Panel system, method, and kit

Abstract

A panel system and kit. The panel system includes support posts and an expandable panel assembly. The expandable panel assembly may include a plurality of scissor assemblies. The support posts may be installed into a ground surface at a desires spacing. The expandable panel assembly may be attached to one support post and then expanded to the second support post, thereby extending between the posts. An upper and lower stability bar may be configured with the upper and lower ends of the expandable panel assembly. The panel system may be provided as a kit that may be easily installed without skilled labor or special tools.

Description

Docket No.: 103874-000014WQPTPANEL SYSTEM, METHOD, AND KITCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 19 / 037,594 filed January 27, 2025, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to panels and fences, including a panel and fence system and kit, and methods of its implementation.BACKGROUND

[0003] Fences, panels, and other types of barrier assemblies are used throughout the world to protect and / or designate physical boundaries and to provide security therefor, e.g., at property lines, at front entrances to properties, at indoor locations, etc.

[0004] However, many of these systems are difficult to install, oftentimes requiring skilled workers and special tools.

[0005] Accordingly, there is a need for an easy to install panel system and kit.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

[0007] FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show aspects of a panel system according to exemplary embodiments hereof;

[0008] FIG. 4 shows aspects of a scissor assembly according to exemplary embodiments hereof;

[0009] FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 show aspects of a panel assembly according to exemplary embodiments hereof;

[0010] FIG. 8 shows aspects of a panel assembly connection according to exemplary embodiments hereof;

[0011] FIG. 9 shows aspects of a panel system according to exemplary embodiments hereof;

[0012] FIG. 10 shows aspects of a stability bar according to exemplary embodiments hereof;

[0013] FIG. 11 shows aspects of a panel system according to exemplary embodiments hereof;4913-3351-4634 1103874-000014WQPT 1Docket No.: 103874-000014WQPT

[0014] FIGS. 12 and 13 shows aspects of a panel system according to exemplary embodiments hereof;

[0015] FIG. 14 shows aspects of a panel system according to exemplary embodiments hereof;

[0016] FIG. 15 shows aspects of a panel system according to exemplary embodiments hereof; and

[0017] FIG. 16 shows a bracket according to exemplary embodiments hereof.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] In general, and according to exemplary embodiments hereof, a panel system, method, and kit is provided. In some embodiments, the panel system includes support posts, expandable panels, and other associated hardware to enable the easy implementation and installation of the panel system.

[0019] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a panel system 10, FIG. 2 shows a front view of the panel system 10, and FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the same. The panel assembly 200 in FIG. 3 also is shown in a semi-expanded configuration.

[0020] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, the panel system 10 (also referred to herein as simply the system 10) generally includes two (or more) support posts 100, and expandable panel assembly 200, and at least one stability bars 300. In general, the support posts 100 are positioned generally vertically with the bottom end of each post 100 anchored into the ground or other surface (e.g., a floor). Each two support posts 100 are spaced apart appropriately to receive the expandable panel assembly 200 and the stability bar(s) 300 therebetween. When assembled as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the panel system 10 forms a customized panel or fence as described herein. The system 10 also may include other elements and components as necessary to fulfill its functionalities.

[0021] In some embodiments, as described herein, the system 10 may be provided as a kit 12 that may be easily implemented at an installation site as described herein. Each kit 12 will preferably include one or more support posts 100, one or more expandable panel assemblies 200, one or more stability bars 300, and any other components and / or elements necessary to implement the panel system 10. In some embodiments, the expandable panel assembly 200 may be provided in a fully (or at least partially) retracted configuration. In this way, the kit 12 may be reduced in size for shipping. In some instances, where only a portion of the assembly’s elements are needed (e.g., if the support posts 100 already exist on-site), the kit 12 may only include those elements that may be required (e.g., the panel assembly and the stability bars 300). Tools required to implement the kit 12 also may be provided e.g., disposable wrenches,4913-3351-4634 1103874-000014WQPT 2Docket No.: 103874-000014WQPTscrew drivers, etc.). The kit elements 100, 200, 300, etc. may be provided to the user together in a single package (e.g., a box), and / or in separate and / or bundled packages. Each kit 12 also may include instructions that are provided with the kit and / or that may be obtained by the user elsewhere, e.g., online. The instructions may include any type of instructions including written instructions (e.g., hardcopy, digital copy, etc.), videos, animations, graphics of any type(s), photographs, live instructions e.g., training, workshops, etc.), other types of instructions, and / or any combinations thereof.

[0022] For the purposes of this specification, the system 10 will be referred to primarily as a panel system 10, however, it is understood that the panel system 10 also may be referred to as a fence system, a partition system, a barrier system, a wall system, a gate system, and / or other types of similar systems. In addition, while the specification may describe the system 10 primarily as being implemented onto a ground surface, it is understood that the system 10 may be implemented into any surface, e.g., an indoor floor surface, etc., and that the scope of the system 10 is not limited in any way by the types of surfaces that it may be implemented onto.

[0023] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1, each support post 100 includes a top end 102, a bottom end 104, a left side 106, a right side 108, a front side 110, and a back side 112.As depicted, it may be preferable that the support posts 100 extend upright (e.g., preferably vertically). The support posts 100 may extend generally linearly from their top ends 102 to their bottom ends 104, and / or may include one or more curvatures that may be decorative and / or functional.

[0024] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1, each support post 100 also includes one or more first attachment locations 114 in their left and / or right sides 106, 108 designed to receive attachment mechanisms configured with the expandable panel assembly 200. In this way, the panel assembly 200 may be attached to the support posts 100. This will be described in detail in other sections.

[0025] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1, each support post 100 also may include one or more second attachment locations 116 in their left and / or right sides 106, 108 designed to receive an end of a stability bar 300. In this way, the stability bars 300 may be attached to the support posts 100. This also will be described in detail in other sections.

[0026] FIG. 4 shows a generalized scissor assembly 202 in a semi-extended configuration (upper image) and in an extended configuration (lower image). As shown, the scissor assembly 202 may include a series of pivotably coupled first arms 204 and second arms 206 arranged in a crisscross arrangement. The first and second arms 204, 206 also may be referred to as coupling arms. Each first arm 204 second arm 206 pair may be coupled together at a first pivot4913-3351-4634 1103874-000014WOPT 3Docket No.: 103874-000014WQPTpoint 208 at a midpoint (or thereabouts) of each arm 204, 206 to form a scissor element 210.Two scissor elements 210-1, 210-2 may be coupled together at second pivot points 212 at the corresponding end points of the first and second arms 204, 206 of each associated scissor element 210. As shown, these second pivot points 212 may include a first second pivot point 212-1 (e.g., the upper second pivot points 212 in FIG. 4) and a second second pivot point 212-2 (e.g., the lower second pivot points 212 in FIG. 4). In this configuration, a semi-extended scissor assembly 202 (upper image) may be pulled to the side, e.g, to the right as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 4, to extend into an extended configuration (lower image). As the scissor assembly 202 extends, the first and second arms 204, 204 of each scissor element pivot about the first and second pivot points 208, 212 to enable the extension of the overall scissor assembly 202.

[0027] FIG. 5 shows an angled front view of the panel assembly 200, FIG. 6 shows a straight front view of the panel assembly 200, and FIG. 7 shows a back view of the same.

[0028] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, the panel assembly 200 may include one or more scissor assemblies 202 (e.g., preferably at least two as shown) with each scissor assembly 202 aligned vertically and in a common plane. In some embodiments, the scissor assemblies 202 may be attached to one another by a series of vertical first support bars 214, with each first support bar 214 pivotably connected to corresponding first pivot points 208 of each aligned scissor assembly 202.

[0029] For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the first support bar 214-1 may be pivotably connected to the first pivot point 208 of the first scissor assembly 202-1 and also pivotably connected to the first pivot point 208 of the second scissor assembly 202-2. In this way, the first support bar 214-1 may hold the first and second scissor assemblies 202-1, 202-2 vertically aligned with one another and at a desired spacing at the first pivot point 208. To secure the entirety of the first and second scissor assemblies 202-1, 202-2 aligned and at the desired spacing, each of the other corresponding first pivot points 208 of the first and second scissor assemblies 202-1, 202-2 also may be pivotably connected to one another using a corresponding first support bar 214. As such, the first and second scissor assemblies 202-1, 202-2 may be linked with one another properly aligned and at a desired spacing across the length of the assemblies 202-1, 202-2 thereby enabling the panel assembly 200 to be expanded as a single unit during its deployment.

[0030] In addition, in some embodiments, corresponding second pivot points 212 of the first and second scissor assemblies 202-1, 202-2 also may be pivotably coupled (e.g., linked) to provide additional support and linkage between the assemblies 202. For example, the first4913-3351-4634 1103874-000014WQPT 4Docket No.: 103874-000014WQPTsecond pivot points 212-1 (e.g., the upper second pivot points 212) on the first and second scissor assemblies 202-1, 202-2 may be pivotably connected to one another by a frontside linkage bar 216, and the second second pivot points 212-2 (e.g., the lower second pivot points 212) may be pivotably connected to one another by a backside linkage bar 218. This is best viewed in FIG. T wherein the upper image shows the front side of the panel assembly 200 with the first second pivot points 212-1 e.g., the upper second pivot points 212) of the first and second scissor assemblies 202-1, 202-2 connected to one another using the frontside linkage bar 216 (the connections are circled for clarity), and wherein the lower image shows the back side of the panel assembly 200 with the second second pivot points 212-2 (e.g., the lower second pivot points 212) connected to one another using the backside linkage bar 218 (the connections are circled for clarity).

[0031] Notably, as the first and second scissor assemblies 202-1, 202-2 are expanded, each assembly’s upper and lower second pivot points 212-2 may move towards one another, and as the scissor assemblies 202-1, 202-2 are retracted, the upper and lower second pivot points 212-2 may move away from one another.

[0032] Accordingly, in some embodiments, it is preferable that the frontside linkage bar 216 not be connected to the second second pivot points 212-2 of either of the scissor assemblies 202-1, 202-2, and that the backside linkage bar 218 not be connected to the first second pivot points 212-1 of either of the scissor assemblies 202-1, 202-2. In this way, as the panel assembly 200 is expanded and / or retracted, the first and second second pivot points 212-1, 212-2 may be free to move with respect to one another as the scissor assemblies 202-1, 202-2 expand and / or retract. It is understood that these connections may be reversed.

[0033] Given this arrangement, as the panel assembly 200 is expanded, the frontside linkage bars 216 may move downward and the backside linkage bars 218 may simultaneously and independently move upward. That is, as each scissor assembly 202-1, 202-2 is expanded in unison, each assembly’s upper second pivot point 212-1 may move downward and each assembly’s lower second pivot point 212-2 may move upward, and the frontside and backside linkage bars 216, 218 may move accordingly.

[0034] Also, as the panel assembly 200 is retracted, the frontside linkage bars 216 may move upward and the backside linkage bars 218 may simultaneously and independently move downward. That is, as each scissor assembly 202-1, 202-2 is retracted in unison, each assembly’s upper second pivot point 212-1 may move upward and each assembly’s lower second pivot point 212-2 may move downward, and the frontside and backside linkage bars 216, 218 may move accordingly. As such, the frontside and backside linkage bars 216, 2184913-3351-4634 1103874-000014WQPT 5Docket No.: 103874-000014WQPTprovide pivoting linkage connections to the first and second scissor assemblies 202-1, 202-2 while not obstructing the expansion and / or retraction of the panel assembly 200.

[0035] In some embodiments, the panel assembly 200 may include frontside linkage bars 216 and not backside linkage bars 218, backside linkage bars 218 but not frontside linkage bars 216, both frontside and backside linkage bars 216, 218, and / or any combinations thereof.

[0036] Installation

[0037] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5, the panel assembly 200 may include a far-left attachment bar 220 pivotably connected to the far-left first pivot points 208 of the first and second scissor assemblies 202-1, 202-2. The panel assembly 200 also may include a far-right attachment bar 220 pivotably connected to the far-right first pivot points 208 of the first and second scissor assemblies 202-1, 202-2. The far-left and far-right attachment bars 220 may include support bars 214 as described herein with additional structures and / or functionalities.

[0038] For example, in some embodiments, the far-left and far-right attachment bars 220 may each include one or more attachment mechanisms 222 (e.g., hooks, posts, etc.) designed to secure the attachment bars 220 to corresponding support posts 100. As described above, the support posts 100 may each include attachment location 114 in their left and / or right sides 106, 108 designed to receive the attachment mechanisms 222 on the attachment bars 220. It may be preferable that the attachment mechanisms 222 be quick-connect and / or quick-disconnect mechanisms such as hooks. In this case, the attachment locations 114 may include corresponding slots that may receive and secure the hooks 222. However, it also is contemplated that the attachment mechanisms 222 include fixed attachment mechanisms such as screws or bolts and that the attachment locations 114 include appropriate mechanisms such as screw holes, nuts and bolts, etc.

[0039] FIG. 8 shows a close-up view of the panel assembly’s far-left attachment bar 220 positioned to be installed onto the left support post 100. As shown, each attachment mechanism 222 on the attachment bar 220 is preferably aligned with each corresponding attachment slot 114 on the support post 100 such that the attachment mechanisms 222 may be inserted and connected to each corresponding attachment slot 114 simultaneously (or thereabouts).

[0040] During installation, as shown in step (1) of FIG. 9, each attachment mechanism 222 (e.g., hook) may be attached to each receiving attachment location 114 (e.g., slot) to secure the panel assembly 200 to the left side support post 100. In some embodiments, because the attachment bar 220 may include a support bar 214 configured to attach the panel assembly 200 to a support post 100, the attachment bar 220 may be shorter than the other support bars 2144913-3351-4634 1103874-000014WQPT 6Docket No.: 103874-000014WOPTso that it fits on the side of the support post 100 without extending beyond the tops of the posts 100

[0041] Once connected to the left-side support post 100, the panel assembly 200 may be pulled to the right (as shown in step (2) of FIG. 9) and the far-right attachment bar 220 may be attached to the right-side support post 100 using the far-right attachment bar’s attachment mechanisms 222 and corresponding attachment locations 114 on the post 100.

[0042] Next, at step (3), the upper and lower stability bars 300 may be installed as described below.

[0043] FIG. 10 shows a top view of a stability bar 300, and FIG. 11 shows an angled top view of the stability bar 300 configured with the left and right support posts 100 and the panel assembly 200.

[0044] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the stability bars 300 may include an elongate bar with receiving slots designed to each receive the upper and / or lower ends of the panel assembly’s support bars 214, and the frontside and backside linkage bars 216, 218.For example, in some embodiments, the stability bars 300 may include a set of first slots 302 that pass through the stability bar 300 and that are appropriately spaced to receive the upper and / or lower ends of the panel assembly’s support bars 214 when the panel assembly 200 is expanded and attached between its corresponding left and right support posts 100.

[0045] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the stability bars 300 may include a set of second slots 304 that pass through the stability bar 300 and that are appropriately spaced to receive the upper and / or lower ends of the panel assembly’s frontside and backside linkage bars 216, 218. The second slots 304 may be preferably arranged in sets of side-by-side slots 304 to receive and accommodate the upper ends and / or lower ends of corresponding side-by-side frontside and backside linkage bars 216, 218.

[0046] In some embodiments, the far-left end 306 and the far-right end 308 of the upper and lower stability bars 300 may be attached to the support posts 100 at corresponding second attachment locations 116 on the left and right support posts 100, respectively. In some embodiments, the second attachment locations 116 may include slots in the side of the corresponding support post 100, brackets, and / or other types of attachment mechanisms. For example, FIG. 8 depicts the left end 306 of the stability bar 300 being inserted into an attachment location 116 including a slot in the side of the left support post 100. It is understood that the right side 308 of the stability bar 300 may be attached to the left support post 100 in a similar fashion.4913-3351-4634 1103874-000014WOPT 7Docket No.: 103874-000014WQPT

[0047] In some embodiments, a first stability bar 300 may be attached and configured with the upper side of the panel assembly 200, and a second stability bar 300 may be attached and configured with the lower side of the panel assembly as shown in FIG. 11. Note that the backside linkage bars 218 are obstructed from view by the frontside linkage bars 216 in this drawing.

[0048] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the first slots 302 include a width that is greater than the width of the panel assembly’s support bars 214, and the second slots 304 include a width that is greater than the width of the panel assembly’s frontside and / or backside linkage bars 216, 218. This enables the support bars 214 and linkage bars 216, 218 to be received into the respective first and second slots 302, 304 even if the slots 302, 304 are not exactly aligned with the bars 214, 216, 218, respectively during the installation process of the system 10. This slight misalignment may happen if the distance between the left and right support posts 100 varies slightly from the predetermined distance that the respective panel assembly 200 is designed to expand to.

[0049] In addition, in some embodiments, the wider slots 302, 304 also may enable the first end 306 of the stability bar 300 to be inserted into a second attachment location 116 on a first support post 100 (e.g., the left side support post 100), and then for the bar 300 to be slightly bowed (e.g., up or down to reduce its overall length) so that its second end 308 may be inserted into a second attachment location 116 on the second support post 100 (e.g., the right side support post 100). This bowing of the stability bar 300 may cause the slots 302, 304 to become slightly misaligned with the corresponding bars 214, 216, 218 but with the slots 302, 304 providing additional widths, the slots 302, 304 on the slightly bowed stability bar 300 may receive the corresponding bars 214, 216, 218 even if they are slightly misaligned.

[0050] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 10, the widths of the slots 302, 304 in the middle region of the stability bar 300 may be wider than the slots 302, 304 towards either the first end 306 or the second end 308 of the bar 300.

[0051] In some embodiments, the widths of each sequential slot 302, 304 from the middle region of the stability bar 300 to the far left and / or far right ends 306, 308 of the bar 300 may increase incrementally. For example, the slots 304-1 at or close to the middle of the stability bar 300 may include a width Wl, the next sequential slots 302-1 on either side of the middle slots 304-1 may include a width W2 that is greater than the width Wl, the next sequential slots 304-2 on either side may include a width W3 that is greater than the width W2, the next sequential slots 302-2 on either side may include a width W4 that is greater than the width W3,4913-3351-4634 1103874-000014WQPT 8Docket No.: 103874-000014WQPTand the widths W5 of the far-left and far-right slots 304-3 may be larger than the widths W4.That is: W5 > W4 > W3 > W2 > Wl.

[0052] It is understood that the example described above is for demonstration and that the number of slots 302, 304 on the bar 300 from the first end 306 to the second end 308 may include any number of slots 302, 304 as required by the corresponding panel assembly 200, e.g., as required by the number of support bars 214 and / or linkage bars 216, 218. In general, it may be preferable that there be a one-to-one correspondence between the number of support bars 214 and slots 302, and between the number of linkage bars 216, 218 and slots 304.

[0053] The reason for the above-described incremental increase of the widths is to provide more room within the slots for the bars 214, 216, 218 that are closer to the far-left and / or far-right ends 306, 308 of the stability bar 300 than for the bars 214, 216, 218 arranged towards the middle region of the bar 300. Turning again to FIG. 9 for additional explanation, FIG. 9 depicts a panel assembly 200 secured to a left support pole 100 and being extended to the right. Using the far-right and far-left frontside linkage bars 216-1, 216-2 at the far-right and far-left of the assembly 200, respectively, as an example, as the panel assembly 200 is expanded to the right, the far-right linkage bar 216-1 may move to the right a greater distance and at a greater rate than the far-left frontside linkage bar 216-2 may move. Given this, if the left and right support posts 100 are set at a separation distance that is slightly different than the predetermined distance that the panel assembly 200 is designed to extend to, the bars 214, 216, 218 at or near the far-right of the panel assembly 200 may require more adjustment room within the slots 302, 304 to accommodate this scenario than the bars 214, 216, 218 at or closer to the far-left side (e.g., where the panel assembly 200 is secured to left side support post 100 prior to its expansion).

[0054] In addition, in some embodiments, the stability bar 300 is designed to fit onto the expanded panel assembly 300 regardless of whether the stability bar’s first end 306 is arranged to the left and its second end 308 is arranged to the right (as shown in FIG. 10), or if the first and second ends 306, 308 are arranged in the reverse orientation, that is, with the first end 306 to the right and the second end 308 to the left. Given this, the slots 302, 304 in the stability bar 300 may be dimensioned so that whether the bar 300 is arranged left to right or right to left, the slots 302, 304 to the right may be wider than the slots towards the middle. This scenario also accounts for panel assemblies 200 that may be connected to the right support post 100 first and then expanded to the left. That is, because the slots 302, 304 get wider towards the left and right sides of the bar 300, the slots 302, 304 to the left in this scenario also may include widths wide enough to accommodate the adjustment space needed by the left side bars 214, 216, 218.4913-3351-4634 1103874-000014WQPT 9Docket No.: 103874-000014WOPT

[0055] In some embodiments, the width of the support bars 214 and / or the frontside or backside linkage bars 216, 218 is about 0.1” to about 4”, and preferably about 0.25” to about 3”, and more preferably about 0.5” to about 2.5”, and as such, the corresponding slots 302, 304 may preferably include widths (e.g., Wl, W2, W3, W4, W5) greater than or equal to these widths. For example, in some embodiments, the widths of the slots 302, 304 may be about equal to the width of the corresponding bars 214, 216, 218, and preferably about 1.5 times the width of the corresponding bars 214, 216, 218, and more preferably about 2 times the width of the corresponding bars 214, 216, 218, and more preferably about 3 times the width of the corresponding bars 214, 216, 218, and more preferably about 4 times the width of the corresponding bars 214, 216, 218, and more preferably about 5 times the width of the corresponding bars 214, 216, 218, and more preferably about 6 times the width of the corresponding bars 214, 216, 218.

[0056] In some embodiments, the widths of the slots 302, 304 may be dimensioned as follows. In some embodiments, the width W1 is about 0.1” to about 4”, and preferably about 0.5” to about 3”, the width W2 is about 0.1” to about 4.5”, and preferably about 0.5” to about 3.5”, the width W3 is about 0.1” to about 5”, and preferably about 0.5” to about 4”, the width W4 is about 0.1” to about 5.5”, and preferably about 0.5" to about 4.5", and the width W5 is about 0.1” to about 6”, and preferably about 0.5” to about 5”.

[0057] In some embodiments, where the width of the bars 214, 216, 218 may be increased due to an increased size of the overall assembly and / or due to the overall assembly’s durability rating, the widths of the slots 302, 304 may be increased. For example, the widths Wl, W2, W3, W4, W5 may be increased to at least 12”, and preferably to at least 10”, and more preferably to at least 8”.

[0058] FIG. 12 shows the panel system 10 implemented on an inclined ground surface and FIG. 13 shows the panel assembly 200 of FIG. 12 about halfway extended during installation of the same.

[0059] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the panel system 10 may be implemented on an inclined ground surface (e.g., a pitch) wherein the architecture of the panel assembly 200 enables the assembly 200 to expand at the desired pitch angle. Comparing the panel assembly 200 of FIG. 5 (implemented on a horizontal ground surface) to the panel assembly 200 of FIG. 12 (implemented on an inclined surface), it is seen that the independent movement of the frontside linkage bars 216 and the backside linkage bars 218 separate from one another enables the panel assembly 200 to be implemented at any inclined angle. That is, when the panel assembly 200 is expanded horizontally (FIG. 5), the frontside and backside4913-3351-4634 1103874-000014WQPT 10Docket No.: 103874-000014WQPTlinkage bars 216, 218 remain generally aligned front to back, and when the panel assembly 200 is expanded at an incline (FIG. 12), the frontside and backside linkage bars 216, 218 move away from one another (along the path of the panel assembly 200) thereby enabling the panel assembly 200 to pivot upward at the desired angle. In addition, as the frontside and backside linkage bars 216, 218 move away from one another, the linkage bars 216, 218 are still pivotably connected to their respective pivot arms 204, 206 at their respective pivot locations 212 thereby continuing to provide linkage support to the respective portions of the panel assembly 200.

[0060] An example of this is shown in FIG. 13 wherein when the panel assembly 200 is expanded to the right at an incline, the first backside linkage bar 218-1 to the far-left may move away (e.g., upward and to the right) from the first far-left frontside linkage bar 216-1. In this arrangement, the first support bar 214-1 to the far-left also may move upward and to the right with the first backside linkage bar 218-1. In addition, the second backside linkage bar 218-2 and the second support bar 214-2 may move upward, to the right and away from the second frontside linkage bar 216-2. The other respective backside linkage bars 218 and support bars 214 also may move similarly. Then, when the panel assembly 200 is fully extended (e.g., from the arrangement of FIG. 13 to the arrangement of FIG. 12), the frontside linkage bars 216 may move away from the support bars 214 and the respective support bars 214 may move away from the respective backside linkage bars 218. This independent movement of the support bars 214, the frontside linkage bars 216, and the backside linkage bars 218 with respect to one another enables the panel assembly 200 to be expanded to the left and at an upward incline.

[0061] It is understood that the example provided above is meant for demonstration and that the described architecture and configuration of the support bars 214, the frontside linkage bars 216 and the backside linkage bars 218 may enable the bars 214, 216, 218 to move independently from one another in other sequences as the panel assembly 200 is expanded from the left to the right. It also is understood that the panel assembly 200 may expand similarly from right to left.

[0062] FIG. 14 shows an angled top view of the panel system 10 of FIG. 12 thereby showing the slots 302, 304 in the upper and lower stability bars 300.

[0063] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 14, the system 10 may include a stability bar 300 designed for panel systems 10 that are intended to be implemented on an inclined ground surface. As mentioned above, when a panel assembly 200 is expanded at an incline, the frontside and backside linkage bars 216, 218 may move away from one another such that the bars 216, 218 may no longer be aligned front to back. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the4913-3351-4634 1103874-000014WQPT 11Docket No.: 103874-000014WQPTslots 304 in the stability bar 300 provided for the frontside and backside linkage bars 216, 218 may be offset horizontally from one another along the length of the stability bar 300.

[0064] In some embodiments, the characteristics of the slots 302, 304 in these embodiments may include the characteristics of the slots 302, 304 of FIGS. 10-11, e.g., in regard to their widths. That is, the widths of the slots 302, 304 may incrementally increase as the slots 302, 304 are positioned closer to the first and / or second sides 306, 308 of the bar 300 from the center. In some embodiments, the difference may be that the slots 304 for the frontside and backside linkage bars 216, 218 may be offset as described above.

[0065] FIG. 15 shows a front view of a panel system 10 including second attachment locations 116 each comprising a connection bracket 118. An isolated perspective view of the bracket 118 is shown in FIG. 16.

[0066] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 16, the connection bracket 118 includes a mount 120 that may be attached to the side of a support post 100, e.g. , at the attachment location 116 (e.g., using screws, bolts, welding, etc.). The bracket 118 also may include a bar receiving portion 122 that may extend away from the mount 120 (e.g., perpendicularly) including a bar receiving slot 124 designed to receive an end 306, 308 of the stability bar 300 and to secure it thereto. Notably, the receiving slot 124 includes a length that enables the ends 306, 308 of the stability bar 300, once inserted into the slot 124, to terminate at any location along the slot 124.In this way, the slot 124 may accommodate the stability bar 300 even when the left and right support posts 100 are not installed at the exact predetermined distance as described above.

[0067] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 15, the length of the linkage bars 216, 218, e.g., the length of the frontside linkage bars 216 as shown, may be chosen such that the upper and / or lower ends of the linkage bars 216, 218 terminate at (or near) the upper and lower stability bars 300 as depicted. In this case, the stability bar 300 may not include slots 304 to accommodate the linkage bars 216, 218. In some embodiments, however, the far lower ends of the linkage bars 216, 218 may rest upon the upper surface of the lower stability bar 300 such that the stability bar 300 provides vertical support (e.g., a lower stop) to the linkage bars 216, 218

[0068] It is understood that any details and / or aspects of any embodiments of the panel system 10 described herein may be combined with any details and / or aspects of any other embodiments of the panel system 10 in any way to form additional embodiment(s) of the panel system 10 all of which are within the scope of the panel system 10.

[0069] Where a process is described herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the process may operate without any user intervention. In another embodiment, the process4913-3351-4634 1103874-000014WQPT 12Docket No.: 103874-000014WQPTincludes some human intervention (e.g., a step is performed by or with the assistance of a human).

[0070] As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “at least some” means “one or more,” and includes the case of only one. Thus, e.g., the phrase “at least some ABCs” means “one or more ABCs” and includes the case of only one ABC.

[0071] As used herein, including in the claims, term “at least one” should be understood as meaning “one or more”, and therefore includes both embodiments that include one or multiple components. Furthermore, dependent claims that refer to independent claims that describe features with “at least one” have the same meaning, both when the feature is referred to as “the” and “the at least one”.

[0072] As used in this description, the term “portion” means some or all. So, for example, “A portion of X” may include some of “X” or all of “X”. In the context of a conversation, the term “portion” means some or all of the conversation.

[0073] As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “using” means “using at least,” and is not exclusive. Thus, e.g., the phrase “using X” means “using at least X.” Unless specifically stated by use of the word “only”, the phrase “using X” does not mean “using only X.”

[0074] As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “based on” means “based in part on” or “based, at least in part, on,” and is not exclusive. Thus, e.g., the phrase “based on factor X” means “based in part on factor X” or “based, at least in part, on factor X.” Unless specifically stated by use of the word “only”, the phrase “based on X” does not mean “based only on X.”

[0075] In general, as used herein, including in the claims, unless the word “only” is specifically used in a phrase, it should not be read into that phrase.

[0076] As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “distinct” means “at least partially distinct.” Unless specifically stated, distinct does not mean fully distinct. Thus, e.g., the phrase, “X is distinct from Y” means that “X is at least partially distinct from Y,” and does not mean that “X is fully distinct from Y” Thus, as used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “X is distinct from Y” means that X differs from Y in at least some way.

[0077] It should be appreciated that the words “first,” “second,” and so on, in the description and claims, are used to distinguish or identify, and not to show a serial or numerical limitation. Similarly, letter labels (e.g., “(A)”, “(B)”, “(C)”, and so on, or “(a)”, “(b)”, and so on) and / or numbers (e.g., “(i)”, “(ii)”, and so on) are used to assist in readability and to help distinguish and / or identify, and are not intended to be otherwise limiting or to impose or imply any serial or numerical limitations or orderings. Similarly, words such as “particular,” “specific,”4913-3351-4634 1103874-000014WQPT 13Docket No.: 103874-000014WQPT“certain,” and “given,” in the description and claims, if used, are to distinguish or identify, and are not intended to be otherwise limiting.

[0078] As used herein, including in the claims, the terms “multiple” and “plurality” mean “two or more,” and include the case of “two.” Thus, e.g., the phrase “multiple ABCs,” means “two or more ABCs,” and includes “two ABCs.” Similarly, e.g., the phrase “multiple PQRs,” means “two or more PQRs,” and includes “two PQRs.”

[0079] The present invention also covers the exact terms, features, values and ranges, etc. in case these terms, features, values and ranges etc. are used in conjunction with terms such as about, around, generally, substantially, essentially, at least etc. (i.e., "about 3" or “approximately 3” shall also cover exactly 3 or "substantially constant" shall also cover exactly constant).

[0080] As used herein, including in the claims, singular forms of terms are to be construed as also including the plural form and vice versa, unless the context indicates otherwise. Thus, it should be noted that as used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0081] Throughout the description and claims, the terms “comprise”, “including”, “having”, and “contain” and their variations should be understood as meaning “including but not limited to”, and are not intended to exclude other components unless specifically so stated.

[0082] It will be appreciated that variations to the embodiments of the invention can be made while still falling within the scope of the invention. Alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose can replace features disclosed in the specification, unless stated otherwise. Thus, unless stated otherwise, each feature disclosed represents one example of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

[0083] The present invention also covers the exact terms, features, values, and ranges, etc. in case these terms, features, values and ranges etc. are used in conjunction with terms such as about, around, generally, substantially, essentially, at least etc. (i.e., "about 3" shall also cover exactly 3 or "substantially constant" shall also cover exactly constant).

[0084] Use of exemplary language, such as “for instance”, “such as”, “for example” (“e.g.,”) and the like, is merely intended to better illustrate the invention and does not indicate a limitation on the scope of the invention unless specifically so claimed.

[0085] While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various4913-3351-4634 1103874-000014WQPT 14Docket No.: 103874-000014WOPTmodifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.4913-3351-4634 1103874-000014WOPT 15

Claims

Docket No.: 103874-000014WQPTCLAIMS1. A panel system comprising:a first support post and a second support post;an expandable panel assembly including at least two support bars connected to one another by at least two coupling arms, each of the at least two support bars including an upper end and a lower end,a first attachment mechanism coupled to a first at least two support bars and adapted to connect the first at least two support bars to the first support post, and a second attachment mechanism coupled to a second at least two support bars and adapted to connect the second at least two support bars to the second support post;a first stability bar with a first end adapted to be connected to the first support post and a second end adapted to be connected to the second support post, the first stability bar including at least one receiving slot passing through the first stability bar and adapted to receive the upper end or the lower end of the first support bar or of the second support bar.

2. The panel system of claim 1 wherein the at least one receiving slot includes a first at least one receiving slot adapted to receive the upper end or the lower end of the first support bar and a second at least one receiving slot adapted to receive the upper end or the lower end of the second support bar.

3. The panel system of claim 2 further comprising a third at least two support bars pivotably connected to the first and second at least two support bars by the at least two coupling arms, the third at least two support bars positioned between the first at least two support bars and the second at least two support bars.

4. The panel system of claim 3 wherein the first stability bar includes a third at least one receiving slot adapted to receive an upper end or a lower end of the third at least two support bars.

5. The panel system of claim 4 wherein the first at least one receiving slot includes a first slot width, the second at least one receiving slot includes a second slot width, and the third at least one receiving slot includes a third slot width, and wherein the third slot width is less than the first and second slot widths.4913-3351-4634 1103874-000014WQPT 16Docket No.: 103874-000014WQPT6. The panel system of claim 5 wherein the first and second slot widths are at least 1.5 times the third slot width.

7. The panel system of claim 5 wherein the first at least two support bars includes a first bar width, the second at least two support bars includes a second bar width, and the third at least two support bars includes a third bar width, and wherein the first slot width is at least twice the first bar width, the second slot width is at least twice the second bar width, and the third slot width is at least twice the third bar width.

8. The panel system of claim 3 wherein the at least two coupling arms includes a first at least two coupling arms and a second at least two coupling arms pivotably configured with one another about a first pivot point to form a first scissor assembly, a third at least two coupling arms and a fourth at least two coupling arms pivotably configured with one another about a second pivot point to form a second scissor assembly, and a fifth at least two coupling arms and a sixth at least two coupling arms pivotably configured with one another about a third pivot point to form a third scissor assembly, and wherein the first at least two support bars is connected to the first scissor assembly at the first pivot point, the second at least two support bars is connected to the second scissor assembly at the second pivot point, and the third at least two support bars is connected to the third scissor assembly at the third pivot point.

9. The panel system of claim 8 wherein the first scissor assembly is pivotably connected to the third scissor assembly at a fourth pivot point and at a fifth pivot point, and the second scissor assembly is pivotably connected to the third scissor assembly at a sixth pivot point and at a seventh pivot point, the fourth and fifth pivot points distinct from the sixth and seventh pivot points.

10. The panel system of claim 9 further comprising a first linkage bar connected to the fourth pivot point and not connected to the fifth pivot point.

11. The panel system of claim 10 wherein the first stability bar includes a fourth at least one receiving slot adapted to receive an upper end or a lower end of the first linkage bar.4913-3351-4634 1103874-000014WQPT 17Docket No.: 103874-000014WQPT12. The panel system of claim 11 wherein the fourth at least one receiving slot includes a fourth slot width that is greater than or equal to the third slot width and less than or equal to the first slot width.

13. The panel system of claim 9 further comprising a second linkage bar connected to the fifth pivot point and not connected to the fourth pivot point.

14. The panel system of claim 13 wherein the first stability bar includes a fifth at least one receiving slot adapted to receive an upper end or a lower end of the second linkage bar.

15. The panel system of claim 14 wherein the fifth at least one receiving slot includes a fifth slot width that is greater than or equal to the third slot width and less than or equal to the first slot width.

16. The panel system of claim 9 further comprising a third linkage bar connected to the sixth pivot point and not connected to the seventh pivot point.

17. The panel system of claim 16 wherein the first stability bar includes a sixth at least one receiving slot adapted to receive an upper end or a lower end of the third linkage bar.

18. The panel system of claim 17 wherein the sixth at least one receiving slot includes a sixth slot width that is greater than or equal to the third slot width and less than or equal to the first slot width.

19. The panel system of claim 9 further comprising a fourth linkage bar connected to the seventh pivot point and not connected to the sixth pivot point.

20. The panel system of claim 19 wherein the first stability bar includes a seventh at least one receiving slot adapted to receive an upper end or a lower end of the fourth linkage bar, wherein the seventh at least one receiving slot includes a seventh slot width that is greater than or equal to the third slot width and less than or equal to the first slot width.4913-3351-4634 1103874-000014WQPT 18

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