Abstract:
A clip used to attach vertical and horizontal members of a fencing assembly is provided. Clips according to the claimed invention comprise three resilient legs and enable fencing assemblies to be constructed on site without the use of screws or welding. Configurations for vertical and horizontal members of a fencing assembly that can be used in conjunction with the claimed clip, and means of assembly are provided as well.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to fencing systems. In particular, the invention relates to a clip for attaching the horizontal and vertical members used in a metal fence assembly without the use of screws or welding. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Picket fences are constructed by connecting vertical members for support to horizontal members for stability. The members of metal fences are generally screwed or welded together off site and supplied in pre-fabricated form. As a result, installation and transport can be both difficult and time consuming. 
         [0003]    In one known solution, a clip, having two retractable arms is secured to the vertical member either by placing a retention element into the top open end of the picket, or by inserting the clip in flat form through two complimentary slits in the vertical member, then bending the clip so as to create two retractable arms. The horizontal member is outfitted with a hole for receiving the vertical member, which is slid into place through the hole. Once the horizontal member is in place over the clip, the retractable arms hold it securely on the vertical member. 
         [0004]    In another known solution, a railing assembly is created using parallel top and bottom rails supporting an array of parallel vertical pickets or spindles. Both top and bottom rails have grooves through which locking plates are engaged. The locking plates have holes fitted for the vertical members and are used to hold them in place. 
         [0005]    The known solutions are problematic in that they do not provide the desired flexibility of design, ease of assembly or ease of transport. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The present invention concerns a clip for assembling a fence without the use of screws or welding. 
         [0007]    The preferred clip comprises two resilient legs, arranged so that they are connected by a curved segment at their uppermost points, essentially forming an “n” shape. A resilient arm extends outward in a cantilevered fashion from a location on one of the two vertical legs. 
         [0008]    Each horizontal member of a fencing assembly employing the clip has a cross section that is essentially an inverted box with apertures through which the vertical members may be inserted during assembly. 
         [0009]    Each vertical member of a fencing assembly employing the clip is hollow, rectangular in cross section, and has slots for insertion of the resilient arm of the clip at the locations where intersection with the horizontal members is to occur. 
         [0010]    To construct a fencing assembly employing the preferred clip, the resilient arm of the clip is inserted into the slot of the vertical member so that the resilient legs sit flat against the vertical member. The vertical member is inserted through the aperture of the horizontal member. The horizontal member is then slid over the clip attached to the vertical member, engaging the clip, and holding the horizontal member in place upon the vertical member. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view a picket fence having vertical pickets and horizontal rails; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is an exploded sectional view of the horizontal and vertical member with the clip prior to assembly; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the horizontal and vertical member with the clip positioned in the slot of the vertical member; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a plan view of the section of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view along the line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0016]      FIGS. 6 through 10  are a series of perspective views of the preferred clip as it appears from the various perspectives; 
           [0017]      FIG. 11  is a sectional view that illustrates one possible means for removing a clip from an assembled fence; 
           [0018]      FIG. 12  is a sectional view that illustrates an alternative clip with an attached removal means; 
           [0019]      FIG. 13  is a sectional view of the clip that illustrates the attachment of a removal means. 
           [0020]      FIG. 14  is a sectional view along line  14 - 14  of  FIG. 13 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 15  is a sectional view of the clip that illustrates an alternate attachment of a removal means. 
           [0022]      FIGS. 16 and 17  are perspective views of an alternative embodiment of the clip without side digits. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0023]    The invention will be described with reference to the drawing figures wherein a like numeral refers to the same structure in each figure. 
         [0024]      FIG. 1  shows a section of a completed fence structure. The fence  1  has vertical posts  2  and horizontal rails  3  that define enclosed areas of vertical pickets  4 . The pickets  4  and horizontal rails  3  are generally provided as sub-assemblies that are connected on site with the vertical posts  2 . 
         [0025]    Use of the clip according to the preferred embodiment will be detailed with reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The vertical pickets  4  generally, but not necessarily, are square with perpendicular sides  9  that have a predetermined dimension “D.” The horizontal rails  3  have an inverted box shape having sides  10  that depend from planar top or bridge  16  which defines an aperture  18  for receipt of the vertical picket  4 . Between the inside walls  11  of depending walls  10  and lips  12 , there is a groove  14 . The lips  12  are spaced apart by at least the dimension “W” so that the post  2  will fit between them. At least one side  9  of the post  2  includes a defined slot  20 . The slot  20  is dimensioned to receive a portion of the clip  40 . 
         [0026]    The clip  40  has a body portion  42  that is generally “n” shaped with diverging legs  44  and  46  that are connected at an arc  48  and spaced apart terminal feet  50 . The legs are bendable inward at an angle between 20 and 50 degrees. One of the legs  46  may be shorter than the other leg  44 . The feet  50  are spaced apart by at least the same dimension as the inside walls  11  with a more vertical orientation to a plan beneath the clip  40 . The feet  50  are sized for an interference fit within the inside of the horizontal rail  3  so that they will not pass beyond the lips  12  if the structure is dislodged or jarred. 
         [0027]    With reference to  FIGS. 6 ,  7  and  8 , the structure of preferred clip  40  will be described in more detail. The body portion  42  is arched to connect legs  44  and  46 , of which leg  44  is the longer. Each of the legs  44  and  46  has a foot  50  that is formed inwardly so as to be somewhat perpendicular to a plane beneath the clip  40  and parallel to each other. One of the legs  46  supports an arm like extension  60 . In the preferred embodiment, a finger  62  is stuck from the center of the arm  60  and a portion of the leg  44 , to produce a slot  70 . See  FIG. 8 . As can be seen from  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the finger  62  is connected to the arm  60  by the joint  64 . The finger  62  includes a first knuckle or ramp portion  66  at a first distance from the arm  60 , a second knuckle  68  at a second greater distance from the arm  60 , and a tip  69  which is at a third distance from arm  60  that is less than the second distance. Thus, the finger  62  has a generally curved or arched shape to depend under the arm  60 ; however, the finger  62  may also be formed above the arm  60 . In the preferred embodiment shown in  FIGS. 6-10 , first and second side digits  82  and  84  are provided on either side of the arm  60 , preferably on the opposite side of the arm  60  from the finger  62 , and angled away from the body portion  42 . 
         [0028]    The clip  40  is preferably stamped and formed from one sheet of spring metal, such as stainless or carbon steel, but may be made from other suitable materials. In one preferred embodiment of the clip, the total width, spanning between the outer walls of the terminal feet  50 , is 0.926 inches and the height, spanning from the bottom of the terminal feet  50  to the top of the arc  48 , is 0.624 inches. Each of the clip walls has a thickness of 0.024 inches. The legs  44  and  46  preferably have a width of 0.373 inches. The resilient arm  60  preferably has a length of 0.530 inches and a width of 0.370 inches, with the finger  62  having a width 0.130 inches and each of the side digits  82  and  84  having a width of 0.05 inches. 
         [0029]    With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , it can be seen that the arm  60  of clip  40  can be inserted into the slot  20 . That insertion will flex the finger  62  into the slot  70 , so that the finger will pass through the slot  20  and spring back within the post  2 , coming into contact with side  9  defining the slot  20 . As a result the finger  62  is in an interference fit within the slot  20 . As can be seen from  FIG. 3 , legs  44  and  46  contact the interior walls  11  of the rail  3 . Preferably side digits  82  and  84  are fully inserted into the slot  20  with the clip arm and abut the interior of the side  9  of the vertical member  2  to provide resistance to the clip becoming dislodged from the slot  20 . 
         [0030]    When the parts are assembled as described, the clip  40  of the preferred embodiment holds the vertical pickets  4  and horizontal rails  3  in fixed positions relative to each other. The horizontal rail  3  is positioned so that open side is facing downward. The opposite side  16  presents a solid top to the horizontal rail  3 . This assembly holds the components together while hiding the clip  40  from view. Accordingly, there is no welding needed and the assembled fence does not have exposed screws or fasteners. 
         [0031]    In the event that removal of the clip  40  is desired, it may be accomplished as shown in  FIGS. 11 through 14 . With reference to  FIG. 11 , the clip  40  may be removed by using bent long nose pliers such as are available from the Vice Grip company, such as model number Irwin 2078228. As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the pliers&#39; tips  100  are place above the legs  44  and  46  and closed to bend the legs, until the legs are within the lips  12 . In this case the locking pliers can be set and the horizontal rail  4  can be moved upward, or the clip  40  can be moved horizontally so that the arm  60  is freed from the post  2 . 
         [0032]    The embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 12  includes a pull line or cable  110  which may be engaged by any tool that permits a downward force so that the legs  44  and  46  are drawn to each other and within the lips  12 . 
         [0033]    With reference to  FIGS. 13 and 14 , there is illustrated a configuration where the ends  50  are formed or stamped with a node  112  that is a connection point for the pull line or cable  110 . 
         [0034]    With reference to  FIG. 15 , there is shown a further embodiment where the feet  50  are modified with an inwardly curved portion  114  which will serve to attach the pull line or cable  112  and assist in passage beyond the lips  12 .