Patent ID: 7635115
Filing Date: 2009-12-22
Classification: E04H

Abstract:
1. A fence rail assembly comprising: a horizontally extending extruded rail having a cross-sectional shape having a generally U-shaped portion extending along a length of the rail, the generally U-shaped portion comprising a pair of spaced apart vertical walls extending along a length of a horizontal upper wall of the rail, the spaced apart vertical walls defining a U-shaped opening for receiving upper ends of a plurality of vertically extending pickets, one of the vertical walls of the rail having a lengthwise extending slot for receiving a plurality of fasteners for attaching the rail to vertical sides of the plurality of pickets, the slot being defined by a pair of opposed side walls and a generally flat base, the base being arranged for abutting engagement with the vertical sides of the pickets, each side wall having a lengthwise extending flange spaced from the base so as to define a respective channel between each flange and the base; and an extruded cover comprising an outer plate extending along a length of the slot for concealing the fasteners and a pair of lengthwise extending legs depending from one surface of the plate, the legs each terminating in an outwardly projecting flange and the legs being oriented on the plate such that pressing of the legs into the slot in the rail will cause the flanges on the legs to pass over the flanges on the side walls and be captured in the channels when the cover is fully engaged in the slot to thereby retain the cover on the rail; wherein the flanges on the side walls are formed with an inwardly tapered surface for causing the legs of the cover to be deflected towards each other as the legs are inserted in the slot, the legs having sufficient elasticity to return to a non-deflected position as the flanges on the legs pass over the flanges on the side walls.