Rail fence

A fence construction which utilizes a plurality of constituent rail and post members configured to facilitate assembly and erection of a fence. The rail and post members are formed from a plastic material to provide a virtually maintenance free fence structure which is relatively imperishable.

FIELD OF INVENTION 
The present invention relates to fences and, more particularly, to a rail 
type fence having assembly means to facilitate erection of the fence and 
for the provision of a rail fence which is relatively imperishable. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The fences exemplified in the prior art typically utilize wood posts and 
rails, whose exterior surfaces are generally stained or painted in an 
effort to retard decay or rotting. 
Unfortunately, even with frequent staining or painting, wood type fences 
have the tendency of developing splits which expose the interior surfaces 
of the wood and, thereby, exacerbates rotting. 
Decay of such wood fences is most prevalent at and about the portion of the 
post members which are burried in the earth to provided the vertical 
support for the fence. 
The obvious disadvantage of the prior art fences, in addition to those 
noted above, are that the wood posts and rails may develop surface 
splinters which, in turn, can cause injuries; and that periodic expensive 
maintenance and replacement of rotted members are required. It is to be 
noted that another disadvantage exists with the prior art post and rail 
wood fences, that being that internal rot may have weakened a post or rail 
such that a potential exists for serious injury with such member suddenly 
breaking under the weight of an unsuspecting person who may have sat or 
rested on said (internally) rotted fence member. 
In contrast to the prior art, the present invention provides a post, rail 
and accessory members for a fence structure which are virtually 
imperishable, are of relative light weight, require little or no 
maintenance, facilitates erection of the fence structure and 
substantially, if not entirely, eliminates the risk of injury which, as 
noted above, may be caused by splintering and/or sudden breaking of (wood) 
post and rail members. The accessory members may comprise coupling joints, 
post caps, grass prevention rings and post mounting spikes, which will be 
described in greater detail hereafter. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
A post and rail fence structure having particular utility, for example, 
about dwellings etc. situated in a region where the climatic and/or soil 
and/or insect conditions may tend to cause damage to the fence structure, 
comprising: 
a post member (21,58) formed from a plastic or resin or other like material 
to have a predetermined rigidity, tactility and tensile strength, said 
post member being generally square or round shaped with a hollow interior 
elongate core (25,61), said post member having a predetermined exterior 
surface characteristic(s). for example, a simulated stained wood finish 
with indentations, formed in the plastic/resin material to provide a 
substantially permanent and generally imperishable surface, said post 
member having one or more rail mounting slots; and 
a rail member (22,52) formed from a plastic or resin or other like material 
to have a predetermined rigidity, tactility and tensile strength, said 
rail member having an intermediate portion (22,52) and two end mounting 
beam portions (49,53,66) each configured for being received within a 
respective rail mounting slot of two spaced apart post members, said 
intermediate portion having a round or a square or a semi-round or a split 
rail configuration, said rail member having a predetermined exterior 
surface characteristic(s), for example, a simulated stained wood finish 
with indentations, formed in the plastic/resin material to provide a 
substantially permanent and generally imperishable surface, said rail 
member having a substantially hollow interior to provide a relatively 
light weight rail member. 
Another feature of the invention comprises a plurality of accessory members 
formed of and having surface characteristics similar to the post and rail 
members of the fence structure. For example, a cap member (23) and a grass 
prevention ring (40,80) and a post mounting spike (39) and various types 
of coupling/joining members (71, 49, 53, 66) may be provided to facilitate 
erection of the fence structure in accordance with the present invention. 
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and 
improved fence device or structure. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide a plurality of fence 
members which are substantially imperishable. 
A further object of the present invention is to provide a fence 
device/structure which substantially reduces the risk of injury from 
splinters and breaking post and rail members. 
A further object of the present invention is to provide a fence structure 
which is generally impervious to water. 
A further object of the present invention is to provide a fence structure 
which is substantially maintenance free. 
A further object of the present invention is to provide a fence structure 
which is not subject to rot, decay or insect damage. 
A further object of the present invention is to provide a fence structure 
that is readily erectable. 
A further object of the present invention is to provide a fence structure 
which obviates replacement of rotted, decayed or insect damage members 
thereby reducing the long term costs of the fence.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Referring to the drawings, particularly FIGS. 1-6, there is shown a post 
and rail fence 20 and accessory members constructed in accordance with the 
invention to be relatively imperishable, virtually maintenance free, 
easily assembled or erected and to provide a substantially safer fence 20 
structure. 
The fence 20 structure basically comprises vertically mountable post 
member(s) 21 and a rail member(s) 22. The post member 21 may be 
supported-mounted in vertical disposition by means of a post mounting 
spike 24. The constituent component parts or members of the fence 20 
structure are formed from a plastic, resin, phenolic or other similar 
material which is generally imperishable and not subject to climate or 
insect related deterioration. 
The post member 21 has a generally elongate square beam configuration with 
an opening at its top end extending into a hollow interior space 25. One 
or more square peg receiving holes 26 and 27 are provided for receiving a 
mating peg 28 extending from an end of a respective rail member 22. The 
opposite side wall 29 has aligned peg receiving holes 30 and 31 (shown in 
phantom outline in FIG. 2) for receiving a respective rail peg 28. In this 
manner, a two rail fence may be extended between successive pairs of 
spaced apart post members 21. The post member 21 has walls of a 
predetermined thickness, for example, approximately one-fourth of an inch, 
to provide a desired rigidity while being light weight relative to the 
prior art wood post members. The other end of post member 21 has a 
downwardly projecting round screw-like member 32. Screw member 32 may be 
integrally formed with post member 21 or affixed thereto as a separate 
accessory part in similar manner as peg member 28, which will be described 
in more detail hereafter. The exterior of post member 21 has a surface 33, 
for example, integrally formed with or baked on or embedded in or 
moulded-in the (plastic) post material to simulate, for example, a wood 
grain finish. The moulded-in surface may include indentations 34 and a 
stained or painted appearance, for example, having an antique grey or 
light brown or dark brown color, to simulate an aged wood lock. 
A cap member 23 formed of similar (plastic) material and having a, for 
example, curved convex upper surface 35 with a moulded-in surface look or 
appearance similar to that of the post member 21. The bottom surface (not 
shown) of cap member 23 is contoured to form a substantially square shaped 
downwardly projecting wall or plug member 36. Plug member 36 is 
dimensioned to snugly fit or force fitted within opening 25 with ledge 
portions 37 extending over and abutting on the wall edge 38 of post member 
21. 
Post mounting spike 24 is formed of, for example, a plastic or phenolic 
material and comprises a downwardly projecting spike 39, grass prevention 
ring or disc 40, and an upwardly projecting nut like member 41. Spike 39 
may be of triangular shape, cone shape or spear shape and is dimensioned 
for being placed or pounded into the soil so as to provide a stable 
foundation for a respective post member 21. Spike 39 may include a 
plurality of upwardly projecting bobs 42 to more securely retain post 
mounting spike 24 in the soil/earth. Disc 40 is dimensioned to serve the 
dual function of a footing or tilt prevention circular ledge about nut 
member 41 and a respective mounted post member 21, and also as a grass 
prevention plate or cover about a predetermined diameter of the respective 
post member 21. Thus, the post mounting spike 24 is placed in a prepared 
hole or pounded into the earth such that the bottom surface 43 rests or 
abuts on the earth (ground surface). The nut shaped member 41 has an 
interior space 44 dimensioned to receive the bolt end 32 of a post member 
21. The interior walls 45 of nut member 41 have threads formed to matingly 
receive the threads 46 about bolt or screw end 32. 
Accordingly, with a post mounting spike 24 securely placed into the earth 
as noted above, a respective post member 21 may be mounted thereto by 
screwing/bolting its screw/bolt end 32 into the nut portion 41 of the post 
mounting spike 24. Preferably the post member 21 is rotated until it is 
firmly held within nut member 41 and the corners of the post member 21 
align with the corners of nut member 41. 
Thence, cap member 23 is affixed atop its respective post member 21. 
The rails 22 are each of elongate square/rectangular configuration with a 
hollow interior space or core 47. Each rail 22 is formed of similar 
material as the post members 21 and have, for example, a moulded-in 
simulated wood surface or finish as the post 21 and cap 23 members. The 
thickness of the walls 48 of rails 22 are predetermined so as to provide a 
desired rigidity, for example, to withstand the weight of one or more 
persons. It should also be pointed out at this time that the plastic or 
other type material forming the rail and/or post members may be selected 
such that under excessive weight or strain they slowly bend and do not 
suddenly break. In this manner physical injury may be avoided. 
Each end of a rail 22 (see FIG. 6) is dimensioned to receive or accommodate 
a respective end (accessory) member 49. End member 49 comprises a 
generally square/rectangular plug 50, a body portion 51 and an outwardly 
projecting peg member 28. Each plug 50 is dimensioned and configured to be 
snugly or force-fitted into an opening 47 at an end of a respective rail 
member 22. Body member 51 is configured to extend beyond opening 47 and 
matingly abut with walls 48. Peg 28 is dimensioned for being received 
within a peg receiving hole 26,27,30 or 31 of a post member 21. 
It should be recognized that in addition to the snug or force-fit of the 
plug portions 36 and 50 of (accessory) members 23 and 49 with the openings 
25 and 47 of post member 21 and rail member 22, respectively, that such 
plug portions may be cemented or epoxied to the interior wall surfaces of 
the respective post and rail members. In this manner, improved affixation 
may be achieved. 
With reference to FIG. 7, an alternative construction of the rail member is 
shown. The rail member 52 shown in this drawing is similar to that shown 
in FIGS. 1 and 6 with the exception that the rail member 52 is round or of 
cylinder or pipe like configuration. Likewise, peg member 53 has a round 
plug 54 dimensioned to fit within opening 55 and a rod shaped peg 56 
dimensioned to fit within a respective round peg receiving hole 57 of post 
member 58. 
With reference to FIGS. 9,10,11 and 12, alternative embodiments or 
construction of the post member, cap and post mounting spike are shown. In 
FIG. 9, a generally round shaped post member 58 is illustrated having a 
plurality of round peg receiving holes 57. The cap 59 is mushroom shaped 
with a circular stem or plug 60 dimensioned to be force-fitted into 
opening 61 of the round post member 58. The post mounting spike 62 is 
similar to that shown in FIG. 4 with the exception that the nut portion 63 
has a generally round exterior configuration dimensioned to mate with the 
exterior surface of post member 58 with bolt 32 being screwed/bolted into 
the internally threaded 64 nut portion 63. 
With reference now to FIG. 8, an alternative embodiment of the rail member 
is shown. The rail member 65 is similar to the rail member 52 shown in 
FIG. 7, with the exception that rail member 65 is configured to have a 
split rail or half-round appearance. Similarly, the peg end or accessory 
attachment 66 is configured to have a plug 67 to snugly fit into opening 
68 and a split rail shaped body portion 69. Peg 70 is round shaped since 
the split rail 65 may be utilized with a round post member 58. 
It should be noted at this time that the desired finish, for example, 
stained wood grain, on the exterior surface of the post, rail and 
accessory/attachment members shown in FIGS. 6-12 may be selectively 
moulded into the (plastic) material forming these members. Also, the 
exterior surface of the nut member 63 may be similarly finished to blend 
with the post 58. 
With reference to FIG. 13, there is shown an accessory/attachment coupling 
device 71 in accordance with an additional feature of the present 
invention. The coupling device 71 basically comprises a tubular shaped 
plug having a diameter slightly less than the internal diameter of two 
separate round rail members 52. Thus, by inserting a portion of coupling 
(plug) member or device 71 into an end of two rails and pushing said rails 
together such that rim 72 abuts rim 73, the two rails are joined together. 
In this manner, rails may be repaired, lengthened or shortened as required 
or desired. It should be understood that coupling members having other 
configurations may be provided such as square to fit into opening 47 of 
rail 22 or a split rail shaped coupling member (not shown) to accommodate 
rail 52. Also, exterior coupling members (not shown) are contemplated such 
as a ring or short tubular member fitted about the exterior of the two 
rails to be joined together. 
With reference now to FIG. 14, an alternative embodiment of a post member 
is shown. The post member 74 is similar to the post member shown in FIG. 
9, with the exception that post member 74 is of substantially greater 
length and does not have a threaded bottom(bolt) end of smaller diameter. 
Post member 74 is primarily intended as a beginning or driveway post 
section with, for example, a light bulb 75 atop thereof. In erecting the 
fence structure, a bottom portion 76 of post member 74 is placed in a hole 
in the earth to provide vertical stability thereto. Also, a sign 77 
mounting pole 78 may be cantilevered from post member 74 and a support 
cable 79 affixed between a portion of pole 18 and post member 74. A grass 
prevention ring or disc 80 may be provided about post member 74 at the 
ground level to prevent or reduce grass from growing around the post 
members. 
With reference to FIGS. 15 and 16, a separate grass prevention disc 80 is 
shown. Grass prevention disc 80 is basically ring shaped with an inside 
hole 81 dimensioned to enable disc 80 to be slipped over a round post 
member 74. One or more downwardly projecting spike members 82 are provided 
about bottom surface 83 for being pounded into the earth about the post 
member thereby holding the disc in position. 
It should be appreciated that use of a grass prevention disc 40,80 
substantially prevents growth of grass about the post member and tends to 
obviate the need for cutting, mowing or edging the lawn thereabout. 
The post and rail members may be of desired length and diameter. However, 
it is contemplated that these members may be of a dimension, for example, 
with rail members being approximately eight feet in length and three 
inches in diameter and the post members being approximately four to six 
inches in diameter and between four feet and eight feet in length. 
It is to be understood that the above described arrangements are 
illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention. Other 
arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing 
from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, post members 21 
and 58 may be made of substantially greater length and without bolt end 32 
so that their bottom portions may be burried in the earth to provide the 
necessary stability and support thereto. Also it should be recognized that 
the hollow space within one or more of the post members 21,58,74, after 
their placement or vertical mounting either in mounting spikes 24 or the 
earth, and placement of the posts may be filled with cement or earth to 
provide increased stability.