Modular railing systems with cellular PVC panels
The present invention relates to the field of railing and fencing systems. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to modular railing/fencing systems comprising extruded aluminum railings with cellular polyvinyl chloride (PVC) panel inserts having an impact resistance of up to about 350 lb/ft 2 , which combined provide a system capable of withstanding significant external forces. Particular embodiments of the invention include modular fencing systems comprising: a) one or more upright vertical post members; b) upper and lower horizontal guardrails with a longitudinal panel-receiving channel; c) one or more cellular polyvinyl chloride (PVC) panel inserts operably configured for insertion in the panel-receiving channels of the upper and lower guardrails; d) wherein, upon installation, the system is capable of receiving a load normal to the panel ranging from about 180 to about 360 lb/ft 2 without failure. Cellular PVC panels for use in such systems are also included.
1. A modular fencing system comprising:
one or more upright vertical post members;
hollow bodied upper and lower horizontal guardrails with a longitudinal panel-receiving channel having an opening with a width sized for receiving an edge of a panel insert;
one or more panel inserts comprising:
a solid sheet of cellular polyvinyl chloride (PVC) with four panel edges, a front surface, and a back surface;
the four panel edges comprising planar upper and lower edges the same width or smaller than the width of the panel-receiving channels;
the front surface or the back surface having partial or complete voids in or through the panel insert, which collectively account for less than about 50% of the front surface or the back surface measured by surface area;
a planar border disposed around a perimeter of each of the front surface and the back surface, wherein in an area between one of the panel edges and one of the voids the planar border is disposed in a single plane; and
wherein, upon installation in the guardrails and upon receiving a load normal to a panel insert at its center sufficient to displace the panel 1 inch or greater, the panel exhibits recovery from displacement of 95% or higher.
2. The modular fencing system of claim 1 , wherein the posts and upper and lower guardrails comprise aluminum, wood, plastic, vinyl, composites, vinyl with aluminum reinforcement, cellular PVC, or combinations thereof.
3. The modular fencing system of claim 1 , wherein the posts and upper and lower guardrails comprise aluminum having a minimum tensile strength of about 38,000 psi.
4. The modular fencing system of claim 3 , wherein the panel inserts comprise cellular PVC with a tensile strength of about 2,000 to 5,000 psi.
5. The modular fencing system of claim 1 , wherein the panel inserts comprise cellular PVC with a tensile strength of about 2,000 to 5,000 psi.
6. The modular fencing system of claim 1 , further comprising a tempered glass panel insert in addition to the cellular PVC panel insert, which together comprise the same width or smaller than the width of the panel-receiving channels of the guardrails.
7. The modular fencing system of claim 1 comprising two or more panels of the same size.
8. The modular fencing system of claim 7 , wherein all panels have the same length which is chosen from 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, or 48 inches.
9. The modular fencing system of claim 1 , wherein the voids in the panel inserts are cutouts.
10. The modular fencing system of claim 1 , wherein the panel insert is a Wave Panel, constructed of approximately nine rows and three columns of approximately 1-½ inch wide 12-inch radiused cutouts.
11. The modular fencing system of claim 1 , wherein the panel insert is a Waterfall Panel, constructed of approximately three rows and seven columns of approximately 4-inch wide by 9- 13/16 th inch high 2-inch radiused arched cutouts.
12. The modular fencing system of claim 1 , wherein the panel insert is a Squares Panel, constructed of approximately six rows of seven 3-⅞ th inch high by 3- 11/16 th inch wide “square” cutouts and two vertical cutouts measuring 15/16 th inches wide by 32 inches high.
13. The modular fencing system of claim 1 , wherein the panel insert is an Arrow Panel, constructed of approximately four rectangular quadrants containing 1-½-inch wide angled cutouts.
14. The modular fencing system of claim 1 , wherein the panel insert is a Stained Glass Panel, constructed of approximately twelve columns of about four irregular shaped cutouts.
15. The modular fencing system of claim 1 , wherein the panel insert is a Chippendale Panel, constructed of approximately four triangular quadrants containing 2-inch wide cutouts.
16. The modular fencing system of claim 1 , wherein the planar border is at least a 1-inch wide border of cellular PVC around the perimeter of the panel insert.
17. The modular fencing system of claim 1 , wherein the panel insert comprises a thickness of 5/16 inch to 1 inch.