Patent Description:
Exemplary embodiments of fence accessories of the prior art are disclosed in <CIT> and <CIT>. According to the <CIT>, filed in State Intellectual Property Office of the People's Republic of China by the inventor of the present application, a fence accessory (e.g., an ornamental piece or a decorative piece) has at least two ornament bodies, and a connecting device bridging two adjacent ornament bodies, with the two ends of the connecting device joining the adjacent ornament bodies respectively. On the connecting device, an installing slot and a connecting cover plate are formed. One side of the connecting cover plate is attached to the side areas of the installing slot. The shape of the side areas of the installing slot can be a rectangular concave hole or a T-shaped concave slot. Correspondingly, to the two ends of the connecting cover plate, a bulge (e.g., a convex portion) in a rectangular shape or a T-shape can be formed. In (e.g., inside) the concave hole of the side areas of the installing slot of the ornament bodies, inner clasp can be designed to be buckled (e.g., to lock or to match) with the bulge of the connecting cover plate. For this kind of fence accessory, the special connecting cover plate is needed.

Aspects according to one or more embodiments of the present invention are directed toward a fence accessory, a method of utilizing the same and a fence including the fence accessory.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a fence accessory according to appended claim <NUM> is provided.

Each of the first connecting part and the second connecting part may include a hook and a slot at two opposing sides of the first connecting part and the second connecting part. The hook of the first connecting part of one ornament body is configured to connect to (e.g., to be locked inside) the slot of the second connecting part of an adjacent ornament body.

The fence accessory may further include a capping block configured to lock with the first connecting part or the second connecting part of an ornament body of the at least two ornament bodies around a fence bar, e.g., an outermost fence bar.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method according to appended claim <NUM> is provided.

The method may further include attaching the first connecting part of the second ornament body to a second fence bar of the plurality of fence bars; and attaching the second connecting part of a third ornament body of the plurality of ornament bodies to the second fence bar such that the first connecting part of the second ornament body and the second connecting part of the third ornament body lock with each other with the second fence bar therebetween.

The method may further include attaching the second connecting part of a fourth ornament body of the plurality of ornament bodies to an outermost fence bar, and attaching a capping block to the outermost fence bar such that the second connecting part of the fourth ornament body locks with the capping block with the third fence bar therebetween.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a fence includes a plurality of fence bars; and a fence accessory according to appended claim <NUM>. The fence accessory includes at least two ornament bodies, each of the at least two ornament bodies including a first connecting part and a second connecting part at two opposing ends thereof. The first connecting part of one of the at least two ornament bodies and the second connecting part of an other one of the at least two ornament bodies are configured to be connected to a fence bar of the plurality of fence bars and clamped together as one unit.

The fence accessory according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure directly connects the connecting parts of the ornament bodies, and installs capping blocks at both ends of the ornament chain (e.g., a series of ornament bodies). Compared with related art utilizing a separate cover plate, the fence accessory according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure can save a lot of working hours during the assembly stage.

It is noted that the arrangements depicted in <FIG>; <FIG>; <FIG>; <FIG>; and <NUM> do not form part of the claimed invention and are included for illustration purposes only. In the drawings, some of the reference numerals are:
<NUM>-the first ornament body, <NUM>-vertical bar, <NUM>-the second ornament body, <NUM>-capping block, 5A-the first connecting part, 5B-the second connecting part, 6A-hook of the second connecting part, 6B-slot of the second connecting part, 7A-hook of the first connecting part, 7B-slot of the first connecting part, <NUM>-ornament body, <NUM>-connecting part, 12A-hook of the connecting part, 12B-slot of the connecting part, 13A-hook of the capping block, 13B-slot of the capping block.

Reference will now be made in more detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. Further, the use of "may" when describing embodiments of the present invention refers to "one or more embodiments of the present invention. " It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising" used herein specify the presence of the stated features or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features or components.

Aspects of the present invention will be described in more detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Like reference numerals in the drawings denote like elements. Sizes of components in the drawings may be exaggerated for convenience of explanation. In other words, since sizes and thicknesses of components in the drawings are arbitrarily illustrated for convenience of explanation, the following embodiments are not limited thereto.

Referring to <FIG>, a fence accessory includes at least two ornament bodies <NUM> and <NUM>. A first connecting part 5A and a second connecting part 5B are installed at two opposing ends of each of the ornament bodies <NUM> and <NUM>. The first connecting part 5A of one ornament body (e.g., ornament body <NUM>) and the second connecting part 5B of an adjacent ornament body (e.g., ornament body <NUM>) are connected to the vertical bar <NUM> (e.g., vertical fence bar) and clamped (e.g., locked) together as one unit. For example, when the first connecting part 5A of ornament body <NUM> and the second connecting part 5B of ornament body <NUM> are clamped together with the vertical fence bar <NUM> in the middle, the outer contour (e.g., the cross section) of the vertical fence bar <NUM> matches with the shape (e.g., the cross section) of the opening formed by the combination of the first and second ornament bodies. The first connecting part 5A of ornament body <NUM>, the second connecting part 5B of ornament body <NUM>, the vertical fence bar <NUM> are tightly bound together and not able to move relative to one another. This configuration is repeated between adjacent ornament bodies until all ornament bodies are connected together, e.g., to form an ornament chain. For the outmost first connecting part 5A' and second connecting part 5B' (i.e., the connecting part that is located at the end of the ornament chain without an adjacent connecting part to be clamped with), they each are clamped to a single capping block <NUM>, respectively.

Moreover, referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a hook 7A and a slot 7B are installed (e.g., formed) at two opposing sides of the first connecting part 5A, and a hook 6A and a slot 6B are installed (e.g., formed) at two opposing sides of the second connecting part 5B. Here, the hook 7A and the slot 7B may be separated from each other by a distance such that the vertical fence bar can be accommodated there between. For example, the first connecting part 5A may have a U-shape with the hook 7A and the slot 7B formed at the outer edges of the two legs of the U, and the vertical fence bar is to be accommodated in the space defined by the U-shape. For example, when the vertical fence bar has a rectangular cross section, the first connecting part 5A of ornament body <NUM> and the second connecting part 5B of ornament body <NUM> clamp together to form a rectangular shaped space in the middle that fits snugly around the fence bar. However, the present invention is not limited thereto and any suitable design of the connecting part may be utilized.

The hook 7A of the first connecting part 5A of one ornament body (e.g., the first ornament body <NUM>) connects to (e.g., is configured to be locked inside) the slot 6B of the second connecting part 5B of an adjacent ornament body (e.g., the second ornament body <NUM>). Here, the hook 7A is inserted (e.g., through compression on or squeezing of the hook) into the slot 6B of an adjacent connecting part and is locked inside the slot 6B so that it does not slip out of the slot 6B. The capping block may have a structure resembling that of the first connecting part or the second connecting part of the ornament body to be locked with the second connecting part or the first connecting part of a corresponding ornament body.

With the above described structure, the fence accessory according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure directly connects the connecting parts of neighboring accessory bodies, rather than utilizing separate cover plates. Further, capping blocks are provided at both ends of the accessory chain. Therefore, assembling the presently described fence accessories on the fence is convenient and can save a lot of working hours.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of assembling fence accessories on a fence includes providing a plurality of ornament bodies including a first ornament body <NUM> and a second ornament body <NUM>, where a first connecting part 5A and a second connecting part 5B are installed (e.g., formed) at two opposing ends of each of the ornament bodies <NUM> and <NUM>. The method further includes attaching the first connecting part 5a of the first ornament body <NUM> to a vertical fence bar <NUM>, and (e.g., concurrently or sequentially) attaching the second connecting part 5B of the second ornament body <NUM> to the same vertical fence bar <NUM> such that the first connecting part 5A of the first ornament body <NUM> and the second connecting part 5B of the second ornament body <NUM> lock with each other with the vertical fence bar <NUM> tightly fit inside a space formed in the middle of the locked first connecting part 5A of the first ornament body <NUM> and the second connecting part 5B of the second ornament body <NUM>. For example, the fence bar, the first connecting part 5A of the first ornament body <NUM> and the second connecting part 5B of the second ornament body <NUM> are not able to move relative to one another. The method further includes attaching the first connecting part of an ornament body to an outermost vertical fence bar, and attaching a capping block such that the first connecting part 5A of this ornament body locks with the capping block with the outermost vertical fence bar tightly fit inside a space formed in the middle of the locked first connecting part 5A and the capping block.

Referring to <FIG>, an assembled fence includes a plurality of vertical fence bars <NUM>, and an ornament body (<NUM> or <NUM>) between two adjacent vertical fence bars. The ornament body includes a first connecting part 5A and a second connecting part 5B at two opposing ends of the ornament body. The first connecting part 5A of one ornament body and the second connecting part 5B of an adjacent ornament body are connected to the vertical fence bar <NUM> and clamped together as one unit. For example, when the first connecting part 5A of ornament body <NUM> and the second connecting part 5B of ornament body <NUM> are clamped together with the vertical fence bar <NUM> in the middle, the outer contour of the vertical fence bar <NUM> matches with the opening formed by the combination of the first and second ornament bodies. This configuration is repeated between adjacent ornament bodies. For the outmost first connecting part 5A' and second connecting part 5B' (i.e., the connecting part that is located at the end of the ornament chain without an adjacent connecting part to be clamped with), they each are clamped to a single capping block <NUM>, respectively.

While ornament bodies having a first connecting part and a second connecting part installed at two opposing ends thereof have been described, the present invention is not limited thereto. According to an embodiment, an ornament body may include a single connecting part that is configured to be clamped with a capping block. The single connecting part may be located in the middle or toward a side of the ornament body.

<FIG> illustrate a fence accessory assembly including an ornament body having a single connecting part. Referring to <FIG>, a fence accessory includes an ornament body <NUM>. The ornament body <NUM> includes a single connecting part <NUM> installed in the middle thereof. The connecting part <NUM> of the ornament body <NUM> is connected to the vertical bar <NUM> (e.g., vertical fence bar) and clamped (e.g., locked) together with a capping block <NUM> to enclose the vertical fence bar <NUM> in the middle, the outer contour (e.g., the cross section) of the vertical fence bar <NUM> matches with the shape (e.g., the cross section) of the opening formed by the combination of the ornament body <NUM> and the capping block <NUM>. This configuration is repeated for each targeted fence bar to form an accessory chain.

Further, referring to <FIG>, a hook 12A and a slot 12B are formed at two opposing sides of the connecting part <NUM>, and a hook 13A and a slot 13B are formed at two opposing sides of the capping block <NUM>. Here, the hook 12A and the slot 12B may be separated from each other by a distance such that the vertical fence bar can be accommodated there between. For example, the connecting part <NUM> may have a U-shape with the hook 12A and the slot 12B formed at the outer edges of the two legs of the U, and the vertical fence bar is to be accommodated in the space defined by the U-shape. For example, when the vertical fence bar has a rectangular cross section, the connecting part <NUM> of ornament body <NUM> and the capping block <NUM> clamp together to form a rectangular shaped space in the middle that fits snugly (e.g., under an interference fit) around the fence bar. However, the present invention is not limited thereto and any suitable design of the connecting part may be utilized.

The hook 12A of the connecting part <NUM> of the ornament body <NUM> connects to (e.g., is configured to be locked inside) the slot 13B of the capping block <NUM>. Here, the hook 12A is inserted (e.g., through compression on or squeezing of the hook) into the slot 13B of the capping block and is locked inside the slot 13B so that it does not slip out of the slot 13B.

The fence accessory may have various suitable designs. <FIG> show various views of a butterfly shaped fence accessory according to one embodiment of the present invention. <FIG> show various views of a capping block according to one embodiment of the present invention. <FIG> show various views of a diamond shaped ornament body according to one embodiment of the present invention. <FIG> show various views of a ring shaped ornament body according to one embodiment of the present invention.

<FIG> schematically illustrate a process of assembling a diamond shaped fence accessory. <FIG> schematically illustrate a process of assembling a ring shaped fence accessory. <FIG> schematically illustrate a process of assembling a butterfly shaped fence accessory.

By way of example, referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, an assembled fence includes a plurality of vertical fence bars, and an ornament body on each of (all or a set number of) the plurality of vertical fence bars. The ornament body includes a connecting part. The connecting part of the ornament body and a capping block are connected to the vertical fence bar and clamped together as one unit. This configuration is repeated on all or the set number of the vertical fence bars.

Referring again to <FIG>, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of assembling fence accessories on a fence includes attaching an ornament body <NUM> to a vertical fence bar <NUM>, the ornament body <NUM> including a connecting part <NUM>, and attaching a capping block <NUM> to the connecting part <NUM> such that the connecting part <NUM> of the ornament body <NUM> and the capping block lock with each other with the vertical fence bar <NUM> tightly fit inside a space formed in the middle of the locked connecting part <NUM> of the ornament body <NUM> and the capping block <NUM>.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a fence accessory may include an opening configured to lock with a fence bar. <FIG> show various views of a fence accessory according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in <FIG>, the fence accessory may include an outer wall 38A and an inner wall 38B, and an opening 38C formed between the outer wall 38A and the inner wall 38B.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of assembling a fence accessory includes attaching the fence accessory to a fence bar, wherein the fence accessory includes an opening configured to be locked with the fence bar. As shown in <FIG>, during assembly, the opening 38C accommodates and fits the wall of a hollow fence bar to thereby attach the accessory with the fence bar.

It should be understood that the example embodiments described therein should be considered in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. For example, while a vertical fence bar has been described in association with the fence accessories, the present invention is not limited thereto. In one embodiment, the accessories according to embodiments of the present disclosure are applied between a plurality of horizontal fence bars. Further, while certain design of the fence accessories have been illustrated in the drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto and various suitable designs may be utilized as the fence accessory.

Claim 1:
A fence accessory comprising:
at least two ornament bodies (<NUM>, <NUM>), each of the at least two ornament bodies (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprising a first connecting part (5A) and a second connecting part (5B) at two opposing ends thereof,
wherein the first connecting part (5A) of one of the at least two ornament bodies (<NUM>, <NUM>) and the second connecting part (5B) of another one of the at least two ornament bodies (<NUM>, <NUM>) are configured to be connected to a fence bar and clamped together as one unit, characterised in that the first connecting part (5A) and the second connecting part (5B) of each of the at least two ornament bodies (<NUM>, <NUM>) are mirror image of each other.