Patent ID: 9476220
Filing Date: 2016-10-25
CPC Classification: E04H,Y10T

Claim Text:
1. A method for strengthening a vinyl fence, comprising: providing a first post and a second post distanced from each other, each post having predetermined dimensions, each post defining a hollow interior having a first shape, the first post having a first top side opening and a first bottom side opening, the second post having a second top side opening and a second bottom side opening, the first top side opening and the second top side opening longitudinally facing each other, the first bottom side opening and the second bottom side opening longitudinally facing each other; providing a plurality of slats disposed side by side to each other and collectively provided between the first post and the second post, each slat comprising a top portion and a bottom portion; collectively engaging the top portions of the plurality of slats using a hollow top railing, wherein the hollow top railing comprises a first end and an opposite second end; inserting the first end of the hollow top railing into the first top side opening of the first post and disposing the first end of the hollow top railing within the hollow interior of the first post; inserting the second end of the hollow top railing into the second top side opening of the second post and disposing the second end of the hollow top railing within the hollow interior of the second post; extending a first U-shaped strengthening member longitudinally along the hollow top railing, wherein the first U-shaped strengthening member comprises a first end and a second end; inserting the first end of the first U-shaped strengthening member into the first top side opening of the first post and disposing the first end of the first U-shaped strengthening member within the hollow interior of the first post; inserting the second end of the first U-shaped strengthening member into the second top side opening of the second post and disposing the second end of the first U-shaped strengthening member within the hollow interior of the second post; collectively engaging the bottom portions of the plurality of slats using a hollow bottom railing, wherein the hollow bottom railing comprises a first end and a second end; inserting the first end of the hollow bottom railing into the first bottom side opening of the first post and disposing the first end of the hollow bottom railing within the hollow interior of the first post; inserting the second end of the hollow bottom railing into the second bottom side opening of the second post and disposing the second end of the hollow bottom railing within the hollow interior of the second post; extending a second U-shaped strengthening member longitudinally along the hollow bottom railing, wherein the second U-shaped strengthening member comprises a first end and a second end; inserting the first end of the second U-shaped strengthening member into the first bottom side opening of the first post and disposing the first end of the second U-shaped strengthening member within the hollow interior of the first post; inserting the second end of the second U-shaped strengthening member into the second bottom side opening of the second post and disposing the second end of the second U-shaped strengthening member within the hollow interior of the second post; disposing a post member within the hollow interior of the first post, wherein the post member has a second shape complementary to the first shape of the hollow interior, wherein the post member has a central hole; after the first end of the top railing and the first end of the first U-shaped strengthening member are inserted into the first top side opening of the first post, positioning the post member on top of the top railing; extending a screw through the top railing and the first U-shaped strengthening member to fix the top railing and the first U-shaped strengthening member with one another; and extending a rod from the top to the bottom of the first post through the center hole of the post member.