Patent ID: 7475870
Filing Date: 2009-01-13
Classification: E04F

Abstract:
1. A mounting attachment for connecting a picket to a fence rail, wherein the fence rail includes a picket-receiving hole defined in a side wall thereof; and wherein said mounting attachment comprises: a base adapted to be mounted on the side wall of the rail proximate the hole; said base having an upper surface, a lower surface and an inner circumferential wall that is complementary sized and shaped to be tightly received within the hole when the base is mounted on the rail; and wherein said circumferential wall has an interior surface and opposing sides; an aperture defined in the inner circumferential wall, and when the base is mounted on the rail the lower surface thereof abuts an exterior surface of the side wall and the aperture is aligned with the hole; a retaining member mounted on the lower surface of the base; said retaining member comprising a spring adapted to engage an outer surface of the picket received through the aligned aperture and hole and to bias the picket into engagement with the inner circumferential wall; said retaining member having a free end that is movable at least partially across the aperture between a first position where the free end extends a first distance into the aperture and a second position where the free end extends a second distance into the aperture; and wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance; and wherein adjustment of the angle of the outer surface of the picket relative to the side wall of the rail moves the free end of the retaining member one of toward and away from a portion of the interior surface of the circumferential wall; and wherein the interior surface of the circumferential wall includes a ridge on each of the opposing sides; said ridges being aligned with each other and being disposed a spaced distance inwardly from one of the ends.