Patent ID: 7121530

Claim:
A method of assembling a fence that includes posts and rails, the method comprising: providing a plurality of posts, a plurality of post brackets, first and second rail brackets, and a plurality of rails, each post bracket comprising a one-piece sheet metal member having an opening sized to receive therein one of the posts, a first projecting portion extending in one direction, a second projecting portion extending in another direction, two spaced apart edges, and at least one of: fastener openings each configured to receive a fastener for securing the post brackets to the posts, and barbs for securing the post brackets to the posts, the first rail bracket comprising a one-piece sheet metal member having a projecting portion, at least three rail engaging sides, and at least one of: fastener openings each configured to receive a fastener for securing the first rail bracket to one of the rails, and barbs for securing the first rail bracket to the one of the rails, and the second rail bracket comprising a one-piece sheet metal member having a projecting portion, at least three rail engaging sides, and at least one of: fastener openings each configured to receive a fastener for securing the second rail bracket to another of the rails, and barbs for securing the second rail bracket to the other of the rails; placing the plurality of posts in a ground so that the posts are spaced apart; sliding at least two of the plurality of post brackets over or onto each post; sliding the first rail bracket over or onto an end of the rail; sliding the second rail bracket over or onto an end of the other rail; positioning the projecting portion of the first rail bracket out past the end of the rail; positioning the projecting portion of the second rail bracket out past the end of the other rail; movably connecting or mounting the projecting portion of the first rail bracket to the first projecting portion of one of the post brackets; movably connecting or mounting the projecting portion of the second rail bracket to the second projecting portion of the one of the post brackets; securing each post bracket to each post with the barbs or fasteners, or both barbs and fasteners, inserted into the fastener openings of each post bracket; securing the first rail bracket to the rail with the barbs or fasteners, or both barbs and fasteners, inserted into the fastener openings of the first rail bracket; and securing the second rail bracket to the other rail with the barbs or fasteners, or both barbs and fasteners, inserted into the fastener openings of the second rail bracket.