METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONSTRUCTION WHEN VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL MEMBERS ARE USED
An apparatus including a first rail and a first locking strip, each having a first opening, and a first picket, having a first slot. The first locking strip may be inserted into the first rail so that the first openings of the first rail and the first locking strip align in a non locked state. At least part of the first picket may be inserted into the first openings of the first locking strip and the first rail, when the first openings of the first locking strip and the first rail are aligned in the non locked state. The first locking strip is configured to slide into a locked state in which part of the first locking strip is within the first slot of the first picket, while the first locking strip is within the first rail, and while the first picket is inserted in the first rail.
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This invention relates to improved methods and apparatus concerning construction when vertical and horizontal members are used, such as for constructing fences, railings and gates.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThere are various devices known in the prior art for constructing fences.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAt least one embodiment of the present application includes an apparatus comprising a first rail having a first opening, a first locking strip having a first opening, and a first picket having a first slot. The first locking strip may be configured to be at least partially inserted into an inner chamber of the first rail so that the first opening of the first rail aligns with the first opening of the first locking strip in a first state, which may be an open or non locked state. At least part of the first picket is configured to be inserted into the first opening of the first locking strip and into the first opening of the first rail, when the first opening of the first locking strip and the first opening of the first rail are aligned in the first, open, or non locked state. The first locking strip is configured to slide into a second or locked state in which part of the first locking strip is within the first slot of the first picket, while at least part of the first locking strip is inside the inner chamber of the first rail, and while at least part of the first picket is inside the inner chamber of the first rail.
The first rail may have first, second, and third sides. The first and third sides may be parallel to each other and perpendicular to the second side. The second side may have the first opening of the first rail. The first picket may be elongated such that the first picket has a length and a width, and the length of the first picket is substantially longer than the width. The first slot of the first picket may run the entire width of the first picket. The first slot of the first picket may run a distance along the length of the first picket which is substantially less than the width of the first picket. The first rail may have first and second internal ribs inside the inner chamber of the first rail which run the majority of the length of the first rail, and on which the first locking strip can slide inside the inner chamber of the first rail. The first and second internal ribs may be parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other. The first rail may have a length and a width, and the length of the first rail may be substantially greater than the width of the first rail. The first opening of the first locking strip may have a first part having a first width and a second part having a second width, wherein the first and the second width of the first locking strip are in the direction of the width of the first rail.
The apparatus may include one or more further pickets, each of which has a first slot; wherein the first rail has one or more further openings and the first locking strip has one or more further openings. The first locking strip may be configured to be at least partially inserted into the inner chamber of the first rail so that each of the first opening and the one or more further openings of the first rail align with one of the first opening and the one or more further openings of the first locking strip in the first, open, or unlocked state. At least part of the one or more further pickets is configured to be inserted into a corresponding opening of the one or more further openings of the first locking strip and a corresponding opening of the one or more further openings of the first rail, when each of the one or more further openings of the first locking strip and the corresponding one or more further openings of the first rail are aligned in the first state.
The first locking strip is configured to slide into the second or locked state in which part of the first locking strip is within each first slot of the first picket and each of the one or more further pickets, while at least part of the first locking strip is inside the inner chamber of the first rail, and while at least part of the first picket and the one or more further pickets is inside the inner chamber of the first rail.
The apparatus may further include a second rail, and a second locking strip. Each of the first picket and the one or more further pickets may have a second slot. The second rail may have a first opening and one or more further openings and the second locking strip may have a first opening and one or more further openings. The second locking strip may be configured to be at least partially inserted into an inner chamber of the second rail so that each of the first opening and the one or more further openings of the second rail align with one of the first opening and the one or more further openings of the second locking strip in a third state. At least part of the first picket and the one or more further pickets may be configured to be inserted into a corresponding opening of the first opening and the one or more further openings of the second locking strip and a corresponding opening of the first opening and the one or more further openings of the second rail, when each of the first opening and the one or more further openings of the second locking strip and the corresponding first opening and the one or more further openings of the second rail are aligned in the third, opened, or unlocked state. The second locking strip is configured to slide into a fourth or locked state in which part of the second locking strip is within each second slot of the first picket and each of the one or more further pickets, while at least part of the second locking strip is inside the inner chamber of the second rail, and while at least part of the first picket and the one or more further pickets is inside the inner chamber of the second rail.
The apparatus may further include a first post having a first opening, and a second locking strip having a first opening. The second locking strip may be configured to be inserted into an inner chamber of the first post so that the first opening of the first post is aligned with the first opening of the second locking strip in a third state, while at least part of the first rail is inserted into the first opening of the first post and the first opening of the second locking strip.
A method is also provided which may include inserting a first picket having a first slot into a first opening of a first rail and a first opening of a first locking strip in a first state, in which the first opening of the first rail and the first opening of the first locking strip are aligned; and sliding the first locking strip into a second state so that a part of the first locking strip lies in a first slot of the first picket and thereby inhibits removal of the first picket from the first rail. The first rail may have first, second, and third sides; and wherein the first and third sides may be parallel to each other and perpendicular to the second side; and wherein the second side has the first opening of the first rail. The first picket may be elongated such that the first picket has a length and a width, and the length of the first picket is substantially longer than the width; and wherein the first slot of the first picket runs the entire width of the first picket. The first slot of the first picket may run a distance along the length of the first picket which is substantially less than the width of the first picket.
The first rail may have first and second internal ribs inside the inner chamber of the first rail which run the majority of the length of the first rail, and on which the first locking strip can slide inside the inner chamber of the first rail; and wherein the first and second internal ribs are parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other.
The first rail may have a length and a width, and the length of the first rail is substantially greater than the width of the first rail; and wherein the first opening of the first locking strip has a first part having a first width and a second part having a second width, wherein the first and the second width of the first locking strip are in the direction of the width of the first rail.
The method may further include inserting one or more further pickets, each of which has a first slot, into one or more further openings of the first rail, and into one or more further openings of the first locking strip; and wherein the first locking strip is configured to be at least partially inserted into the inner chamber of the first rail so that each of the first opening and the one or more further openings of the first rail align with one of the first opening and the one or more further openings of the first locking strip in the first state; and wherein at least part of the one or more further pickets is configured to be inserted into a corresponding opening of the one or more further openings of the first locking strip and a corresponding opening of the one or more further openings of the first rail, when each of the one or more further openings of the first locking strip and the corresponding one or more further openings of the first rail are aligned in the first state; and wherein the first locking strip is configured to slide into the second state in which part of the first locking strip is within each first slot of the first picket and each of the one or more further pickets, while at least part of the first locking strip is inside the inner chamber of the first rail, and while at least part of the first picket and the one or more further pickets is inside the inner chamber of the first rail.
The method may further include inserting a second locking strip at least partially into a second rail, so that a first opening and one or more further openings of the second locking strip align with a first opening and one or more further openings of the second rail in a third state; and inserting at least part of the first picket and the one or more further pickets into the corresponding first opening and one or more further openings of the second rail and the second locking strip; wherein each of the first picket and the one or more further pickets has a second slot; and wherein at least part of the first picket and the one or more further pickets is configured to be inserted into a corresponding opening of the first opening and the one or more further openings of the second locking strip and a corresponding opening of the first opening and the one or more further openings of the second rail, when each of the first opening and the one or more further openings of the second locking strip and the corresponding first opening and the one or more further openings of the second rail are aligned in the third state. The second locking strip may be configured to slide into a fourth state in which part of the second locking strip is within each second slot of the first picket and each of the one or more further pickets, while at least part of the second locking strip is inside the inner chamber of the second rail, and while at least part of the first picket and the one or more further pickets is inside the inner chamber of the second rail.
The method may further include inserting a second locking strip into a first post; wherein the first post has a first opening; wherein the second locking strip has a first opening; and wherein the second locking strip is configured to be inserted into an inner chamber of the first post so that the first opening of the first post is aligned with the first opening of the second locking strip in a third state, while at least part of the first rail is inserted into the first opening of the first post and the first opening of the second locking strip.
The method may further include inserting a second locking strip into a first post; wherein the second locking strip has a first and a second opening; wherein the first post has a first and a second opening; wherein the second locking strip is configured to be inserted into an inner chamber of the first post so that the first and the second opening of the first post is aligned with the first and the second opening of the second locking strip in a third state, while at least part of the first and the second rails are inserted into the first and the second openings of the first post and the first and the second openings of the second locking strip, respectively.
The rail 1 includes sides 2, 4, and 6 which form a U-shape as shown in
The side 6 may have a protrusion or inner rail 6c, a protrusion or inner rail 6a, and a groove or indentation 6b as shown in
The rail 1 may be made entirely of a hard material, such as steel, other material such as aluminum, plastic, or composites or other fence material. The rail 1 may have an end 1a and an opposing end 1b, as shown in
The locking strip 10 includes top surface 12, rear surface 14, left edge 16, right edge 18, first end 10a, and second opposing end 10b. The locking strip 10 also includes a plurality of openings 20, which includes opening 20a. Each of the openings 20, including opening 20a may be identical and therefore only opening 20a will be described in detail. Opening 20a includes top semicircular portion 26a, a central rectangular portion 24a, and a bottom portion 22a. The top portion 26a may have a diameter D5, which may be about one quarter of an inch. The central portion 24a may have a length L4 of about one and one quarter inches, and a width W4 which may be about three quarters of an inch. The width W4 of the rectangular section 24a is preferably less than the width W6 of the picket 30, shown in
The slots 40 and 42 may have a dimension L7 along the length of the picket 30, shown in
The locking strip 10 may be replaced by a locking strip similar or identical to locking strip 260 having square or substantially square openings 264, 266, and 268, as shown in
There is a distance D2, which may be two inches, between each pair of the plurality of openings 20. The uniform distance D2 is used to allow the bottom openings of the openings 20 (such as bottom opening 22a of the opening 20a, and corresponding bottom openings for other openings of 20b-20k) to be aligned with the openings 8 of the rail 8. I.e. bottom openings of openings 20a-20j shown in
The locking strip 10 may be made of hard plastic or metal or any other material shaped in locking strip fashion.
The vertical member or picket 30 includes sides or walls 32, 34, 36, and 38. The picket 30 may be substantially in the form of a rectangular tube. However, the picket 30 may be, or may be replaced by a round picket, or solid picket, as long has typically the picket has notches or slots similar or identical to notches or slots 40 and 42.
The picket 30 has openings 44a and 44b at ends 31a and 31b respectively. The openings 44a and 44b lead to inner chamber 46 which is enclosed or substantially enclosed by walls 32, 34, 36, and 38. The picket 30 has slots 40 and 42. The slots 40 and 42 cut through the entire wall 36, and through about half of each of walls 38 and 34, in at least one embodiment. The slots 40a and 42 allow access to the inner chamber 46.
The picket 30 may be square hollow tube or a substantially square hollow tube, with the exception of slots 40 and 42, and the picket 30 may have a width W6 which is about one inch and which is slightly less than the length L1 of each of the openings 8a-8j of the rail 1 shown in
In
One or more rails, locking strips, and pickets, identical or analogous to rail 1, locking strip 10, and picket 30 may be used in a method for assembling fence, railing, window guards and or any other structure constructed using horizontal and vertical members, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.
The inner rails or protrusions 6c, 6a, 2c, and 2a, serve to strengthen the rail 1. The inner rails 6c and 2c define a channel and/or cavity along with wall 4 for locking strip 10 to pass through through to secure one or more vertical pickets, such as 30a-j and one or more horizontal rails, which may be identical or analogous to rail 1, creating a finished product.
The locking strip will be specifically designed with an opening to allow the vertical picket to slide through and an adjacent lock feature to secure the vertical pickets and horizontal rails into place creating a finished product when engaged.
The locking strip has a depth L6, shown in
In operation, in at least one embodiment, a plurality of horizontal rails, identical to rail 1, may be placed onto a flat surface, and a plurality of locking strips 10 may be slid up into the horizontal rail rib/cavity area or channel between wall 4 and inner rails 2c and 6c so that the holes 8a-8j on the horizontal metal rail 1 line up with the holes 20j-a in the locking strip 10 as shown in
The rail 220 also includes the protrusion or ribs 235 and 237. The rail 220 may be elongated with a length substantially greater than its width. The ribs 235 and 237 may run the entire length of the rail 220.
In operation, referring to
Similarly, or identically, an end of locking strip 260a nearest the opening 264a can be inserted into the opening 228a of the rail 220a shown in
Next, the pickets 330a-c may be inserted into the rails 220 and 220a. Ends 331a-c are inserted through the openings 264, 266, and 268 of the locking strip 260 and aligned openings 221, 223, and 225 of rail 220, respectively. Ends 332a-c are inserted through the openings 264a, 266a, and 268a of the locking strip 260a and aligned openings 221a, 223a, and 225a of rail 220a, respectively. The ends 331a-c and 332a-c are inserted so that parts of the locking strips 260 and 260a will be able to be slid into the slots 340a-c and 342a-c of the pickets 330a-c, respectively, to lock the pickets 330a-c in place so that they cannot move up in the direction U3 or down in the direction D13 as shown in
The ends 332a-c are inserted through the openings 221a, 223a, and 225a of the rail 220a and through the openings 264a, 266a, and 268a of the locking strip 260a in a similar or an identical manner as explained with reference to rail 220 and locking strip 260. The rail 220a and locking strip 260a is locked in place in a similar or identical manner with respect to pickets 330a-c as rail 220 and locking strip 260.
Referring to
After the locking strips 240 and 240a have been inserted in the previously described manner in the posts 201 and 201a, an end of the rail 220 is inserted into the opening 203, an opposing end of the rail 220 is inserted into an opening corresponding to 203 but for 201a (not shown), an end of the rail 220a is inserted into the opening 205 of the post 201, an opposing end of the rail 220a is inserted into a corresponding opening to opening 205, but for post 201a, not shown. The ends of the rails 220 and 220a (along with the ends of locking strips 260 and 260a) are also inserted through the appropriate openings of locking strips 240 and 240a which are aligned with openings of the posts 201 and 201a. For example, an end of rail 220 is inserted through opening 203 and through opening 244. An end of rail 220a is inserted through opening 205 and opening 246. The opposing end of rail 220 is inserted through opening 244a and opening of post 201a corresponding to opening 203. The opposing end of rail 220a is inserted through opening 246a and opening of post 201a corresponding to opening 205.
After the rails 220, 220a, locking strips 260 and 260a (not shown in
In operation, the rail 220 can be locked or engaged (within inner chamber 212 of post 201) by the locking strip 240 as shown by
In one or more embodiments the present invention there may be a plurality of further ribs or protrusions, like the ribs or protrusions 6c and 2c shown in
Although various openings, such including but not limited to openings 8a-8j of rail 1 shown in
The post 201 of
Although the invention has been described by reference to particular illustrative embodiments thereof, many changes and modifications of the invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to include within this patent all such changes and modifications as may reasonably and properly be included within the scope of the present invention's contribution to the art.
Claims
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a first rail having a first opening;
- a first locking strip having a first opening;
- a first picket having a first slot;
- wherein the first locking strip is configured to be at least partially inserted into an inner chamber of the first rail so that the first opening of the first rail aligns with the first opening of the first locking strip in a first state; and
- wherein at least part of the first picket is configured to be inserted into the first opening of the first locking strip and into the first opening of the first rail, when the first opening of the first locking strip and the first opening of the first rail are aligned in the first state;
- and wherein the first locking strip is configured to slide into a second state in which part of the first locking strip is within the first slot of the first picket, while at least part of the first locking strip is inside the inner chamber of the first rail, and while at least part of the first picket is inside the inner chamber of the first rail.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein
- the first rail has first, second, and third sides; and
- wherein the first and third sides are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the second side;
- and wherein the second side has the first opening of the first rail.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein
- the first picket is elongated such that the first picket has a length and a width, and the length of the first picket is substantially longer than the width;
- and wherein the first slot of the first picket runs the entire width of the first picket.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein
- and wherein the first slot of the first picket runs a distance along the length of the first picket which is substantially less than the width of the first picket.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein
- the first rail has first and second internal ribs inside the inner chamber of the first rail which run the majority of the length of the first rail, and on which the first locking strip can slide inside the inner chamber of the first rail; and
- wherein the first and second internal ribs are parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein
- the first rail has a length and a width, and the length of the first rail is substantially greater than the width of the first rail; and
- wherein the first opening of the first locking strip has a first part having a first width and a second part having a second width, wherein the first and the second width of the first locking strip are in the direction of the width of the first rail.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising
- one or more further pickets, each of which has a first slot; and
- and wherein the first rail has one or more further openings and the first locking strip has one or more further openings;
- wherein the first locking strip is configured to be at least partially inserted into the inner chamber of the first rail so that each of the first opening and the one or more further openings of the first rail align with one of the first opening and the one or more further openings of the first locking strip in the first state;
- and wherein at least part of the one or more further pickets is configured to be inserted into a corresponding opening of the one or more further openings of the first locking strip and a corresponding opening of the one or more further openings of the first rail, when each of the one or more further openings of the first locking strip and the corresponding one or more further openings of the first rail are aligned in the first state
- and wherein the first locking strip is configured to slide into the second state in which part of the first locking strip is within each first slot of the first picket and each of the one or more further pickets, while at least part of the first locking strip is inside the inner chamber of the first rail, and while at least part of the first picket and the one or more further pickets is inside the inner chamber of the first rail.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising
- a second rail;
- a second locking strip;
- wherein each of the first picket and the one or more further pickets has a second slot;
- and wherein the second rail has a first opening and one or more further openings and the second locking strip has a first opening and one or more further openings;
- wherein the second locking strip is configured to be at least partially inserted into an inner chamber of the second rail so that each of the first opening and the one or more further openings of the second rail align with one of the first opening and the one or more further openings of the second locking strip in a third state;
- and wherein at least part of the first picket and the one or more further pickets is configured to be inserted into a corresponding opening of the first opening and the one or more further openings of the second locking strip and a corresponding opening of the first opening and the one or more further openings of the second rail, when each of the first opening and the one or more further openings of the second locking strip and the corresponding first opening and the one or more further openings of the second rail are aligned in the third state;
- and wherein the second locking strip is configured to slide into a fourth state in which part of the second locking strip is within each second slot of the first picket and each of the one or more further pickets, while at least part of the second locking strip is inside the inner chamber of the second rail, and while at least part of the first picket and the one or more further pickets is inside the inner chamber of the second rail.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising
- a first post having a first opening; and
- a second locking strip having a first opening; and
- wherein the second locking strip is configured to be inserted into an inner chamber of the first post so that the first opening of the first post is aligned with the first opening of the second locking strip in a third state, while at least part of the first rail is inserted into the first opening of the first post and the first opening of the second locking strip.
10. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising
- a first post having a first and a second opening; and
- a second locking strip having a first and a second opening; and
- wherein the second locking strip is configured to be inserted into an inner chamber of the first post so that the first and the second opening of the first post is aligned with the first and the second opening of the second locking strip in a third state, while at least part of the first and the second rails are inserted into the first and the second openings of the first post and the first and the second openings of the second locking strip, respectively.
11. A method comprising
- inserting a first picket having a first slot into a first opening of a first rail and a first opening of a first locking strip in a first state, in which the first opening of the first rail and the first opening of the first locking strip are aligned; and
- sliding the first locking strip into a second state so that a part of the first locking strip lies in a first slot of the first picket and thereby inhibits removal of the first picket from the first rail.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein
- the first rail has first, second, and third sides; and
- wherein the first and third sides are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the second side;
- and wherein the second side has the first opening of the first rail.
13. The method claim 11 wherein
- the first picket is elongated such that the first picket has a length and a width, and the length of the first picket is substantially longer than the width;
- and wherein the first slot of the first picket runs the entire width of the first picket.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein
- the first slot of the first picket runs a distance along the length of the first picket which is substantially less than the width of the first picket.
15. The method of claim 11 wherein
- the first rail has first and second internal ribs inside the inner chamber of the first rail which run the majority of the length of the first rail, and on which the first locking strip can slide inside the inner chamber of the first rail; and
- wherein the first and second internal ribs are parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other.
16. The method of claim 11 wherein
- the first rail has a length and a width, and the length of the first rail is substantially greater than the width of the first rail; and
- wherein the first opening of the first locking strip has a first part having a first width and a second part having a second width, wherein the first and the second width of the first locking strip are in the direction of the width of the first rail.
17. The method of claim 11 further comprising
- inserting one or more further pickets, each of which has a first slot, into one or more further openings of the first rail, and into one or more further openings of the first locking strip; and
- wherein the first locking strip is configured to be at least partially inserted into the inner chamber of the first rail so that each of the first opening and the one or more further openings of the first rail align with one of the first opening and the one or more further openings of the first locking strip in the first state;
- and wherein at least part of the one or more further pickets is configured to be inserted into a corresponding opening of the one or more further openings of the first locking strip and a corresponding opening of the one or more further openings of the first rail, when each of the one or more further openings of the first locking strip and the corresponding one or more further openings of the first rail are aligned in the first state
- and wherein the first locking strip is configured to slide into the second state in which part of the first locking strip is within each first slot of the first picket and each of the one or more further pickets, while at least part of the first locking strip is inside the inner chamber of the first rail, and while at least part of the first picket and the one or more further pickets is inside the inner chamber of the first rail.
18. The method of claim 17 further comprising
- inserting a second locking strip at least partially into a second rail, so that a first opening and one or more further openings of the second locking strip align with a first opening and one or more further openings of the second rail in a third state;
- inserting at least part of the first picket and the one or more further pickets into the corresponding first opening and one or more further openings of the second rail and the second locking strip;
- wherein each of the first picket and the one or more further pickets has a second slot;
- and wherein at least part of the first picket and the one or more further pickets is configured to be inserted into a corresponding opening of the first opening and the one or more further openings of the second locking strip and a corresponding opening of the first opening and the one or more further openings of the second rail, when each of the first opening and the one or more further openings of the second locking strip and the corresponding first opening and the one or more further openings of the second rail are aligned in the third state;
- and wherein the second locking strip is configured to slide into a fourth state in which part of the second locking strip is within each second slot of the first picket and each of the one or more further pickets, while at least part of the second locking strip is inside the inner chamber of the second rail, and while at least part of the first picket and the one or more further pickets is inside the inner chamber of the second rail.
19. The method of claim 11 further comprising
- inserting a second locking strip into a first post;
- wherein the first post has a first opening;
- wherein the second locking strip has a first opening; and
- wherein the second locking strip is configured to be inserted into an inner chamber of the first post so that the first opening of the first post is aligned with the first opening of the second locking strip in a third state, while at least part of the first rail is inserted into the first opening of the first post and the first opening of the second locking strip.
20. The method of claim 18 further comprising
- inserting a second locking strip into a first post;
- wherein the second locking strip has a first and a second opening;
- wherein the first post has a first and a second opening;
- wherein the second locking strip is configured to be inserted into an inner chamber of the first post so that the first and the second opening of the first post is aligned with the first and the second opening of the second locking strip in a third state, while at least part of the first and the second rails are inserted into the first and the second openings of the first post and the first and the second openings of the second locking strip, respectively.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 2, 2014
Publication Date: Jan 22, 2015
Applicant: AMERICAN FENCE SYSTEM, INC. (South Plainfield, NJ)
Inventor: Jesus Molina (Martinsville, NJ)
Application Number: 14/505,091
International Classification: E04H 17/14 (20060101);