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BACKGROUND  
       [0001]     1. Technical Field  
         [0002]     The present disclosure relates to picket fence assemblies, and more particularly to a picket fence assembly including pickets having a unique configuration for facilitating easy and fast construction of a picket fence assembly without the need for the use of additional mechanical fasteners.  
         [0003]     2. Background of Related Art  
         [0004]     Picket fences and picket fence assemblies are well known in the art. A picket fence assembly typically includes a plurality of vertical pickets secured to at least two horizontal support members. A picket fence assembly may be constructed of wood, plastic, or the like. Picket fence assemblies may also include two or more vertical support members which receive and support the ends of the horizontal members.  
         [0005]     The vertical pickets of picket fence assemblies may be secured to the horizontal members using any number of fastening devices or techniques. Generally, pickets are secured to horizontal support members using mechanical fasteners, such as nails, nuts and bolts, glue, and screws. Alternately, pickets can be secured to the horizontal support members by inserting the vertical pickets through openings in the horizontal support members and securing the vertical pickets to the horizontal support members with pins, rods, or a combination of pins or rods. Notches may be formed in the pickets to at least partially receive the pins or rods to effect securement. In either case, securing each individual vertical picket to each of the two or more horizontal members using mechanical fasteners is time consuming and requires additional material and equipment. Accordingly, a continuing need exists in the fence arts for a picket fence assembly which can be easily and quickly constructed at minimal cost.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0006]     The present disclosure relates to a picket fence assembly having rotatably securable pickets. The picket fence assembly has a plurality of vertical pickets secured to a horizontal support member. The horizontal support member defines non-circular openings configured and dimensioned to slidably receive the vertical pickets. Each vertical picket defines at least one notch that is rotatably engagable with a portion of the horizontal support member defining the openings of the horizontal support member. A horizontal locking member is provided which also defines non-circular openings configured and dimensioned to non-rotatably receive pickets that have been previously rotatably engaged within the horizontal support member. The openings in the horizontal support member have a first orientation and the openings in the horizontal locking member have a second orientation angularly offset from the first orientation. The angular offset of the first and second orientations allows pickets which have been rotatably engaged with the horizontal support member to be slidably received in the horizontal locking member openings. In one embodiment, the first and/or second horizontal members have an inverted U-shaped cross section. Alternately, other configurations are envisioned. The picket fence assembly may be constructed of plastic, wood, metal, composites or the like.  
         [0007]     In one preferred embodiment, the openings in the horizontal members are constructed such that rotation of a horizontal support member 180° about a vertical axis (an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the horizontal support member) reorients the openings in the horizontal support member from the first orientation to the second orientation. As such, each of the horizontal support members can be also used as horizontal locking members simply by rotating the horizontal support members 180° and each of the horizontal locking members can be used as horizontal support members by rotating the horizontal locking members 180°.  
         [0008]     Vertical support members may be used to support the picket fence assembly. In one embodiment, the vertical support members define a channel and include side openings configured to receive and support the ends of the horizontal members. The ends of the horizontal members may be secured to the vertical member by a connector rod passing through the support member channel and openings formed in the ends of the horizontal members. Other securement techniques are envisioned, e.g., screws, pins, etc. The picket fence assembly may also include a connector sleeve for connecting the horizontal members to the vertical support members. The connector sleeve may be sized to receive one end of a horizontal member and may be received in a side opening formed in the vertical support member. The vertical and/or the horizontal members may also be provided with end caps.  
         [0009]     In one embodiment, each of the vertical pickets has a triangular cross section having at least one notch formed therein. In a preferred embodiment, the pickets have an equilateral triangular cross-section. Correspondingly shaped openings are formed in the first and the second horizontal members and are dimensioned to receive the vertical pickets. The second horizontal member may be substantially identical to the first horizontal member, including the size and configuration of the openings. The notches formed in each vertical picket facilitate rotation of each picket with respect to the first horizontal member to axially secure each picket with respect to the first horizontal member. The vertical pickets and notches may be formed to rotate about 60° (degrees) within the opening formed in the horizontal member to effect securement. Alternately, other degrees of rotation are envisioned. Rotation of the vertical picket within the opening formed in the horizontal member prevents the vertical picket from sliding through, or being withdrawn from, the horizontal member. After the vertical picket has been axially secured to the first horizontal member, the picket can be inserted through the opening in the second horizontal member to rotatably fix the vertical picket in relation to the horizontal members. Other picket configurations are envisioned, e.g., square, pentagonal, star-shaped, rectangular, etc. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]     Various embodiments of the presently disclosed picket fence assembly are described herein with reference to the drawings, wherein:  
         [0011]      FIG. 1A  is an isometric view of one embodiment of a picket fence assembly constructed in accordance with the present disclosure;  
         [0012]      FIG. 1B  is an exploded isometric view of the picket fence assembly shown in  FIG. 1A ;  
         [0013]      FIG. 2A  is an enlarged isometric view of a portion of a vertical picket including horizontal notches;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2B  is an enlarged isometric view of a portion of a horizontal support member defining an opening for receiving the vertical picket shown in  FIG. 2A ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 3A  is an isometric view of the vertical picket shown in  FIG. 2A  inserted through the horizontal support member shown in  FIG. 2B  and prior to rotation of the vertical picket and prior to insertion of the vertical picket through a horizontal locking member;  
         [0016]      FIG. 3B  is an isometric view of the vertical picket and horizontal members shown in  FIG. 3A  after rotation of the vertical picket about its longitudinal axis within the opening of horizontal support member, and prior to insertion of the vertical picket through the horizontal locking member;  
         [0017]      FIG. 3C  is an isometric view of the vertical picket shown in  FIG. 3A  rotatably secured within the opening of the horizontal support member shown in  FIG. 3A  and extending through the opening of the horizontal locking member shown in  FIG. 3A ; and  
         [0018]      FIGS. 4A-4F  are top cross sectional views of various alternate embodiments of the present disclosure showing a vertical picket rotatably secured within the opening of a horizontal support member. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0019]     Embodiments of the presently disclosed picket fence assembly will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings in which like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views.  
         [0020]     As used herein, the term “notch” is understood to mean any cutout, recess, indentation or the like which is formed in a portion of the picket to facilitate rotational movement of a picket in relation to a horizontal support member to axially fix the picket to the horizontal support member.  
         [0021]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate a picket fence assembly constructed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. Referring to  FIG. 1A , picket fence assembly  10  includes a plurality of vertical pickets  12 , a horizontal support member  14  and a horizontal locking member  16 . As shown, horizontal members  14  and  16  of picket fence assembly  10  are supported between vertical support members  18  and are coupled with vertical support members  18  by connector sleeves  20 . Referring to  FIG. 1B , vertical pickets  12  are dimensioned to be received through openings formed in horizontal member  14  and horizontal member  16  as will be discussed in detail below.  
         [0022]     Connector sleeves  20  are configured and dimensioned to receive the ends of horizontal members  14  and  16  and be received in side openings  18   a  ( FIG. 1B ) formed in vertical support members  18 . Connector sleeves  20  further define an opening  20   a  sized to receive a connector rod  22 . Connector rod  22  is received through a vertical channel  18   b  ( FIG. 1B ) formed in supports  18  and openings  20   a  in connector sleeves  20  to fixedly secure horizontal members  14  and  16  to vertical support members  18 . In a preferred embodiment, the connector rod can be in the form of a picket. In one embodiment, end caps  21  ( FIG. 1A ) may be added to vertical members  18  for aesthetics and/or prevent water from leaking into picket fence assembly  10 . For these same reasons, end caps  23  may be provided for horizontal members  14  and  16  or connector sleeves  20 . Additionally, appropriately configured end caps may be used on the top and bottom ends of the pickets. Side openings  18   a  of vertical support  18  may be positioned to receive two or more horizontal members wherein additional horizontal members may be provided to provide greater support or enhance picket locking. Further, openings  18   a  in vertical support members  18  may be provided and positioned such that the horizontal support members are aligned, are offset from each other by about 90 degrees, or alternately disposed.  
         [0023]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate the components of one preferred embodiment of the presently disclosed picket fence assembly. Referring to  FIG. 2A , vertical picket  112  has a triangular configuration and cross-section and defines a plurality of notches  124 . Horizontal member  114  includes openings  114   a  (only one is shown) which has a shape which corresponds to the cross-section or configuration of vertical picket  112 , i.e., triangular. When vertical picket  112  is positioned through (longitudinally inserted) openings  114   a  of horizontal member  114 , notches  124  are positioned and configured to align with openings  114   a  such that when picket  112  is rotated about its longitudinal axis, notches  124  engage a portion of horizontal member  114  defining opening  114   a  . Notches  124  may be of any depth, width, height or configuration so long as axial rotation of vertical picket  112  portion of horizontal member  114  defining opening  114   a  within notches  124  to prevent picket  112  from being slid axially from opening  114   a . Vertical picket  112  may be constructed of metal, wood, plastic, composites, or other compositions suitable for fence construction. Although vertical picket  112  is shown as being hollow, picket  112  may be solid. A vertical picket constructed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure may have any non-circular cross sectional profile, including triangular, square, rectangular, pentagonal, trapezoidal, hexagonal, oval, star-shaped, etc.  
         [0024]     As illustrated in  FIG. 2B , horizontal member  114  defines an inverted U-shaped configuration and defines a triangular opening  114   a  sized to receive vertical picket  112  shown in  FIG. 2A . Alternately, it is envisioned that horizontal member  114  may assume a wide variety of configurations including, but not limited to, square and rectangular configurations.  
         [0025]      FIGS. 3A-3C  illustrate the method or steps required to assemble a picket fence assembly constructed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. Referring to  FIG. 3A , as discussed above, vertical picket  112  is inserted through triangular openings  114   a  in first horizontal member  114  to a position in which notches  124  are aligned with the portion of horizontal member  114  defining opening  114   a . As of yet, vertical picket  112  has not be inserted into opening  116   a  defined by second horizontal member  116 .  
         [0026]     As illustrated in  FIG. 3B , after vertical picket  112  is positioned to align notches  124  within opening  114   a  of horizontal member  114 , vertical picket  112  is rotated axially to secure picket  112  within the opening  114   a  of first horizontal member  114  at notch  124 . In the present embodiment, vertical picket  112  is rotated about 60° (degrees) to fully position horizontal notches  124  about the portion of first horizontal member  114  defining opening  114   a . In alternate embodiments of the picket fence assembly, the amount of rotation required to fully secure vertical picket  112  to a horizontal support member may be varied and is dictated by the cross sectional profile of the vertical picket, the depth of the notches and the orientation of the opening in the horizontal locking member as will be discussed below. Preferably, the rotation of the picket required to effect securement to the horizontal support member does not exceed 90°. It is noted that, as of yet, vertical picket  112  has not been inserted into opening  116   a  of second horizontal member  116 .  
         [0027]     Referring to  FIG. 3C , vertical picket  112 , rotatably secured within horizontal support member  114  as shown in  FIG. 3B , is inserted into triangular opening  116   a  of horizontal locking member  116 . Triangular opening  116  is sized to receive vertical picket  112  so as to prevent further rotation of vertical picket  112 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 3B and 3C , opening  116   a  in horizontal member  116  is oriented to receive vertical picket  112  after vertical picket  112  has been rotatably secured to horizontal member  114 . As such, if notches  124  were dimensioned to fixedly secure picket  112  to horizontal member  114  after a 40 degree rotation or 90 degree rotation of picket  112  (rather than a 60 degree rotation), the orientation of opening  116   a  of horizontal member  116  would have to be altered, i.e., reoriented to facilitate receipt of the vertical picket. When vertical picket  112  is received in opening  116   a  of horizontal member  116 , vertical picket  112  is prevented from further rotation because notches are not provided in vertical picket  112  adjacent opening  116   a  of horizontal locking member  116 . As such, vertical picket  112  is prevented from rotating and becoming disengaged from horizontal member  114  i.e., vertical picket is rotationally and axially locked in relation to horizontal members  114  and  116 .  
         [0028]     It is noted that in a preferred embodiment, vertical pickets  112  are first secured to horizontal members  114  and  116  and thereafter, horizontal members  114  and  116  are secured between vertical support members  18  ( FIG. 1 ) in the manner discussed above. Alternately, second horizontal member  116  can be secured between vertical support members  18  and then vertical pickets  112 , which are already secured to first horizontal member  116 , can be positioned within openings  116   a  of second horizontal member  116 . It is noted that although the upper horizontal member is shown as the support member and the lower horizontal member is shown as the locking member, the locking member and the support member may form either the upper or lower horizontal members, or intermediate horizontal members.  
         [0029]      FIGS. 4A-4D  illustrate various alternate embodiments of the vertical picket and horizontal support member secured together in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. Referring to  FIG. 4A , vertical picket  312 , defining an equilateral triangular cross section, is rotatably engaged within equilateral triangular opening  326  of horizontal member  314 . In one preferred embodiment, 60° rotation of picket  312  is required to secure picket  312  to horizontal support member  314 . Alternately other degrees of rotation to effect securement are envisioned, e.g., 30°, 45°, etc. Referring to  FIG. 4B , vertical picket  412 , defining a square cross section, is rotatably engaged within square opening  426  of horizontal member  414 . Referring to  FIG. 4C , vertical picket  512 , defining a hexagonal cross section, is rotatably engaged within hexagonal opening  526  of horizontal member  514 . Referring to  FIG. 4D , vertical picket  612 , defining a pentagonal cross section, is rotatably engaged within pentagonal opening  626  of horizontal member  614 . Referring to  FIG. 4E , vertical picket  712 , defining an oval cross-section, is rotatably engaged within oval opening  726  of horizontal member  714 . Referring to  FIG. 4F , vertical picket  812 , defining a star-shaped cross-section is rotatably engaged within star-shaped opening  826  of horizontal member  814 . Although each of the embodiments discussed above is shown and or described as being rotatably fastened to the upper horizontal member, the vertical pickets can just as easily be configured to be rotatably secured to the lower horizontal member in the same manner as discussed above with respect to the upper horizontal member. Accordingly, this disclosure contemplates both of these embodiments.  
         [0030]     In one preferred embodiment, the openings in the horizontal members are oriented such that each of the horizontal members can function as either the support member or the locking member. More specifically, the openings in the horizontal members are oriented such that by rotating the horizontal member 180° about a vertical axis (an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the horizontal member), the opening in the horizontal member is reoriented from a support orientation to a locking orientation or vice-versa. For example, note that when horizontal support member  114  in  FIG. 2B  is rotated 180° about a vertical axis, the orientation of opening  114   a  assumes the orientation of opening  116   a  of horizontal locking member  116  as shown in  FIG. 3A . As such, only a single configuration of the horizontal member need be provided which can be used to form either the horizontal locking member or the horizontal support member.  
         [0031]     It will be understood that various modifications may be made to the embodiments disclosed herein. For example, holes may be formed in each end of the horizontal members such that the horizontal members can be secured directly to a vertical support member and no connector sleeve is required. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims append hereto.

Summary:
A picket fence assembly is provided which includes uniquely configured pickets which facilitate fast and easy construction of a picket fence without the need for additional mechanical fasteners. In one embodiment, the picket fence includes non-circular pickets, a first horizontal member and a second horizontal member. The first and second horizontal members include openings configured to receive respective pickets. Each picket includes at least one notch positioned to align with a respective opening in one of the first and second horizontal members. The notch facilitates rotation of the picket in relation to the one horizontal member to axially secure the vertical picket to the one horizontal member. The opening in the other horizontal member is oriented to non-rotatably receive the picket member after it has been secured to the one horizontal member. A method of assembling a picket fence assembly is also disclosed.