Patent Publication Number: US-8973904-B2

Title: Fence assembly

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates to a fence assembly having a number of constituent parts. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Fence structures have been used for years to define boundaries, provide security, to create privacy, etc. In addition, fence structures are sometimes required for safety reasons, such as to surround a swimming pool. 
     Various structures are known to form a fence assembly. These structures may be formed from any number of materials, including metal, wood and plastic. The known fence structures often provided features that assist in assembly and disassembly, that facilitate security or privacy, and that provide desired aesthetics. 
     The present disclosure relates to a fence assembly having various advantages over many of the known structures. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One aspect of the present invention is a fence assembly having as constituent parts a plurality of brackets that engage with a channeled support bar. The support bar is secured to posts for securing the assembly and the brackets retain one or more fence slats. The retaining brackets are slidably engaged to the support bar. Preferably the support bar is provided with a “C” shaped channel provided along the length of the bar. The opening in the channel is positioned towards the desired position of the fence slats in the final assembly. The retaining brackets are generally “U” shaped and include a retaining tab on each of the projected ends. The retaining tabs are positioned within the channel on the support bar. In one embodiment, the brackets are slid into the channel from one end of the bar and positioned along the length of the bar. Multiple brackets are slid into the channel and are positioned adjacent one another. The fence slats are fit behind the brackets and supported from the rear by the support bar. The two ends of the support bar may be attached to a vertical post to form a fence section. Each fence section will typically include at least two support bars, positioned parallel to one another, with the brackets aligned to retain the fence slats in a desired position. The ends of the adjacent support bars/fence sections may be attached to one another to form a stable fence assembly. 
     In a further aspect of the disclosed fence assembly, a plurality of posts is provided along with a plurality of elongated rails. Each of the rails preferably includes a hollow interior and a front face having an elongated channel extending into the hollow interior. A plurality of fence slats and a plurality of brackets are also provided, with each bracket formed to retain at least one fence slat. The brackets include engagement ends positioned on an extension member on the bracket body. The engagement ends are inserted into the channel and the interior hollow of the rails to secure the brackets to the rails. The brackets are secured to the rail and create a retaining slot for receiving at least one fence slat and to support the fence slat on the rail. The rail is attached to one or more posts to form, along with the plurality of brackets and fence slats, a fencing section. 
     In various aspects of the fencing assembly, the retaining brackets may include different forms of engagement structures for attachment of the brackets to a rail. One form of engagement structure permits attachment of the bracket to the rail by sliding the bracket into the channel from one end of the rail, wherein the bracket cannot be removed from the channel (other than by sliding the bracket out of the channel). An alternate form of retaining bracket includes an engagement structure having engagement surfaces with sufficient clearance to permit the bracket to be pivoted into the channel from a position directly in front of the rail. The engagement surfaces may include an angled edge within the engagement tabs. The angle formation provided clearance during the pivoting engagement with the rail. Other bracket forms are contemplated to position the fence slats in a spaced or offset position along the rail. 
     In a further aspect of the present disclosure, fence assembly includes a plurality of posts and a plurality of elongated rails. Each rail being supported by one of the plurality of posts. The rails preferably having a hollow interior and defined by a back wall, a pair of opposing side walls, longitudinally extending from and along the longitudinal length of the back wall, and a pair of front face members. The front face members longitudinally extend along and project from a respective one of the side walls. The front face members are coplanar with each other and define a channel there between that extends into the hollow interior of the rail. A plurality of fence slats is provided, with each fence slat having a defined length, width and height. A plurality of brackets is also provided, with each bracket preferably including a planar body, a pair of opposing body extensions, longitudinally extending from the body, and engagement ends positioned on the body extensions. The engagement ends preferably form an engagement structure for insertion through the channel and into the hollow interior of the rails. The engagement structure is formed to secure the brackets to the front face members of the rails. The plurality of brackets are secured to at least one rail, with the extensions of the brackets spacing the body portion from the front face members to define a retaining slot having dimensions sufficient to receive at least one fence slat and to support the fence slat on the rail. The rail is attached to one or more posts to form, along with the plurality of brackets and fence slats, a fence section. 
     Other features of the present invention and combinations of features will become apparent from the detailed description to follow, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the drawings show one or more forms that are presently preferred. It should be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the drawings. 
         FIG. 1  shows a front isometric view of an embodiment of a fence assembly in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  shows an isometric view of a bracket portion of the fence assembly embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  shows an end view of an assembly of a bracket and channel structure of the fence embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         FIG. 4  shows an isometric view of a partial assembly of the fence embodiment of  FIGS. 1-3 . 
         FIG. 5  shows a rear isometric view of the fence assembly embodiment of  FIGS. 1-4 . 
         FIG. 6A  shows a front isometric view of a corner portion of a fence assembly formed in accordance with the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-5 . 
         FIG. 6B  shows a top view of the corner portion of the fence assembly of  FIG. 6A . 
         FIG. 7  shows an isometric view of an alternate embodiment of a bracket portion for a fence assembly in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  shows an end view of the bracket portion of  FIG. 7  and a channel structure in forming an alternate embodiment of a fence assembly. 
         FIG. 9  shows a front isometric view of the embodiment of a fence assembly in accordance with structures of  FIGS. 7-8 . 
         FIG. 10  shows an isometric view of a further embodiment of a bracket portion for a fence assembly in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 11  shows an end view of the assembly of the bracket portion of  FIG. 10  with a channel structure in forming the further embodiment of the fence assembly. 
         FIG. 12  shows an end view of a further step in the assembly of the bracket portion of  FIG. 10  with a channel structure in forming the further embodiment of the fence assembly. 
         FIG. 13  shows an end view of a still further step in the assembly of the bracket portion of  FIG. 10  with a channel structure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the figures, where like numerals identify like elements, there is shown an embodiment of a fence assembly, which is generally designated with the numeral  10 . In  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of the fence assembly  10  is shown as including a post structure  12  (a plurality of posts being contemplated), a plurality of rails  14 , a plurality of fence slats  16  and a corresponding plurality of retaining brackets  18 . A portion of an assembled fence section including the listed elements is shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     In  FIG. 2 , there is shown a retaining bracket  18  of the type contemplated for use in the fence section of  FIG. 1 . The bracket  18  is generally U-shaped and includes a front or body portion  20  and a pair of opposing extensions or arms  22  (labeled A and B). On each of the projected ends of the extensions  22  is provided an engagement end  24  formed to secure the bracket  18  to the rails  14  ( FIG. 1 ). The engagement end  24  of each extension  22  includes upper and lower retaining slots  26 ,  28  defined by front and rear tabs  30 ,  32 . 
     In  FIG. 3 , there is shown the engagement of a bracket  18  with a rail  14 . The rail structure  14  is contemplated to be elongated so as to support an extended fence section. The rail  14  is viewed in  FIG. 3  from the end, which shows that the rail has a generally C-shaped profile with a hollow interior  34 . The C-shaped rail structure is formed by a number of outside walls that surround the hollow  34  and that define a channel  36  providing an opening to the interior hollow  34 . The rail  14  includes a back wall  38 , a pair of opposing sidewalls  40  (labeled A and B), and a pair of front face members  42  (labeled A and B). One of the front face members  42 A projects from sidewall  40 A and the other front face member  42 B projects from sidewall  40 B, with the two members  42 A,  42 B being formed in the same plane and positioned on opposite sides of the channel  36 . 
     The bracket  18  engages the elongated rail  14  by being slid into the channel  36  and hollow interior  34  of the rail from one of the rail ends. The brackets  18  are retained in position within the rail channel  36  by means of the retaining ends  24  formed on the bracket extensions  22 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the bracket  18  is retained on the rail  14  by positioning the front face members  42 A,  42 B within retaining slots  26 ,  28 , respectively. The front tab  30  of each engagement end  24  engages the outside surface of the face members  42 , with the rear tabs engaging the inside surface of the face member  42  within the interior  34  of the rail  14 . A central portion  44  on the bracket  18  is positioned within the channel  36  formed between the front face members  42 . 
     The position of the engagement ends  24  of the bracket  18  within the channel  36  of the rail  14  secures the bracket  18  on the rail  14 . The bracket  18  is contemplated to be slidable along the longitudinal length of the rail  14 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , a plurality of brackets  18  may be secured to each rail  14  within the fence assembly  10 . Each bracket  18  creates a retaining gap  46  formed between the body  20  and the front face members  42  of the rail  14 . The width of the gap  46  is defined by the length of the bracket body  20  and the depth of the gap  46  is defined by the length of the extension  22 . Preferably, the dimensions of the gap  46  defined by the bracket  18  conforms to the width and thickness of a fence slat  16 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , three spaced rails  14  are secured to a post  12  (with an opposing post preferably positioned at a spaced location along the rail) and are aligned in parallel. The open channel  36  of the rail is positioned outwardly from the mounting of the rail to post. A plurality of brackets  18  is slid onto the rail  14  and retained in the channel. The brackets  18  on each rail are preferably vertically aligned such that a fence slat  16  may be positioned within the slots  34  of the brackets  18 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , a plurality of slats  16  is secured to the rails  14  by the aligned brackets  18 . A rear view of the fence assembly  10  is shown in  FIG. 5 . The rails  14  are fixed to posts  12  and in turn support the fence slats  16 . The rails  14  are shown between the posts  12  and the slats  16 . The brackets ( 18 ) are not visible from the rear of the fence assembly. 
     The rails  14  preferably included a fixed length, although may be cut to conform to the dimensions of the fence assembly  10  to the desired dimensions of the area to be bound by the fence. Connecting structures (not shown) may be provided to fix abutting ends of adjacent rails in forming the assembly. Further, the rails  16  may be secured to the posts  12  in any convenient manner, such as screws, brackets, braces, etc. (not shown). As shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , the fence assembly may include a corner that connects to fence sections at an angle. As shown, a post member  12 C is provided inside of the assembly corner. In addition, a corner slat  50  is provided and is retained by a corner bracket  18 C. The corner slat  50  includes dimensions that define the angle of the corner and blend the slats  16  with the corner transition. The corner brackets  18 C surround the corner slat  50  and may provide extensions (not show) that permit the corner slat  50  to be secured to the corner post  12 C and/or the adjacent ends of the rails. As shown in  FIG. 6B , the rails are mounted by screws  48  that are directed through the back wall ( 38 ) of the rail  14  and into the post  12 C. (A similar mounting of the rails to the other posts is also contemplated.) The posts  12  are shown as having a square transverse profile, but may have other forms, such being round, oval, triangular, etc. 
     In  FIGS. 7-9 , there is shown a further embodiment of a bracket as contemplated by the present disclosure for forming a fence assembly. In  FIG. 7 , there is shown an alternate bracket form  118 . The bracket  118  includes a front or body portion  120 , two opposing extensions or arms  122  and two engagement ends  124 . The arms  122  connect to the engagement ends  124  by offset elements  52 . The offset elements  52  connect to spacer tabs  54 . As shown, the offset elements  52  are perpendicular to the arms  122 , with the spacer tabs  54  perpendicular to the offset elements  52 . The engagement structures of the engagement ends  124  are shown as being the same as those shown and described with respect to engagement ends  24  of bracket  18  of  FIG. 2 . 
     A slat retaining gap  146  is defined by the body  120 , the arms  122  and the offset elements  52 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the retaining gap  146  is spaced by the spacer tabs  54  from the engagement between the engagement ends  124  and the rail  14 . In  FIG. 9 , the brackets  118  are provided on a fence assembly  110  along with the brackets  18  of the form discussed above. The spacer tabs ( 54 ,  FIGS. 7 and 8 ) on the bracket  118  position the fence slats  16 A further away from the slats  16 B that are retained by the brackets  18 , which do not include a spacer. In  FIG. 9 , the two bracket forms  18 ,  118  are alternated along length of the rails  14  to provide a rising and falling or undulating fence surface. The offset elements ( 52 ,  FIGS. 7 and 8 ) in the brackets  118  create an overlap of the outward fence slats  16 A with the side edges of the inner fence slats  16 B, which are retained by the alternate bracket structure  18 . Further the length of the spacer tabs  54  may be set to provide a space between slats  16 A,  16 B at the overlapping edges, providing wind channels there between. 
     In  FIGS. 10-13 , there is shown a further embodiment of a bracket  218  as contemplated by the present disclosure in forming a fence assembly. In  FIG. 10 , the bracket  218  includes a front or body portion  220 , two opposing extensions or arms  222  and two engagement ends  224 . The arms  222  as shown directly connect to the engagement ends  224  in the manner contemplated by the bracket  18  of  FIG. 2 . It should be understood that offset elements and spacer tabs of the type shown in  FIG. 7  may also be provided with the features of the present bracket embodiment. The engagement structures of the engagement ends  224  of bracket  218  are different from those found in the prior discussed embodiments. The engagement ends  224  of bracket  218  are formed to permit the front assembly of the bracket  218  with the rail  14  as shown in  FIGS. 11-13 . 
     As shown in the side view of  FIG. 11 , the engagement ends  224  of the bracket  218  include two aligned engagement slots  226 ,  228  separated by a central portion  244 . The slots are formed for receipt of the front face members  42  of the elongated rail  14  (see  FIGS. 12 and 13 ). Forward of the slots  226 ,  228  are provided front tabs  230 A and  230 B having a desired form for purposes of the front mounting of bracket  218  on the rail  14 . Generally, the upper front tab  230 A is relatively shorter that the lower front tab  230 B. Rearward of the slots  226 ,  228  are provided rear tabs  232 A and  232 B, again, having a desired form for purposes of the front mounting of bracket  218  on the rail  14 . Generally, the upper rear tab  232 A is longer than the lower rear tab  232 B. In addition, the upper front tab  230 A is shorter than the adjacent rear tab  232 A. Similarly, the lower rear tab  232 B is shorter than the adjacent front tab  230 B. 
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , the bracket  218  is inserted into the channel  36  between the front face members  42 A,  42 B at an upward angle, as shown by the arrow. The upper face member  42 A is inserted into the upper slot  226 , with the shortened front tab  230 A providing clearance sufficient for the angled insertion of the bracket  218  into the channel  34 , without interference between the tab  230 A and the front face member  42 A. The lower rear tab  232 B is also permitted to move past the lower face member  42 B of the rail  14 . In addition, the angled or notched surface of tab  232 A may be provided for clearance with the rear wall  38  of the rail  14  for the insertion of the tab  232 A. In  FIG. 12 , the bracket  218  is rotated into the channel  36 , as shown by the arrow. The clearance created by the size or form of the lower rear tab  232 B permits the lower end of the engagement structure to move past the lower front face member  42 B of the rail  14  and into the interior hollow  34 . The lower rear tab  232 B may be provided with an angled edge or notch (similar to the angle shown on tab  232 A) to assist in creating clearance as the bracket is rotated into the channel  36 . The front tab members  230 A and  230 B are brought into engagement with the front surfaces of members  42 A and  42 B. In  FIG. 13 , the bracket  218  is moved downwardly, as shown by the provided arrow, to complete the engagement of the bracket  218  on the rail  14 . The upper rear tab  232 A is positioned behind the upper front face member  40 A, as is the lower rear tab  232 B. Further, the lower front tab  230 B is engaged with the lower face member  42 B of the rail  14 . Once the fence slat ( 16 ) is inserted into the retaining gap  246 , outward rotation of the bracket  218  will be retarded. However, if it is necessary to remove a slat ( 16 ) the bracket  218  may be manipulated for removal and subsequent replacement without the need to remove adjacent slats or brackets. 
     The brackets  18 ,  118  and  218  as shown are preferably formed out of galvanized steel. The bracket structure may be stamped from a planer sheet of desired thickness, with the stamped part bent to form the extensions and, if desired, the offsets and tabs. Preferably, the rails are similarly formed from galvanized steel. Alternatively, aluminum may be used to form either the brackets or rails. The slats and posts may be formed from aluminum, plastic, wood, etc. The posts are shown as having a square transverse profile. Round posts formed of aluminum or steel may be used, with other profiles not being excluded. An existing fence may be retrofit with the rail, bracket and slat structure, utilizing the existing posts and securing the rails thereto. The length and height of the fence sections may further be modified to meet the functional and aesthetic needs of the fence owner. 
     Various bracket forms and attachment means may be used to secure the rails to the posts. Predrilled holes and/or slots may be provided in the back wall ( 38 ) and/or the sidewalls ( 40 ) in the rails ( 14 ). The holes in the back wall of the rail would serve to reduce installation time, as the installer would already have holes/slots to put screws through to attach the rails to the posts. The holes in the top/bottom sidewalls may serve for water drainage or may be used for the attachment of additional structures on the top rail. Screws or other fasteners may also be used to fix the slats to the brackets. The fixed slats may then be retained at a desired position for maintaining a uniform position and/or a space between the bottom edge of the slats and the ground surface. Spacer members (not shown) may be provided between brackets to create a fixed opening between neighboring slats; for example, to create a picket fence formation. 
     If desired, the brackets and/or the rails may be painted or coated to create a more aesthetic appearance. Other design variations may include differences in the height of the brackets, such that different bracket rows have a different appearance. In addition, the rails and brackets may be modified to permit angling, creating a wave or curved pattern across the fence sections. 
     The present invention has been described and illustrated with respect to one or more exemplary embodiments. It should be understood by those skilled in the art from the foregoing that various other changes, omissions and additions may be made therein, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, with the scope of the invention being described by the foregoing claims.