into a latched position, where the latch bolt 312 does engage with the latch retainer 306. Referring to FIG. 20, the latch retainer 306 is shown generally and includes a structure defining a post receptacle shown generally at 308 and a structure defining a latch receptacle shown generally at 310. The post receptacle 308 is sized to receive at least a portion of a post body such as the post body 302 of the post 148 in order to attach the latch retainer 306 to the post body 302. Referring to FIGS. 19 and 20, the latch receptacle 310 is sized to receive reversibly at least a portion of the latch bolt 312 when the gate panel 260 is in the closed position and the latch bolt 312 is in the latched position, thus fastening the gate panel 260 to the post 148. Of course, the embodiments shown are examples only, and alternative embodiments may differ. For example, alternative embodiments may include different support portions 274 and 276 of the gate panel 260, different post attachment bodies 270 and 272, may include a different number of post attachment bodies, or may include alternatives to the post attachment bodies 270 and 272. Also, alternative embodiments may include different latches or latch retainers, or may not include a latch and latch retainer. In general, embodiments such as those described above may facilitate assembly of fences or other barriers in which, for example, barrier panels may be supported relative to posts that may be vertical or substantially vertical on sloped surfaces. Although specific embodiments have been described and illustrated, such embodiments should be considered illustrative only and not as limiting the invention as construed according to the accompanying claims.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A method of supporting a barrier panel attached to a first post supported by a first foundational body, the method comprising: positioning a first support portion of the barrier panel on a support surface of the first foundational body, the first support portion of the barrier panel indirectly engaged with the first post.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first support portion of the barrier panel extends away from the barrier panel in a direction along the first post.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein the first support portion of the barrier panel extends in a direction downward and away from a bottom laterally extending member of the barrier panel.

4. The method of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the first support portion of the barrier panel comprises a leg support.

5. The method of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein a post-support portion of the first foundational body above the support surface is received into a lower portion of the first post.

6. The method of any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein a lower surface of the first post directly contacts the support surface of the first foundational body.

7. The method of any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the support surface of the first foundational body is substantially planar.

8. The method of any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the first post is attached to the first foundational body.

9. The method of any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the first foundational body is engaged with an underlying material supporting the first foundational body.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein an engagement portion of the first foundational body penetrates into the underlying material.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the engagement portion of the first foundational body comprises a spike.

12. The method of any one of claims 9 to 11 wherein the underlying material comprises soil.

13. The method of any one of claims 9 to 12 wherein the first foundational body comprises a support plate comprising the support surface.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the support plate directly contacts the underlying material.

15. The method of any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein the barrier panel is further attached to a second post supported by a second foundational body.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising positioning a second support portion of the barrier panel on a support surface of the second foundational body.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein: the support surface of the first foundational body is at a first elevation; and the support surface of the second foundational body is at a second elevation above the first elevation.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein an angle of elevation gain from the first support surface to the second support surface is at least about 4°, 19. The method of any one of claims 15 to 18 wherein: the barrier panel comprises a first at least one post attachment body attaching the barrier panel to the first post at a first lateral side of the barrier panel; the barrier panel comprises a second at least one post attachment body attaching the barrier panel to the second post at a second lateral side of the barrier panel opposite the first lateral side of the barrier panel; each post attachment body of the first at least one post attachment body is laterally opposite a corresponding post attachment body of the second at least one post attachment body; and each post attachment body of the first at least one post attachment body has a respective height on the barrier panel that corresponds to a respective height on the barrier panel of the corresponding post attachment body of the second at least one post attachment body but that differs by more than a height of the post attachment body of the first at least one post attachment body and by more than a height of the corresponding post attachment body of the second at least one post attachment body.

20. The method of any one of claims 1 to 18 wherein the barrier panel is rotatable about the first post.

21. The method of any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein the barrier panel is rotatable about the first post, the method further comprising latching the barrier panel to a second post.

22. Akit comprising: a first foundational body comprising a support surface; a first post supportable by the first foundational body; and a barrier panel having a first lateral side, a second lateral side opposite the first lateral side, a top side between the first and second lateral sides, and a bottom side between the first and second lateral sides and opposite the top side, the barrier panel attachable to at least the first post at the first lateral side of the barrier panel and comprising a first support portion; wherein when the first foundational body supports the first post, and when the barrier panel is attached to the first post at the first lateral side of the barrier panel, the first support portion of the barrier panel: is positionable to contact the support surface of the first foundational body to support the barrier panel; and is indirectly engaged with the first post.

23. The kit of claim 22 wherein the barrier panel comprises a first at least one post attachment body on the first lateral side of the barrier panel and configured to attach the barrier panel to the first post at the first lateral side of the barrier panel.

24. The kit of claim 23 wherein each post attachment body of the first at least one post attachment body comprises a receptacle sized to receive a respective at least a portion of the first post to attach the barrier panel to the first post at the first lateral side of the barrier panel.

25. The kit of any one of claims 22 to 24 wherein the first support portion of the barrier panel extends away from the barrier panel in a direction that is along the first post when the barrier panel is attached to the first post.

26. Thekit of any one of claims 22 to 25 wherein: the barrier panel comprises a bottom laterally extending member on the bottom side of the barrier panel; and the first support portion of the barrier panel extends in a direction away from the top side of the barrier panel and away from the bottom laterally extending member of the barrier panel.

27. Thekit of any one of claims 22 to 26 wherein the first support portion of the barrier panel comprises a leg support.

28. Thekit of any one of claims 22 to 27 wherein: the first foundational body comprises a post-support portion on a top side of the support surface; and the first post is coupleable to the post-support portion of the first foundational body to support the first post on the first foundational body.

29. The kit of claim 28 wherein the first post comprises a retaining portion sized to receive at least a portion of the post-support portion of the first foundational body to support the first post on the first foundational body.

30. The kit of any one of claims 22 to 29 wherein the first post comprises an end surface that directly contacts the support surface of the first foundational body when the first foundational body supports the first post.

31. Thekit of any one of claims 22 to 30 wherein the support surface of the first foundational body is substantially planar.

32. Thekit of any one of claims 22 to 31 wherein the first post is attachable to the first foundational body when the first foundational body supports the first post.

33. The kit of any one of claims 22 to 32 wherein the first foundational body comprises an engagement portion operable to penetrate into an underlying material to support the first foundational body on the underlying material.

34. Thekit of claim 33 wherein the engagement portion of the first foundational body comprises a spike.

35. Thekit of claim 33 or 34 wherein the first foundational body comprises a support plate comprising the support surface.

36. The kit of claim 35 wherein the support plate is positioned to contact the underlying material directly when the engagement portion of the first foundational body penetrates into the underlying material.

37. Thekit of any one of claims 22 to 36 further comprising: a second foundational body comprising a support surface; and a second post supportable by the second foundational body; wherein the barrier panel is further attachable to the second post at the second lateral side of the barrier panel.

38. The kit of claim 37 wherein the barrier panel further comprises a second support portion, and wherein when the second foundational body supports the second post, and when the barrier panel is attached to the second post at the second lateral side of the barrier panel, the second support portion of the barrier panel: is positionable to contact the support surface of the second foundational body to support the barrier panel; and is indirectly engaged with the second post.

39. Thekit of claim 38 wherein when the first foundational body supports the first post, when the second foundational body supports the second post, when the support surface of the first foundational body is at a first elevation, and when the support surface of the second foundational body is at a second elevation above the first elevation: the second support surface of the barrier panel is positionable to contact the support surface of the second foundational body to support the barrier panel; the barrier panel is attachable to the first post at the first lateral side of the barrier panel; and the barrier panel is attachable to the second post at the second lateral side of the barrier panel.

40. The kit of claim 38 wherein when the first foundational body supports the first post, when the second foundational body supports the second post, when the support surface of the first foundational body is at a first elevation, when the support surface of the second foundational body is at a second elevation above the first elevation, and when an angle of elevation gain from the first support surface to the second support surface is at least about 4°: the second support surface of the barrier panel is positionable to contact the support surface of the second foundational body to support the barrier panel; the barrier panel is attachable to the first post at the first lateral side of the barrier panel; and the barrier panel is attachable to the second post at the second lateral side of the barrier panel.

41. Thekit of any one of claims 37 to 40, when directly or indirectly dependent from claim 23. wherein: the barrier panel further comprises a second at least one post attachment body on the second lateral side of the barrier panel and configured to attach the barrier panel to the second post at the second lateral side of the barrier panel; each post attachment body of the first at least one post attachment body is laterally opposite a corresponding post attachment body of the second at least one post attachment body; and each post attachment body of the first at least one post attachment body has a respective height on the barrier panel that corresponds to a respective height on the barrier panel of the corresponding post attachment body of the second at least one post attachment body but that differs by more than a height of the post attachment body of the first at least one post attachment body and by more than a height of the corresponding post attachment body of the second at least one post attachment body.

42. Thekit of any one of claims 22 to 40 wherein the barrier panel is rotatable about the first post when the barrier panel is attached to the first post.

43. The kit of any one of claims 22 to 36 wherein the barrier panel is rotatable about the first post when the barrier panel is attached to the first post, the kit further comprising: a second post; a latch; and a latch retainer; the latch and the latch retainer operable to latch the barrier panel to the second post. 44, An assembly comprising the kit of any one of claims 22 to 43 wherein: the first foundational body supports the first post; the barrier panel is attached to the first post at the first lateral side of the barrier panel; the first support portion of the barrier panel contacts the support surface of the first foundational body to support the barrier panel; and the first support portion of the barrier panel is indirectly engaged with the first post.

45. The assembly of claim 44, when directly or indirectly dependent from claim 33, wherein the engagement portion of the first foundational body penetrates into and engages the underlying material to support the first foundational body on the underlying material.

46. The assembly of claim 45 wherein the underlying material comprises soil.

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