QUICK CLIP FOR FENCE POSTS

Abstract

A quick assembly clip for a fence post has first and second walls substantially parallel to each other and a third wall which extends between the first and second walls of the body. The first wall of the body has first and second tabs extending from opposite edges of the first wall. The second wall of the body has at least a third tab extending from an edge of the second wall. The clip engages the first wall of the post. The first and second tabs engage an inner surface of the first wall of the post. A cap is installed on the post. The third and fourth tabs engage an inner surface of the cap thereby securing the cap to the post.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims priority from Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/453,779, filed on Mar. 17, 2011 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosure is directed to a post assembly which can be used to install fences, in particular fence posts used with vinyl or aluminum fencing.

Specifically, this disclosure relates to a quick assembly fastening clip used for securing a cap onto an upper surface of a fence post.

Existing systems use caps to be attached to the walls of a fence post. However, the caps are not secured to the post walls and can be easily removed or otherwise fall off. Alternatively, the cap is permanently secured to the post wall and cannot be easily removed. Moreover, some existing cap support members are not rust proofed and may easily rust or become damaged over time.

Other systems use notches for securing rails to fence posts or pickets to rails. A problem with these systems is the notches do not adequately support the rails or pickets and the notches may warp, tear, or bend over time. Thus, the alignment of the pickets or rails can be affected.

Thus, there is a need for a quick clip fastening assembly which easily secures or locks a cap onto a fence post and can be easily removed if necessary. Also, there is a need for a clip which can easily secure a picket onto a fence rail or a rail onto a fence post.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosure relates to a post assembly for use in installing fences. In particular, it relates to a quick assembly fastening post clip for use with vinyl or aluminum fencing posts or pickets or rails.

In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, a quick assembly clip for use with fence posts has a body having a first wall and a second wall, wherein the first and second walls are substantially parallel to each other and a third wall extends between the first and second walls; wherein the first wall has first and second tabs extending from opposite edges of the first wall; and wherein the second wall has at least a third tab extending from an edge of the second wall.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a post and clip assembly has an elongated fence post having a substantially square-shaped configuration formed by first, second, third and fourth walls; a quick assembly clip having a body having a first wall and a second wall, wherein the first and second walls are substantially parallel to each other and a third wall extending between the first and second walls; wherein the first wall of the clip has first and second tabs extending from opposite edges of the first wall of the clip; and the second wall of the clip has at least a third tab extending from an edge of the second wall; wherein the clip is installed on the first wall of the post, wherein the first and second tabs engage an inner surface of the first wall of the post, and wherein a cap is installed on the post, wherein the third and fourth tabs engage an inner surface of the cap thereby securing the cap to the post.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a clip and picket assembly includes an elongated fence picket having a substantially square-shaped configuration formed by first, second, third and fourth walls. A quick assembly clip has a body having a first wall and a second wall. The first and second walls of the body are substantially parallel to each other and a third wall extend between the first and second walls of the body. The first wall of the body has first and second tabs extending from opposite edges of the first wall of the body. The second wall of the body has at least a third tab extending from a wall of the second wall of the body. The clip engages the first wall of the picket. The first and second tabs of the body engage an inner surface of the first wall of the picket. The third tab of the body engages an inner surface of a fence rail thereby securing the picket to the rail.

Another aspect of the disclosure is a quick clip which allows for easy securing of a cap onto a fence post.

Still another aspect of the disclosure is a clip which is easily removed.

Another aspect of the disclosure is a clip which is made of hardened spring steel.

Still another aspect of the disclosure is a clip which is zinc plated to minimize rust.

Yet another aspect of the disclosure is a clip which can secure fence pickets to rails.

Still another aspect of the disclosure is a clip for securing a rail to a fence post.

Yet another aspect of the disclosure is a clip which aids in maintaining alignment of pickets and rails with other pickets and rails.

Still other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent upon a reading and understanding of the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure may take physical form in certain parts and arrangements of parts, an embodiment of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof.

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a clip for securing a cap onto a fence post in accordance with one aspect of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the clip of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the clip of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the clip of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the clip of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the clip of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of the clip of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a post with a clip for securing a cap thereon in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure;

FIG. 8A is an enlarged view of the clip installed on an upper edge of the post of FIG. 8;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of a clip for use with fence rails and pickets in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of the clip of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the clip of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view of the clip of FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is a rear elevational view of the clip of FIG. 9;

FIGS. 14-17 are various top and bottom perspective views of the clip of FIG. 9;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a clip installed on a picket and a corresponding mating rail in accordance with another aspect of the disclosure;

FIG. 18A is an enlarged view of the clip installed on a bottom edge of the picket of FIG. 18;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a clip installed on a rail and a corresponding mating fence post in accordance with another aspect of the disclosure; and

FIG. 19A is an enlarged view of the clip installed on an outer edge of the rail of FIG. 19.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosure relates to a post assembly for use in installing fences. In particular, it relates to a quick assembly post fastening clip for use with vinyl or aluminum fencing posts or pickets or rails.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-7, a clip A in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the disclosure is shown. The clip is used to secure a cap onto a fence post B (FIG. 8). The post B is preferably a square-shaped post made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and is hollow. The disclosure can be used with virtually any size fence post, but in particular 3.5×3.5 inches, 4×4 inches and 5×5 inches wide posts are preferably accommodated. Fence posts and caps are typically made of PVC, but other materials may also be used. Various lengths and thicknesses of fence posts are also accommodated.

A fence post B is typically driven into the ground using a manual or hydraulic post driver (not shown). Once the post is driven into the ground, a cap C (FIG. 8) is placed on an upper end of the post B and secured into position using quick installation clips A. The cap is then easily secured and can be removed if desired but will not easily fall off or come off of the post.

A preferred embodiment of the disclosure is shown in detail in FIGS. 1-7. The quick assembly clip is preferably made of hardened spring steel or any suitable material which is durable but also can flex or bend as needed. The clip is preferably zinc-plated to minimize rust. The clip A has a body 10 which has a substantially U-shaped appearance formed by opposed parallel walls 12, 14 and a third wall 16 connecting walls 12, 14. Wall 16 is substantially perpendicular to walls 12, 14. Wall 12 has a pair of elongated angled cut-outs or protrusions 18, 20 formed on opposed outer edges 22, 24 of wall 12. Substantially triangle-shaped protrusions 18, 20 extend downwardly or inwardly from upper surface 26 of wall 12 as seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6.

A second set of angled protrusions or tabs 28, 30 extend downwardly from surface 32 of wall 14 as seen in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 7. The tabs 28, 30 are also substantially triangle-shaped as seen in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5. Other shaped protrusions are also contemplated by the disclosure.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 8A, the installation of the clips A onto a post B and cap C is illustrated. First, the clip is lowered onto a top surface 52 of a side wall 40 of a post body 50, such that clip wall 16 mates with upper edge 52 of wall 40 and clip wall 12 is positioned adjacent inner wall 54 and clip wall 14 is positioned adjacent outer wall 56. Then, tabs 18, 20 frictionally engage and press into inner wall 54 (or as an interference fit) and prevent the clip from being easily removed from the post wall.

Outer tabs 28, 30 extend outwardly and engage inner walls 60 of a mating cap body 62 when the cap is placed down and over the upper end 64 of the post. Tabs 28, 30 also frictionally engage or press into inner walls 60 of the cap (or as an interference fit) and prevent the cap from being easily removed from the post, thus providing a secure connection between the cap and the post.

Referring to FIGS. 9-17, an alternate embodiment of a clip D is illustrated. Clip D is preferably used for securing fence pickets to rails or to secure fence rails to posts.

The clip D has a body 100 which has a substantially U-shaped appearance formed by opposite parallel walls 102, 104 and a third wall 106 connecting walls 102, 104. Wall 106 is substantially perpendicular to walls 102, 104. Upper wall 102 has a single elongated cut-out or protrusion or tab 108 formed centrally within wall 102 and extending outwardly at an angle from surface 110 of wall 102 as seen in FIGS. 9, 14 and 16. Protrusion 108 is preferably square-shaped, but can be other configurations or shapes without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Protrusion 108 forms a corresponding square-shaped opening 112 (FIG. 14) in wall 102 when protrusion 108 extends from or is pushed out of wall 102. Alternatively, protrusion 108 can be a separate piece attached to wall 102.

A pair of angled protrusions or tabs 120, 122 are formed on opposed edges 124, 126 of wall 104 and extend inwardly from outer surface 128 of wall 104 as shown in FIGS. 9 and 14-17. The tabs 120, 122 are substantially triangle-shaped as seen in FIG. 12. However, other configurations or shapes of the tabs are contemplated by the disclosure.

Referring now to FIGS. 18 and 18A, a fence picket E is shown with at least one clip D installed on a bottom portion thereof. Picket E can be made of wood, plastic, PVC, or any suitable fence material. Specifically, the clip is mounted onto bottom edge 140 of picket body 142 such that wall 106 mates with edge 140. Body 142 is formed by four outer walls 144, 146, 148 and 150 which together form an opening 152 in the body. Wall 104 is positioned adjacent inner wall 154 (inner portion of wall 146) and wall 102 is positioned adjacent outer wall 146. Tabs 120, 122 frictionally engage and press into inner wall 154 (or as an interference fit) and prevent the clip from being easily removed from the picket.

Outer tab 108 extends outwardly and engages an inner wall 162 of a mating rail 160, when the picket is inserted through opening 164 of the rail. The clip then secures and retains the picket to the rail.

Referring now to FIGS. 19 and 19A, the clip D can also be used to retain a fence rail G onto a post H. The clip D is mounted onto a bottom or upper edge 170 of rail body 172. Specifically, the clip is mounted on edge 170 of rail body 172. The rail body is formed by four outer walls 174, 176, 178 and 180 which together form an opening 184 in the rail body. Wall 104 is positioned adjacent inner wall 182 (opposite side of outer wall 174), and wall 102 is positioned adjacent outer wall 174. Wall 106 mates with outer edge 170 of the rail body.

Tabs 120, 122 frictionally engage and press into inner wall 182 (or as an interference fit) and prevents the clip from being easily removed from the picket. Outer tab 108 extends outwardly and engages an inner wall 190 of a mating post body 192 when the rail is inserted through opening 194 of the post. The clip then secures the rail within the post and prevents the rail from being easily removed from the post.

The clips used with the picket and rails help to ensure that the pickets are aligned properly in a vertical orientation and the rails are also aligned both horizontally and vertically.

The exemplary embodiment has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the appended claims be construed as including all such modifications and alterations.

Claims

1. A quick assembly clip for use with fence posts, comprising:

a body having a first wall and a second wall, wherein said first and second walls are substantially parallel to each other and a third wall extending between said first and second walls;

wherein said first wall comprises first and second tabs extending from opposite edges of said first wall; and

wherein said second wall comprises at least a third tab extending from an edge of said second wall.

2. The clip of claim 1, wherein said third wall is substantially perpendicular to said first and second walls.

3. The clip of claim 1, wherein said clip is fabricated from hardened spring steel.

4. The clip of claim 1, wherein said clip is zinc plated.

5. The clip of claim 1, wherein said body is substantially U-shaped.

6. The clip of claim 1, wherein said first and second tabs are substantially triangle-shaped.

7. The clip of claim 1, wherein said first and second tabs extend from said first wall towards said second wall such that said first and second tabs are interposed between said first and second walls.

8. The clip of claim 1, wherein said second wall comprises third and fourth tabs extending from a surface of said second wall.

9. The clip of claim 8, wherein said third and fourth tabs are substantially triangle-shaped.

10. The clip of claim 9, wherein said third and fourth tabs extend away from said first and second walls.

11. The clip of claim 1, wherein said third tab is formed centrally within said second wall and extends outwardly at an angle with respect to said second wall.

12. The clip of claim 11, wherein said third tab is substantially square-shaped.

13. A post and clip assembly comprising:

an elongated fence post having a substantially square-shaped configuration formed by first, second, third and fourth walls;

a quick assembly clip having:

a body having a first wall and a second wall, wherein said first and second walls of said body are substantially parallel to each other and a third wall extends between said first and second walls of said body;

wherein said first wall of said body comprises first and second tabs extending from opposite edges of said first wall of said body, wherein said second wall of said body comprises at least a third tab extending from an edge of said second wall of said body;

wherein said clip engages said first wall of said post,

wherein said first and second tabs of said body engage an inner surface of said first wall of said post, and

a cap installed on said post, wherein said tab of said body engages an inner surface of said cap thereby securing said cap to said post.

14. The post and clip assembly of claim 13, wherein said second wall of said body comprises a fourth tab extending from an edge of said second wall of said body.

15. The post and clip assembly of claim 14, wherein said fourth tab of said body engages an inner surface of said cap thereby securing said cap to said post.

16. A clip and picket assembly comprising:

an elongated fence picket having a substantially square-shaped configuration formed by first, second, third and fourth walls;

a quick assembly clip having:

a body having a first wall and a second wall, wherein said first and second walls of said body are substantially parallel to each other and a third wall extends between said first and second walls of said body;

wherein said first wall of said body comprises first and second tabs extending from opposite edges of said first wall of said body, wherein said second wall of said body comprises at least a third tab extending from a wall of said second wall of said body;

wherein said clip engages said first wall of said picket,

wherein said first and second tabs of said body engage an inner surface of said first wall of said picket, and

wherein said third tab of said body engages an inner surface of an associated rail thereby securing said picket to said rail.