Modular fencing system

Abstract

A modular fencing system having retainers connected to the end portions of the rails for connecting the rails to the fence posts. Further, a fencing system having a fence section and a sliding gate slidably attached to the fence section. Still further, a fencing system having at least one electrical conductor at least partially embedded in the fence rails which is operative for providing a safe but uncomfortable electric shock when contacted.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/646,138, filed on Jan. 21, 2005, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to fencing systems and more particularly, to modular fencing systems for confining horses and other animals to a desired area.

BACKGROUND

Modular fencing systems are well known in the art and typically include a plurality of posts which are mounted in the ground and one or more rails which extend between the posts. A modular fencing system may be used to provide a confined area for horses or other animals, and may include electrically energized wires that enable the horses or other animals to quickly learn that the fence sets the boundary. Furthermore, a modular fencing system may be oriented in many different configurations and are generally mounted permanently in either gravel or in concrete.

The posts and rails of modular fencing systems may be made from an extruded plastic material such as high density polyethylene (HDPE). Modular fencing systems made from HDPE can be had in a variety of colors with posts and rails extruded in different cross-sectional shapes, and are typically of low maintenance. Moreover, the extruded HDPE posts and rails have high impact and flex strength which permit the fencing system to absorb impact without shattering, cracking, or splintering, even at temperatures well below freezing. Finally, the HDPE posts and rails are generally non-toxic and therefore often safe for animals which may attempt to eat the posts or rails of the fencing system.

While current modular fencing systems are well suited for their intended uses, they are nevertheless susceptible to certain improvements. For example, the long-term durability of the HDPE posts and rails may be limited to less than ten years in harsher environments due to cracking, rail sagging, and color fading over time. In addition, the hardware used for assembling the rails to the posts and connecting the electrically energizable wires (used in electric safety fence versions of such modular fencing systems) makes fence assembly more time consuming than it should be.

Accordingly, there is a need for a modular fencing system that has increased long-term durability and which is easier and quicker to assemble.

SUMMARY

One embodiment is a fencing system comprising a fence section and first and second retainers. The fence section of the system comprises first and second fence posts, a first rail extending between the first and second fence posts, the first rail having first and second opposing end portions, the first end portion extending through an opening in the first fence post and the second end portion extending through an opening in the second fence post. The first retainer of the system is connected to the first end portion of the first rail and the second retainer of the system is connected to the second end portion of the first rail, thereby connecting the first rail to the first and second fence posts.

Another embodiment is a fencing system comprising a fence section and a sliding gate slidably attached to the fence section.

Still another embodiment is a fencing system comprising a first fence section comprising first and second fence posts, a first fence rail extending between the first and second fence posts, and at least one electrical conductor at least partially embedded in the fence rail. The at least one electrical conductor is operative for providing a safe but uncomfortable electric shock when contacted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of one of the fence sections of a modular fencing system.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of an exemplary embodiment of a sliding gate with side sections of the fence/gate posts removed.

FIG. 3A is an elevational sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a fence post.

FIG. 3B is an elevational sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of the fence post.

FIG. 3C is a sectional view through line 3C-3C of FIG. 3B.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are elevational sectional views showing exemplary embodiments of fence posts used with a corresponding sliding gate.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are elevational sectional views showing exemplary embodiments of gates posts for a sliding gate.

FIG. 6 is an elevational view in partial section, of an exemplary embodiment of a fence post cap.

FIG. 7 is a transverse sectional view through an exemplary embodiment of a fence/gate post and/or fence/gate rail.

FIG. 8A is a partial longitudinal sectional view through a fence/gate rail comprising an exemplary embodiment of an electrical shocking system.

FIG. 8B is a partial longitudinal sectional view through a fence/gate rail comprising another exemplary embodiment of the electrical shocking system.

FIGS. 9A-9D collectively illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a retaining rod, wherein FIG. 9A is an exploded side view, FIG. 9B is a side view, and FIGS. 9C and 9D are end views.

FIG. 10 is an elevational sectional view through a fence post and end portions of three rails illustrating an exemplary use of the retaining rod.

FIGS. 11A-11D collectively illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a retaining pin, wherein FIG. 11A is a side view, FIGS. 11B and 11D are end views, and FIG. 11C is a sectional view through line 11C-11C in FIG. 11A.

FIG. 12 is an elevational sectional view through a fence post and an end portion of a rail illustrating an exemplary use of the retaining pin.

FIGS. 13A and 13B collectively illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a pin strap retainer, wherein FIG. 13A is a plan view and FIG. 13 is a side elevational view.

FIGS. 14A and 14B are side elevational, sectional views through a fence post and an end portion of a rail illustrating an exemplary use of the pin strap retainer.

FIGS. 15A-15F collectively illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a twist wire connector, wherein FIG. 15A is a side elevational view, FIG. 15B is an end elevational view, FIG. 15C is a top plan view, FIG. 15D is a bottom plan view, FIG. 15E is sectional view through line 15E-15E of FIG. 15C, and FIG. 15F is an end elevational view illustrating an exemplary use of the twist wire connector.

FIG. 16 is a side elevational view illustrating a fence post (shown in longitudinal cross-section) connecting rails from two adjacent fence sections.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A modular fencing system for horse and animal containment, and other applications, is disclosed herein. A first aspect of the modular fencing system are the fence sections of the fencing system. An exemplary embodiment of one of the fence sections is shown in FIG. 1 and denoted generally by reference numeral 100. As shown, the fence section 100 comprises two hollow posts 110 and three hollow rails 120 extending between the posts 110.

As shown in the sectional view of FIG. 3A, the fence posts 110 may include one or more pairs of openings 111 for respectively receiving end portions of the rails 120. Each pair of openings 111 may be opposite to one another as shown in FIG. 3A to provide straight lengths of fencing, or at an angle to one another to allow the fencing system to turn or change direction, as shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C.

The fence posts 110 may be installed by simply embedding them in the ground. This is possible due to the hollow construction of the posts 110. The hollow construction of the posts 110 along with the nonporous and self lubricating properties of the post material, as will be described further on, prevents them from being lifted out from the ground by frost heaves. If desired, the fence posts 110 may also be installed in the ground using other suitable and appropriate post securing methods, such as embedding the posts in cement.

Another aspect of the modular fencing system is a sliding gate. An exemplary embodiment of the sliding gate is shown in FIG. 2 and denoted generally by reference numeral 200. One or more sliding gates 200 may be provided in the fencing system to gain access to an interior area bounded by the system. Each sliding gate 200 may be provided in a fence opening 260 defined between first gate opening fence post 110.1 of first fence section 100.1 and second gate opening fence post 110.2 of second fence section 100.2 of the fencing system. In some exemplary embodiments, the sliding gate 200 may comprise an outer gate post 210.1, an inner gate post 210.2 and three rails 220 extending between the outer and inner gate posts 210.1 and 210.2. The gate posts 210.1, 210.2 and the gate rails 220 may be hollow like the fence posts 110, 110.1, 110.2 and fence rails 120, 120.1, 120.2. The second gate opening fence post 110.2 slidingly attaches the sliding gate 200 and allows the gate 200 to slide between a closed position where the gate 200 is within and blocking the fence opening 260 and an open position where the gate 200 does is not within the fence opening 260. The ends of the gate rails 220 may extend through the outer gate post 210.1 into the first gate opening fence post 110.1 to interlock therewith when the gate 200 is in a closed position.

Referring to the cross-sectional view of FIG. 4A, the first gate opening fence post 110.1 may include openings 111.1 for respectively receiving the end portions of the rails 120.1 of the first fence section 100.1 (FIG. 2) and openings 111.1′, which are vertically offset from the openings 111.1, for respectively receiving the end portions of the gate rails 220 in an interlocking manner.

Referring to the cross-sectional view of FIG. 4B, the second gate opening fence post 110.2 may include openings 111.2 for respectively receiving the end portions of the rails 120.2 of the second fence section 100.2 (FIG. 2). Opposing bearing openings 112 may be provided for slidably receiving therethrough the gate rails 220 of the sliding gate 200.

Referring to the cross-sectional view of FIG. 5A, the outer gate post 210.1 of the sliding gate 200 may include opposing openings 211.1 for respectively receiving the first end portions of the gate rails 220 of the gate 200 (FIG. 2).

Referring to the cross-sectional view of FIG. 5B, the inner gate post 210.2 may include openings 211.2 for respectively receiving the second end portions of the gate rails 220 (FIG. 2). Opposing bearing openings 212 may be provided for sliding on the second fence rails 120.2.

The fence posts 110, 110.1, 110.2, the fence rails 120, 120.1, 120.2, the gate posts 210.1, 210.2 and the gate rails 220 (hereinafter posts and rails) may be formed to any suitable and appropriate length. In some exemplary embodiments, the posts and the rails may each have a circular transverse cross-sectional shape to make it difficult for the horse or animal to solidly land a kick on the fence system. In such embodiment, the posts may each have an outer diameter of about 5.30 inches and the rails may each have an outer diameter of about 3.0 inches, which provide good visibility for the horse or other animal. In other exemplary embodiments, the posts and the rails may be constructed in other suitable and appropriate diameters, and may have other transverse cross-sectional shapes including, without limitation, oval, rectangular, square, hexagonal, irregular, and the like.

Various embodiments of the posts and the rails can be concurrently used in the fencing system. In addition, the fencing system may have a greater (e.g. 4 or more rails) or lesser number of rails (e.g. 2 rails) than shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, depending on the desired height of the fencing system.

In some exemplary embodiments, as shown in FIG. 7 the posts and the rails may be fabricated as co-extrusions comprising an inner plastic layer 300, which forms the main wall of each of the posts and the rails, and a thin, outer plastic layer 310 that protects the main wall of each of the posts and the rails. In various exemplary embodiments, the inner plastic layer 300 may comprise a UV stable, high impact, high density polyethylene (HDPE), and the outer layer 310 may comprise an alloy blend of polycarbonate (PC) and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT). Any suitable polymer color forming agent, which provides a white, black, blue, brown, etc. color, may be added to one or both of the resins used to form the inner and outer layers 300 and 310 to color the posts and rails of the fencing system so that the fencing system does not require painting. Scratches will not reveal another color in embodiments where the color forming agent is added to the resins used for forming both the inner and outer layers 300 and 310 of the posts and the rails, because the color forming agent is mixed throughout the resins. In some exemplary embodiments, the inner layer 300 has a thickness T_inner of about 0.110 inches and the outer layer 310 has a thickness T_outer of about 0.030 inches. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the inner layer 300 and/or the outer layer 310 may be other thicknesses.

The HDPE inner “wall” layer 300 provides the posts and the rails with high impact strength, even at low temperatures to prevent cracking, shattering, and splintering. The PC/PBT protective outer coating layer 310 also has excellent low temperature (subzero ° F.) impact strength. In addition, the PC/PBT protective outer coating layer 310 retains its color, thereby resisting fading, provides improved weather-ability for longer life, and provides improved heat resistance, which prevents the rails from sagging. Furthermore, the non-porous and self-lubricating properties of PC/PBT outer layer 310 and the hollow post construction allow the posts to resist heaving (as mentioned earlier). Still further, the self-lubricating PC/PBT outer layer 310 prevents ice from sticking to the posts and the rails.

One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the posts and rails may also be made from other suitable and appropriate materials and manufactured using other or correspondingly suitable and appropriate forming techniques.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, a cap 170 may be provided for closing off the open upper end of posts. As shown in FIG. 6, some exemplary embodiments of the cap 170 may comprise a dome-like cover 171 and a cylindrical skirt 173 depending from a bottom surface 172 of the cover 171. The outer diameter of the skirt 172 may be dimensioned to slip-fit into the open end of the corresponding post, to retain the cap 170 to the post. The caps 170 may be fabricated from any suitable and appropriate material, such as plastic or the PC/PBT alloy used for forming the posts and the rails.

A further aspect of the modular fencing system is an electrical shocking system. In some exemplary embodiments, as generally shown in FIG. 1, the electrical shocking system may comprise a conductor pair 330 of two closely spaced, electrical conductors 331 and 332 (FIG. 8A) at least partially embedded into the outer surface of at least one of the fence rails 120 of each fence section 100, and a conventional electric fence power supply (not shown) for electrically energizing the conductor pair 330. The conductor pair 330 and power supply form an electrical shocking circuit wherein one of the two conductors 331 and 332 comprises a “hot” conductor of the circuit, i.e., carries an electric potential supplied by the power supply, and the other one of the two conductors 331 and 332 comprises a ground conductor of the circuit. As shown in FIG. 8A, the conductors 331 and 332 of the conductor pair 330 are partially embedded into the outer surface of the rails so that they are parallel to one another and wind around the rails in a spiral manner. The ends of the conductors 331, 332 extend beyond the ends of the rail 120 to allow the conductors 331, 332 to be connected to corresponding conductors 331, 332 of a corresponding rail (FIG. 16). In various exemplary embodiments, the conductor pair 330 wind around the fence rail 120 about every three inches, thereby making it easy for the horse or other animal to see the boundary defined by the fencing system 100.

The power supply is constructed to provide a voltage and current which energizes the conductors 331 and 332 of the conductor pair 330 in manner that will provide the horse or other animal with a safe but uncomfortable electric shock when the horse or other animal contacts the both conductors 331, 332. After a few encounters with the embedded electrical shocking system, the horse or other animal quickly learns the fencing system sets the boundary. The embedded electrical shocking system also trains the horse or other animal not to chew, crib or lean on the fencing system.

In alternative embodiments, as shown in FIG. 8B, the electrical shocking system may comprise a single conductor 340 at least partially embedded into the outer surface of at least one of the fence rails 120 of each fence section 100, and a power supply (not shown) connected to the conductor 340 and to ground. The conductor 340 in this embodiment operates as a “hot” conductor. When the horse or other animal contacts the single conductor 340, the horse or other animal operates to ground the circuit, i.e., a circuit is formed between the conductor 340 and the ground surface on which the horse or animal stands.

The conductors 331, 332, 340 of the electrical shocking system may comprise any thin, bare, electrically conductive single or multi-strand wire, cable and line. In some exemplary embodiments, the conductors 331, 332, 340 may each comprise a stainless steel wire having a thickness T_wire of about 0.020 inches.

In embodiments where the rails are co-extruded from HDPE and PC/PBT, the conductors 331, 332, 340 may be at least partially embedded into the outer PC/PBT resin layer 310 of the rails, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B. Because the conductors 331, 332, 340 are spirally wound around the rails, they are not placed in tension and are easily seen by horses and other animals. If a horse or animal should try to run through the rails of the fencing system, the un-tensioned, spirally wound conductors are less likely to injure the horse or animal.

Although not shown, in some embodiments, the sliding gate 200 shown in FIG. 2 may be provided with the electrical shocking system described above.

Yet another aspect of the modular fencing system is a rail-to-post retaining system for facilitating easy installation of the fencing system of the invention and preventing the ends of the rails from being withdrawn through the openings of the posts after the fencing system has been assembled. In some exemplary embodiments, the rail-to-post retaining system may comprise a retaining rod 400 as collectively shown in FIGS. 9A-9D. The retaining rods allow quick and easy assembly and disassembly of the rails to the posts of the fencing system, as will become apparent farther on. As shown in FIGS. 9A-9D, the retaining rod 400 may comprise a tubular body 410 of a length which allows it to extend through all the rails, as shown in FIG. 10. A T-shape stop member 420 may be coupled to a first open end 411 of the tubular body 410, and a pointed tip 430 may be coupled to a second open end 412 of the tubular body 410. The stop member 420 may comprise a disc-like head 421 having a top surface 422 and an opposing bottom surface 423. An abutment flange 424 may be disposed on the bottom surface 423 of the head 421 and a plug 425 extending from the abutment flange 424. The plug 425 attaches the stop member 420 to the tubular body 410. The plug 425 may be dimensioned to be press-fitted into the first open end 411 of the tubular body 410 to retain the stop member 420 to the body 410. An adhesive may be used in addition to or instead of the press-fit securing arrangement. The tip 430 may comprise a cone-shape head 431 and a plug 432 centrally disposed and extending from a bottom surface portion 433 of the tip head 431. The plug 432 may be dimensioned to be press-fitted into the second open end 412 of the tubular body 410 to retain the tip 430 to the body 410. An adhesive may be used in addition to or instead of the press-fit securing arrangement. The tubular body 410, the stop member 420 and the tip 430 may be made of any suitable and appropriate material, such as plastic, using any suitable and appropriate forming technique.

As shown in FIG. 10, the rails 120 may be easily assembled to a respective post 110 using the retaining rod 400. Specifically, the ends of the rails 120 are inserted through the openings of their respective post 110. The rails 120 are rotated so that opposing apertures 121 and 122 disposed adjacent the ends of the rails 120 are vertically aligned. The retaining rod 400 may then be inserted through the vertically aligned apertures 121, 122 in the rail ends such that the stop member 420 of the rod 400 rests on the top one of the rails 120 with the pointed tip 430 facing downward. In this manner, the stop member 420 prevents the retaining rod 400 from falling through the apertures 121, 122 in the rails. The retaining rod 400 retains the ends of the rails 120 within the post 110.

In other exemplary embodiments, the rail-to-post retaining system may comprise a retaining pin 500, as collectively shown in FIGS. 11A-11D. The retaining pin 500 may comprise a unitarily formed member having a solid body 510 with a generally cylindrical outer surface 511 having a planar first end surface 520 and a pointed or tapered second end surface 530. A stop flange 540 projects radially outward from the body 510. The stop flange 540 may be spaced a short distance from the planar first end surface 520. A plurality of grooves 550 are formed in the outer surface 511 of the body 510. The grooves 550 extend longitudinally between the stop flange 540 and the pointed second end surface 530. The body 510 may include four, equi-spaced longitudinal grooves 550. A rounded detent flange 560 projects radially outward from the body 510 and is spaced from the stop flange 540.

In operation, the pin 500 may be inserted through the opposing apertures 121, 122 formed in the end of the rails 120 to retain the end of the rail 120 within a respective post 110, as shown in FIG. 12. The stop and detent flanges 540 and 560 should be spaced apart a sufficient distance to allow the wall of the rail 120 to be disposed between the flanges 540 and 560 when the pin 500 is inserted through the opposing apertures 121 and 122 provided in each end of the rail 120. The stop flange 540 is dimensioned to prevent the pin 500 from being pushed through the apertures 121, 122 in the rail 120 whereas the detent flange 560 is dimensioned allow the pin 500 to be pushed and pulled through the rail apertures 121, 122 with a detent action.

In still other exemplary embodiments, the rail-to-post retaining system may comprise a pin strap collectively shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B and denoted by numeral 700. The pin strap 700 may be a unitarily formed member comprising an elastically flexible strap element 701 having a first side 702, a second side 703, a first end 704, and a second end 705, and first and second pin elements 706, 707 disposed at first and second ends 704, 705 of the strap element 701, on the first side 702 of the strap element 701. Each of the pin elements 706, 707 may comprise a generally cylindrical, solid body having a plurality of equi-spaced, longitudinal grooves 750 formed in an outer surface 760 thereof, similar to the retaining pin 500 described above.

The pin strap 700 may be used to retain an end of a rail 120 within a respective post 110 as shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B. In FIG. 14A, the elastically flexible strap element 701 may be manually bent into a generally U-shaped configuration by squeezing the first and second ends 704,705 of the strap element 701 together so that the pin elements 706,707 are pointing away from one another. In FIG. 14, the first and second ends 704, 705 of the strap element 701 are then inserted into the open end of the rail 120 and the pin elements 706, 707 are aligned with the opposing apertures 121 and 122 in the end of the rail 120. Once aligned, the strap element 701 is released and snaps the pin elements 706, 707 into the apertures 121 and 122 of the rail 120 via the spring biasing action of the bent, elastically flexible strap element 701.

The pin 500 and pin strap 700 may be made of any suitable and appropriate material, such as plastic, and may be formed using a suitable and appropriate forming technique. In some embodiments, the pin 500 and pin strap 700 may be formed using plastic injection molding. When using plastic injection molding, the grooves 550, 750 formed in the outer surfaces 511, 711 of the pin 500 and pin elements 706, 707 substantially prevent the formation of shrinkage voids along the central axis of the generally cylindrical, solid body of the pin 500 and pin elements 706, 707 during the plastic injection molding process.

The retaining pin 500 and/or pin strap 700 may be used to retain any of the rails to any of the posts. As shown in FIG. 2, the retaining pin 500 and/or pin strap 700 are especially useful for the retaining the ends of the gate rails 220 of the sliding gate 200 on the side adjacent to the second gate opening fence post 110.2 and for retaining the ends of the rails 120.2 within the second gate opening fence post 110.2, because they allow the sliding gate 200 to slide freely on the second gate opening fence post 110.2 without interfering with the fence rails 120.2, which slide through the bearing openings 212 of the inner gate post 210.2.

A further aspect of the modular fencing system is a twist wire connector for physically connecting the free ends of the at least partially embedded conductors (wires) of adjacent fence sections. In some exemplary embodiments, as collectively shown in FIGS. 15A-15E, the twist wire connector 600 may comprise a disc-shape, wire twisting member 610 having a top surface 611, a bottom surface 612, a peripheral edge surface 613 extending between the top and bottom surfaces 611 and 612, and a pair of opposing wire receiving apertures 614a, 614b disposed adjacent the peripheral outer edge surface 613 and extending through the wire twisting member 610 from the top surface 611 to the bottom surface 612 thereof. A finger engageable gripping member 620 may be disposed on the top surface 611 of the wire twisting member 610 for allowing a user to manually twist the wire twisting member 610. In some exemplary embodiments, each wire receiving aperture 614a, 614b may be frustoconical in cross-section (FIG. 15E) having a diameter that progressively increases going from the top surface to the bottom surface of the wire twisting member 610. The gripping member 620 may have a blade-like, elongated structure which extends across the wire twisting member 610 between the wire receiving apertures 614a, 614b. In some exemplary embodiments, portions 621a, 621b of the gripping member 620 substantially overhang the top surface 611 of the wire twisting member 610 to provide sufficient leverage for twisting the wire twisting member 610 when connecting two corresponding conductors.

The twist wire connector 600 may be made of any suitable and appropriate material, such as plastic, and may be formed using a suitable and appropriate forming technique, such as plastic injection molding.

FIG. 15F shows one exemplary method for using the twist wire connector 600. First, two conductors (e.g., conductors 331) to be connected, are threaded through respective wire receiving apertures 614a and 614b from the bottom surface 612 of the wire twisting member 610. Next, the free ends of the conductors are bent down toward the top surface 611 of the wire twisting member 610. Finally, the gripping member 620 is used to manually rotate the twist wire connector 600 one or more turns, thereby twisting the conductors 331 together.

As shown in FIG. 16, the one or two conductors (e.g., conductors 331, 332) at least partially embedded in the rails 120 and the twist wire connectors 600 allow wire connections to be safely made inside the interior of the hollow fence posts 110.

Although the invention has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto. Rather, the appended claims should be construed broadly, to include other variants and embodiments of the invention, which may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and range of equivalents of the invention.

Claims

1. A fencing system comprising:

a fence section comprising: first and second fence posts; a first rail extending between the first and second fence posts, the first rail having first and second opposing end portions, the first end portion extending through an opening in the first fence post and the second end portion extending through an opening in the second fence post;

first and second retainers, the first retainer connected to the first end portion of the first rail and the second retainer connected to the second end portion of the first rail for connecting the first rail to the first and second fence posts.

2. The fencing system of claim 1, wherein each of the retainers comprises a retaining rod.

3. The fencing system of claim 2, wherein each of the retaining rods includes a stop flange.

4. The fencing system of claim 2, wherein the fence section further includes a second rail extending between the first and second fence posts, the second rail having first and second opposing end portions, the first end portion of the second rail extending through a second opening in the first fence post and the second end portion of the second rail extending through a second opening in the second fence post, the first retaining rod extending through the first end portions of the first and second rails and the second retaining rod extending through the second end portions of the first and second rails.

5. The fencing system of claim 4, wherein each of the retaining rods includes a stop flange.

6. The fencing system of claim 1, wherein each of the retainers comprises a retaining pin.

7. The fencing system of claim 6, wherein each of the retaining pins includes a detent structure.

8. The fencing system of claim 6, wherein each of the retaining pins, includes a stop flange.

9. The fencing system of claim 6, wherein each of the retaining pins includes an outer surface having at least one groove.

10. The fencing system of claim 1, wherein the retainer comprises a bendable strap element including pin elements.

11. The fencing system of claim 10, wherein the pin elements are disposed at opposing ends of the strap element.

12. The fencing system of claim 10, wherein each of the pin elements includes an outer surface having at least one groove.

13. The fencing system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second fence posts and the first rail comprises an inner wall layer and an outer protective layer.

14. The fencing system of claim 13, wherein the inner wall layer comprises high density polyethylene.

15. The fencing system of claim 13, wherein the outer protective layer comprises an alloy blend of polycarbonate and polybutylene terephthalate.

16. The fencing system of claim 13, wherein at least one of the layers includes a color forming agent disposed throughout the layer.

17. A fencing system comprising:

a fence section comprising: first and second fence posts; a fence rail extending between the first and second fence posts; and

a sliding gate slidably attached to the fence section.

18. The fencing system of claim 17, wherein the sliding gate comprises:

first and second gate posts; and

a gate rail extending between the first and second gate posts.

19. The fencing system of claim 18, wherein one of the first and second gate posts slides on the fence rail of the fence section.

20. A fencing system comprising:

a first fence section comprising: first and second fence posts; a first fence rail extending between the first and second fence posts; and at least one electrical conductor at least partially embedded in the fence rail, the at least one electrical conductor for providing a safe but uncomfortable electric shock when contacted.

21. The fencing system according to claim 20, wherein the at least one electrical conductor is spirally wound around the rail.

22. The fencing system according to claim 20, further comprising:

a second fence section comprising: a third fence post; a second fence rail extending between the second and third fence posts; and at least one electrical conductor at least partially embedded in the second fence rail, the at least one electrical conductor of the second fence rail for providing a safe but uncomfortable electric shock when contacted;

a connector for connecting the at one electrical conductor of the first fence rail to the at least one electrical conductor of the second rail.

23. The fencing system according to claim 22, wherein the connector connects the at least one electrical conductors within one of the second fence post.