Fence Panel and Method for Assembly
A fence panel has a first fence post and a second fence post spaced from the first post, each post having a face oriented toward the other post. An upper tab and lower clip are mounted on each post. Each upper tab is fixed, and each lower clip is movable during assembly relative to the associated post between a lower position and a higher position. A top rail is assembled onto the upper tabs, a bottom rail is assembled onto the lower clips, and at least one fence picket is inserted between the rails. During assembly the bottom rail and pickets are moved upward together relative to the posts and toward the top rail to an assembled position for retaining each picket between the rails. The lower clips are moved to the higher position for retaining the bottom rail and pickets in the assembled position.
This is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/685,232 filed 13 Apr. 2015.
BACKGROUND1. Field of the Invention
The present application relates in general to fences and in particular to component fence systems.
2. Description of Related Art
Fences are typically constructed with pre-built panels, and these are usually made of wood or metal. With pre-built panels, the choice of which side to have facing the owner is made during installation, but adjacent neighbors may be dissatisfied with having the other side facing them. Also, adjacent neighbors may disagree on what type of fence to erect, what color to use, and what details should be used on the fence.
Pipe fences are constructed with components, but they often have few custom options available. One advantage to a pipe fence is that adjacent neighbors have similar views of the fence, as pipe fences tend to be symmetrical along their length. However, this does not eliminate disagreement concerning color or other details of the fence.
Although great strides have been made in fence systems, considerable shortcomings remain.
The novel features believed characteristic of the subject matter of this application are set forth in the appended claims. However, the subject matter itself, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
While the apparatus, system, and method of the present application are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the application to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present application as defined by the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTIllustrative embodiments of the preferred embodiment are described below. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any such actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.
In the specification, reference may be made to the spatial relationships between various components and to the spatial orientation of various aspects of components as the devices are depicted in the attached drawings. However, as will be recognized by those skilled in the art after a complete reading of the present application, the devices, members, apparatuses, etc. described herein may be positioned in any desired orientation. Thus, the use of terms to describe a spatial relationship between various components or to describe the spatial orientation of aspects of such components should be understood to describe a relative relationship between the components or a spatial orientation of aspects of such components, respectively, as the device described herein may be oriented in any desired direction.
There is a need for a simple and inexpensive component fence system that allows for ease of assembly and customization. The fence system is preferably a minimum-fastener or no-fastener system.
Top rail slot 27 is shown in detail in
Top rail 17 is shown in detail in
Bottom rail 19 is shown in detail in
Because bottom rail 19 opens upward, rail 19 may fill with water from rain or irrigation. To alleviate this problem, bottom rail 19 preferably has multiple drain holes 53 formed in horizontal panel 45 and spaced along the length of rail 19. In the preferred embodiment, a spacer, such as optional tube 55, is installed within rail 19 and adjacent panel 45 for spacing pickets 21 above panel 45 and increasing stiffness of rail 19. Tube 55 is preferably formed from ¾″ metal square tubing and is large enough to keep pickets 21 above water accumulating within rail 19 prior to draining through holes 53. Tube 55 is also wide enough to provide a ledge for 1×n pickets 21 to not fall between tube 55 and vertical panels 47. Alternatively, a large ridge or other raised platform may be formed or installed in rail 19 to also act as a spacer and perform the same functions as tube 55. Tube 55 is preferably fastened to rail 19 with fasteners 56 along the length of tube 55, allowing tube 55 to be removed when the length of rail 19 is shortened for use in a particular location, tube 55 being shortened a similar amount and then reinstalled on rail 19.
Referring now specifically to
As shown in
Referring to
Rather than forming holes, such as rail slots 27, 29, in post 135, system 133 utilizes a plate 139 for locating an upper clip 141 and for movably locating and retaining a lower clip 143. Plate 139 and clips 141, 143 are preferably formed from metal, though other appropriate materials may be used. In the embodiment shown, plate 139 is an elongated, planar rectangular plate formed from, for example, 2-inch wide bar stock. A rectangular aperture 145 is formed in an upper end portion of plate 139, and a downward-opening rectangular notch 147 is formed in a lower end portion of plate 139. An inner surface 149 of plate 139 is configured to be placed against face 137 of post 135. A stop plate 151 is mounted to outer surface 153 of plate 139, stop plate 151 enclosing the end portion of notch 147. Two holes 155 are formed in plate 139 and located between aperture 145 and notch 147, and a fastener 156 extends through each hole 155 and into post 135 for retaining plate 139 to post 135.
In the embodiment shown, clips 141, 143 are preferably identical and L-shaped, each having a rail-support tab 157 and a perpendicular mounting tab 159. A hole 161 is formed in each mounting tab 159, and a fastener 163 extends through each hole 161 and into post 135 for retaining clip 141, 143 to post 135. Each rail-support tab 157 has an upward-facing rail-support surface 165 for supporting either top rail 167 or bottom rail 169, as shown in
To install a fence panel according to this patent application on post 135 in system 175, the user first aligns plate 139 at the desired height on post 135, with inner surface 149 of plate 139 against face 137 of post 135. To retain plate 139 in this position, fasteners 157 are installed through holes 155 and extend into post 135. Upper clip 141 is installed by placing mounting tab 159 into aperture 145 of plate 139, and then a fastener 163 is installed through hole 161 and extends into post 135 to retain upper clip 141 in a fixed position relative to plate 139. Lower clip 143 is installed in a first position, shown in
This installation is repeated on a corresponding face 137 of a next post 135, and then top rail 167 is installed on upper tabs 141 and bottom rail 169 is installed on lower tabs 143 while tabs 143 are in the first position. Pickets (not shown), such as those shown in
In the preferred embodiment, aperture 145 of plate 139 positions upper tab 141 so that the outer edges of the end of top rail 167 align with the outer edges of plate 139, providing for an aesthetically pleasing, finished appearance. Also, bottom rail 169 may be fastened or otherwise attached to lower clip 143, so that they move in unison when being moved to the raised position. Another alternative configuration of system 133 includes installing fasteners through rails 167, 169 and the installed pickets.
In an alternative embodiment, plate 139 may be provided in two pieces, with an upper piece and a lower piece. Also, another embodiment includes only the bottom, notch portion of plate 139 (and stop plate 151) with a bare upper clip 141.
Rather than utilizing an attached plate 139, system 175 uses a removable template 177 for determining the mounting locations of upper clip 141 and lower clip 179. Template 139 and clips 141, 179 are preferably formed from metal, though other appropriate materials may be used. In the embodiment shown, template 177 is an elongated, planar rectangular plate formed from, for example, 2-inch wide bar stock. A rectangular aperture 181 is formed in an upper end portion of template 177, and a lower rectangular aperture 183 is formed in a lower end portion of template 177. An inner surface 185 of template 177 is configured to be placed against face 137 of post 135.
In the embodiment shown, upper clip 141 is identical to clips 141, 143 used in system 133, as described above, and clip 141 has rail-support tab 157 and perpendicular mounting tab 159. Likewise, lower clip 179 is also L-shaped, clip 179 having a rail-support tab 187 and an elongated, perpendicular mounting tab 189. An elongated, open-bottom slot 191 is formed in mounting tab 189 and is sized for receiving fasteners 193, which extend through slot 191 and into post 135 for retaining clip 179 to post 135. Rail-support tab 187 has an upward-facing rail-support surface 195 for supporting bottom rail 169, as shown in
To install a fence panel according to this patent application on post 135 in system 175, it is preferred that the user first determine where upper clip 141 should be located on the first post 135 and install upper clip 141. The user can then locate the desired location on subsequent posts using any appropriate method, such as with a string line, and install upper clips 141 on other posts 135. The user can then hang template 177 on upper clip 141 of each post 135 to show the location for lower clip 179. If desired, template 177 may be temporarily retained in position on post 135 using any appropriate means, such as, for example, fasteners or adhesive tape, or the user may apply pressure to hold template 177 against post 135. The user may then trace or otherwise mark the locations of aperture 183 on face 137 and then remove template, leaving marks indicating the mounting locations for clip 179. Alternatively, either or both of clips 141, 179 may be installed while template 177 is adjacent face 137 by placing mounting tabs 159, 189 into the corresponding aperture 181, 183 of template 177.
A fastener 163 is installed through hole 161 and into post 135 to retain upper clip 141 in a fixed position relative to template 177. Lower clip 179 is installed in a lower, first position, shown in
This installation is repeated on a corresponding face 137 of a next post 135, and then top rail 167 is installed on upper clips 141 and bottom rail 169 is installed on lower clips 179 while clips 179 are in the first position. Pickets (not shown), such as those shown in
Alternatively, instead of aperture 183, holes (not shown) for marking the position of the lower two of fasteners 193 may be formed in the lower portion of template 177, allowing installation of the lower two of fasteners 193 after removal of template 177. Then lower clip 179 is installed in the lower position by sliding slot 191 over the installed fasteners 193. Another alternative is that open-ended slots (not shown) sized for receiving the lower two of fasteners 193 may be formed in the lower portion of template 177, allowing installation of the lower two fasteners 193 prior to removal of template 177. Lower clip 179 can then be installed in the lower position on these fasteners.
Like systems 133 and 175, described above, system 209 does not require rail slots formed in fence posts 135, system 209 utilizing a plate 211 that has an integral upper rail-support tab 213 and a vertically movable lower clip 179. Plate 209 and clip 179 are preferably formed from metal, though other appropriate materials may be used. In the embodiment shown, plate 211 is an elongated, planar rectangular plate formed from, for example, 1.5-inch wide bar stock. Rail-support tab 213 is formed as a flat, rectangular protrusion extending perpendicularly from the upper end of plate 211, and tab 213 has an upward-facing rail-support surface 215. An inner surface 217 of plate 211 is configured to be placed against face 137 of post 135. Mounting holes 219 are formed in plate 211 and sized to receive fasteners 163, which extend through each hole 219 and into post 135 for retaining plate 211 to post 135. Three fastener holes 221 are formed in a spaced vertical arrangement in a lower portion of plate 211 and are sized for receiving fasteners 193. The lower two of fasteners 193 movably retain lower clip 179 adjacent plate. 211, whereas the upper fastener 193 affixes clip 179 in an upper raised position, as shown and described above for system 175. Alternatively, only the lower two of holes 221 are formed in plate 211, with the top hole 221 being formed, such as by a self-drilling fastener, after clip 179 is moved upward to the raised position during assembly.
To install a fence panel according to this patent application on post 135 in system 209, the user first aligns plate 211 at the desired height on post 135, with inner surface 217 of plate 211 against face 137 of post 135. To retain plate 211 in this position, fasteners 163 are installed through holes 219 and extend into post 135. The lower two of fasteners 193 are installed through the lower two of holes 221 and extend into post 135 to movably retain lower clip 179 adjacent plate 211. At this point, lower clip 179 is free to slide vertically relative to plate 211 and post 135, and gravity pulls lower clip 179 downward until the top of slot 191 rests against middle fastener 193.
This installation is repeated on a corresponding face 137 of a next post 135, and then top rail 167 is installed on upper tabs 213 and bottom rail 169 is installed on tabs 187 of lower clips 179 while clips 179 are in the lower first position. Pickets (not shown), such as those shown in
Step 235 of lifting bottom rail 169 and the pickets may be accomplished through use of straps or similar devices to pull rail 169 upward toward top rail 167. The straps would be tightened until rail 169 is in the raised position and clips 143 or 179 are affixed in their higher position, and then the straps are loosened and removed. Another alternative order includes affixing clips 141, 143, 179 prior to emplacing posts 135.
It should be noted that, where appropriate, additional clips may be used in any of the described systems for accommodating additional rails, and the clips may be fixed or movable. It should also be noted that the systems and methods, though only described above with the bottom rail moving relative to the fence posts, could also be implemented with a fixed bottom rail and a top rail that is movable vertically in an enlarged slot of the fence posts. This configuration has the advantage of eliminating the need to lift the weight of the bottom rail and all of the pickets, but it has the disadvantage of having clips on an upper, more visible portion of the fence panel and, for some embodiments, also eliminates the advantage of the weight of the bottom rail and pickets tending to secure the clip in place.
It will be evident to those skilled in the art that several additional features may be used with the fence system. For example, panels may incorporate various decorative details, such as finials or scalloped edges, and panels may include electrical components. In addition, it should be noted that certain embodiments are retrofit onto existing fence posts by forming slots for top and bottom rails in the fence posts or by affixing additional parts that include slots. Also, a middle rail can used to add further customization to the fence system.
The present application provides several significant advantages, including: (1) providing for ease of assembly of a fence panel; and (2) providing for ease of customization of a fence panel.
The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the application may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the application. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the description. It is apparent that subject matter with significant advantages has been described and illustrated. Although the present application includes embodiments having a limited number of forms, it is not limited to just these forms, but is amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.
Claims
1. A fence panel, comprising:
- a first fence post and a second fence post spaced from the first post, each post having a face oriented toward the other post;
- a fixed upper tab on the face of each post, corresponding upper tabs on adjacent posts forming a pair;
- a lower clip on the face of each post, each lower clip having a tab, corresponding lower clips on adjacent posts forming a pair, each lower clip being movable relative to the associated post during assembly;
- at least one fence picket;
- a top rail assembled onto one pair of upper tabs and having a cross-sectional shape configured for receiving an upper end of each picket; and
- a bottom rail assembled onto one pair of lower clips and having a cross-sectional shape configured for receiving a lower end of each picket;
- wherein during assembly the bottom rail and the at least one picket are moved upward together relative to the posts and toward the top rail to an assembled position for retaining each picket between the rails.
2. The fence panel of claim 1, wherein the upper end of each picket is inserted into the top rail from below the top rail.
3. The fence panel of claim 1, wherein the lower end of each picket is inserted into the bottom rail from above the bottom rail.
4. The fence panel of claim 1, wherein during assembly the lower clips are moved from a lower position to a higher position and affixed in the higher position to retain the bottom rail and the at least one picket in the assembled position.
5. The fence panel of claim 1, wherein each upper tabs is located on an upper clip.
6. The fence panel of claim 1, wherein each lower clip has a mounting tab and a rail-support tab extending generally perpendicular from to the mounting tab.
7. The fence panel of claim 1, wherein the lower tab has an elongated slot.
8. The fence panel of claim 1, wherein the upper tab is integral to a plate that serves as a template for installation of the lower clip.
9. A fence panel, comprising:
- a first fence post and a second fence post spaced from the first post, each post having a face oriented toward the other post;
- a fixed upper tab on the face of each post, corresponding upper tabs on adjacent posts forming a pair;
- a lower clip on the face of each post, corresponding lower clips on adjacent posts forming a pair, each lower clip being movable relative to the associated post during assembly;
- at least one fence picket;
- a top rail assembled onto one pair of upper tabs and having a cross-sectional shape configured for receiving an upper end of each picket; and
- a bottom rail assembled onto one pair of lower clips and having a cross-sectional shape configured for receiving a lower end of each picket;
- wherein during assembly the bottom rail and the at least one picket are moved upward together relative to the posts and toward the top rail to an assembled position for retaining each picket between the rails, and the lower clips are moved from a lower position to a higher position and affixed in the higher position to retain the bottom rail and at least one picket in the assembled position.
10. The fence panel of claim 9, wherein the upper end of each picket is inserted into the top rail from below the top rail.
11. The fence panel of claim 9, wherein the lower end of each picket is inserted into the lower rail from above the lower rail.
12. The fence panel of claim 9, wherein each upper tabs is located on an upper clip.
13. The fence panel of claim 9, wherein each lower clip has a mounting tab and a rail-support tab extending generally perpendicular from to the mounting tab.
14. The fence panel of claim 9, wherein the upper tab is integral to a plate that serves as a template for installation of the lower clip.
15. A method of constructing a fence panel, the steps comprising:
- (a) affixing a first fence post in a final position;
- (b) affixing a second fence post in a final position spaced from the first fence post;
- (c) installing a fixed upper tab on each post, corresponding upper tabs on adjacent posts forming a pair;
- (d) installing a movable lower clip on each post, corresponding lower clips on adjacent posts forming a pair, each lower clip being movable relative to the associated post during assembly between a lower position and a higher position;
- (e) assembling a top rail onto one pair of upper tabs;
- (f) assembling a bottom rail onto one pair of lower clips;
- (g) inserting pickets between the rails; and
- (h) moving the bottom rail and the pickets upward together toward the top rail, thereby capturing the pickets between the rails.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:
- (i) moving the lower clips from the lower position to the higher position and affixing the clips in the higher position to retain the bottom rail and the pickets in the assembled position.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein step (d) comprises using a template to indicate an installation location for each lower clip.
18. The method of claim 15, wherein step (d) comprises using a template to indicate an installation location for each lower clip, the template having a template portion and a perpendicular alignment portion.
19. The method of claim 15, wherein step (c) comprises using a plate with an integral upper tab, the plate also indicating an installation location for each lower clip.
20. The method of claim 15, wherein step (h) comprises using straps to pull the bottom rail toward the top rail.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 21, 2015
Publication Date: Oct 13, 2016
Inventor: David C. Fletcher (Burleson, TX)
Application Number: 14/975,959