Fence brace system

The present invention comprises a brace adapted to secure a fence rail to a fence post. The present invention brace may optionally be installed onto an existing fence or on a new fence. The invention includes a first fence rail brace member adapted to connect to two or more sides of a first fence rail, a second fence rail brace member adapted to connect to two or more sides of a second fence rail, and a fence post member adapted to connect to two or more sides of a fence post. The fence post brace member may form a vertical picket fastener slot, the first fence rail brace member may form a first horizontal picket fastener slot, and the second fence rail brace member may form a second horizontal picket fastener slot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of fences. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system for providing structural support for fences.

The present invention provides strength for building a new fence or repairing an existing fence. The fence would not need to be removed or modified to install the herein disclosed brace. Installation would be simple. The brace could be mass produced at low cost. The color and style of the brace could be easily adapted to match aesthetically with the fence and the surrounding area. The brace itself may be painted or stained. The brace may also be built into a new fence. The present invention optionally includes embodiments adapted for fences with rectanguloid rails or for rectanguloid fence posts. The present invention may be optionally optimized for a fence with cylindrical fence posts. The present invention may also include an embodiment adapted to secure the corner pieces of the fence. In an additional optional embodiment, the present invention is adapted to secure a fence on a slope. The brace may be made of strong weather-resistant material such as steel, stainless steel, galvanized steel, aluminum, plastic, graphite, composite material, or wood.

STATEMENTS AS TO THE RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fence and fence structure are subject to damage due to high winds, torrential rains, heavy snowfall, vehicular accidents, termites, vandalism, earthquakes and falling trees and branches. The most common of these causes is high winds. Wind damages fences all around the world every year. Fences made of wood are especially susceptible to wind damage because wood is weakened by prolonged exposure to rain, snow, wind, and other elements. Despite the potential for damage, wood is still by far the most common residential fencing material in the United States. In 2007 alone, Americans put up 59,000 miles of wood fencing, enough to circle the globe twice. Wood is inexpensive and lightweight, and a wood fence can easily be shaped to give properties character and individuality. There are many styles, including linear post-and-rail and crisscrossing lattice, as well as myriad picket patterns and post-cap designs. And the wood may be painted or stained to match almost any landscape.

Fences could be built much stronger through the use of heavy materials such as steel and sturdy construction. However, this might drive the costs of the fence up above what is acceptable. As well, there are the aesthetic considerations discussed above. Also, it is unlikely that a property owner would replace an existing fence merely because of the possibility that it could be damaged by the elements.

There is an unmet need, therefore, for an inexpensive way to provide a fence with additional structural support. The need is especially great with respect to existing fences and with respect to wooden fences.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In a preferred embodiment as illustrated inFIG. 2, the present invention comprises fence brace1for securing at least one fence rail4to fence post2including first fence rail brace member3adapted to connect to two or more sides of first fence rail4. First fence rail brace member3may be fused to a first side of fence post brace member5wherein fence post brace member5is adapted to connect to two or more sides of fence post2. The fence rail may be rectanguloid. As used herein, the term “rectanguloid” means a solid (3-dimentional) object which has six faces that are rectangles. It has the same cross-section along a length. As used herein, “rectanguloid” is the same as a rectangular prism. A rectanguloid may be though of as a 3-dimentional version of a rectangle or a square. The herein disclosed fence brace system may further include second fence rail brace member6fused to a second side of fence post brace member5, wherein second fence rail brace member6is adapted to connect to two or more sides of second fence rail7.

Fence brace1may include plurality of holes8thereby allowing fence post brace member5to be securely fastened to fence post2and thereby allowing first fence rail brace member3to be securely fastened to first fence rail4and second fence rail brace member7to be securely fastened to second fence rail7. The plurality of holes may be referred to as screw-holes, nail holes, bolt holes, or other such holes. The plurality of holes may each receive a screw, a nail, a bolt, or an alternative type of fastener for securely connecting fence brace1to the fence post and/or the fence rail(s). The various figures illustrate the plurality of holes positioned in exemplary locations; those skilled in the art will recognize that the plurality of holes may be formed in various locations on the fence brace to provide the intended benefit of allowing secure attachment of the fence brace to the fence (the fence post and the fence rails).

Fence brace1may be formed of a strong weather-resistant material such as selected from the group consisting of steel, stainless steel, galvanized steel, aluminum, plastic, graphite, composite material, or wood.

An embodiment of the present invention may further include one or more slots for allowing one or more pickets (or boards) to be attached to the fence. For example, and as illustrated inFIG. 2as a preferred embodiment, fence post brace member5forms vertical picket fastener slot55, first fence rail brace member3forms first horizontal picket fastener slot33, and second fence rail brace member6forms second horizontal picket fastener slot66. This embodiment allows for attachment of a picket to fence post2through vertical picket fastener slot55, attachment of a picket to first fence rail4through first horizontal picket fastener slot33, and/or attachment of a picket to second fence rail7through second horizontal picket fastener slot66. After fastening one or more pickets through the respective picket fastener slot, the herein disclosed fence brace is positioned in between the fence and the picket.

Referring toFIG. 3, an embodiment of a fence brace assembly is illustrating comprising fence brace1attached to fence11. Fence brace1includes fence post brace member5attached to fence post2and forming vertical picket fastener slot55, first fence rail brace member3attached to first fence rail4and forming first horizontal picket fastener slot33, and second fence brace member6attached to second fence rail7and forming second horizontal picket fastener slot66.

Throughout this specification the fence brace system is mostly described as including a fence post brace member, a first fence rail brace member, and a second fence rail brace member. But for the present invention, fence post brace member5may alternatively be referred to as a pair of opposing upper and lower fence post flanges, each of the fence post flanges comprising a planer central wall and a pair of rearward-protruding side walls extending along opposing vertical longitudinally-extending edges of the central wall, the sidewalls of the upper fence post flange being vertically-aligned with the sidewalls of the lower fence post flange to define a pair of aligned channels for receiving the fence post therein. First fence rail brace member3and second fence rail brace member6may alternatively be referred to as a pair of opposing left and right fence rail flanges, each of the fence rail flanges comprising a planar central wall and a pair of rearward-protruding side walls extending along opposing horizontal longitudinally-extending edges of the central wall, the sidewalls of the left fence rail flange being horizontally-aligned with the sidewalls of the right fence rail flange to define a pair of aligned channels for receiving the fence rails therein.

Referring toFIG. 1, an alternative embodiment of the herein disclosed fence brace system is illustrated wherein the rearward-protruding side walls of the opposing upper and lower fence post flanges do not extend all the way to the first and second fence rails. In this embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1, an upper flange cutout551is formed on each side of the upper flange and a lower flange cutout552is formed on each side of the lower flange. The embodiment illustrated inFIG. 2differs in that the pair of rearward-protruding side walls extend fully towards first fence rail brace member and the second fence rail brace member.

While the present invention has been illustrated and described herein in terms of a preferred embodiment and several alternatives, it is to be understood that the devices, systems, and assemblies described herein can have a multitude of additional uses and applications. Accordingly, the invention should not be limited to just the particular description and various drawing figures contained in this specification that merely illustrate a preferred embodiment and application of the principles of the invention.