BRACKET FOR INSTALLING HORIZONTAL FENCING TO THE OUTSIDE OF A POST AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME

Abstract

A fence bracket for installing a horizontal fence, and a method of using the same that decreases the expense and time of installing two different types of horizontal fencing configurations. The fence bracket directly connects to a post to define a fence member slot oriented in a direction shared by a surface of the post to which the fence bracket is directly connected.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 63/531,448, U.S. provisional application number filed 8-8-2023, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to devices and methods for fencing installation and, more particularly, to a bracket for installing a horizontal fence, and a method of using the same.

Current fencing installation brackets require a custom post to support such brackets or otherwise those installing fencing without brackets must nail the railings directly to the post. The first option increases the expense of installing bracketed fencing since the user must buy an entire “rail system” with brackets and required costume post for the brackets. The second option of connecting fence boards to a post increases the time of installation (relative to bracketed fencing) because an installer must create some form of a horizontal wooden slat to use to install fence, which is time consuming.

As can be seen, there is a need for a bracket for installing bracketed horizontal members to a standard post, and a method of using the same, thereby simplifying and decreasing the expense and time of installation for either a “porch railing” horizontal fencing configuration or a “horizontal fence” configuration using the bracket embodied in the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The bracket embodied by the present invention directly attaches to a first surface of a conventional rectangular prism post, so that a board-receiving channel of the bracket is adjacent a second surface of the rectangular prism post, oriented orthogonal relative to the first surface. The board-receiving channel may be directly connected to the board and the post by way of fasteners journaled through the former. Accordingly, a pair of brackets can be directly attached to opposing surface of two adjacent posts, one bracket for each post, so that the respective board-receiving channels are aligned and facing each other. Thus, when multiple pairs of brackets are vertically stacked on each of the two adjacent posts, a porch railing configuration may be formed between the two adjacent posts when the boards are received and connected to their respective pair of brackets. Separately, the brackets are reversible so a first bracket in a first orientation may operatively associates to a left face of a post while a second bracket moved to a second orientation, which is a mirror image of the first orientation, may operatively associate to a right face of the same post. Thus, for each successive post, a matching pair of brackets may be directly connected, enabling an end-to-end fencing configuration when the boards of connected between their respective pairs of brackets.

The bracket is dimensioned and adapted to work on both new post or upgrade existing fence post saving time and money.

In one aspect of the present invention, A fence bracket for directly connecting to an outer surface of a 4×4 (or other dimensioned, non-customized) post to define a fence member slot oriented in a direction shared by a surface of the post to which the fence bracket is directly connected, the fence bracket having the following: a C-channel defining the fence member slot defined by two opposing legs of the bracket; and a connection flange for directly connecting to said surface, wherein the connection flange extends from a distal edge of an inner leg of the two opposing legs in a direction away from the fence member slot, whereby the post is not customized for the fence bracket.

In another aspect of the present invention, the fence bracket further includes, wherein the connection flange has a plurality of spaced apart fastener holes, and wherein the two opposing legs each have a plurality of pilot holes that align with each other.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of bracketing a fence member to outer surfaces of two adjacent posts, wherein each post is not customized, the method including the following: directly attaching a first above-mentioned fence bracket to a left side of a first post of the two adjacent posts by way of its connection flange; directly attaching a second above-mentioned fence bracket to a right side of a second post of the two adjacent posts by way of its connection flange so that the respective fence member slots of the first and second fence brackets directly face each other; and fastening each end the fence member in the respective fence member slot of the first and second fence brackets so that for each end of the fence member a plurality of fasteners pass through the two opposing legs, the end of the fence member, and into the respective post.

In still yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of bracketing a fence configuration to a non-customized post, by way of a fence bracket, wherein no part of the fence bracket engages an internal portion of the post the method includes the following: directly attaching a first above-mentioned fence bracket to a left side of a post by way of its connection flange; and directly attaching a second above-mentioned fence bracket to a right side of the post by way of its connection flange so that the respective fence member slots of the first and second fence brackets are coplanar and directly face away from each other. The fence bracket itself does not engage an internal portion of the post (though the fasteners do) so as to distinguish from the prior art, which relies on customized posts with built-in internal portions adapted for the fence bracket to engage to. Therefore, engaging only the external portions/outside surfaces of a post is critical for the fence bracket of the present invention.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top right front perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top right rear perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded top right front perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a top right front perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, shown in use illustrating assembly of boards 20 within the receiving channels 14.

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, shown in use illustrating a porch railing configuration 30.

FIG. 7 is a top right perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, shown in use illustrating a fence configuration 40.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a fence bracket for installing a horizontal fence, and a method of using the same that decreases the expense and time of installing two different types of horizontal fencing configurations. The fence bracket directly connects to a post to define a fence member slot oriented in a direction shared by a surface of the post to which the fence bracket is directly connected.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 7, the present invention provides a reversible fencing bracket 10. The reversible fencing bracket 10 provides a C-channel defining a fence board slot 14. Extending orthogonally from a distal edge of an inner leg 13 (of two opposing legs 13 and 15) of the C-channel is a connection flange 11 extending away from an opening communicating the fence board slot 14 to the external environment. The connection flange 11 provides a plurality of pilot holes 12 for facilitating direct connection of the reversible fencing bracket 10 to a post 18 by way of fasteners 16. At the time of direct connection, the inner leg 13 is positioned to be flush with the surface of the post 18 that is orthogonal relative to the surface of the post 18 that is connected to the connection flange 11; as a result, the opening of the fence board slot 14 faces the direction of that connection flange surface.

The opposing legs 13 and 15 of the C-channel may each have aligned pilot holes 17 for facilitating connecting a fence board 20 received in the fence board slot 14 to the post 18, as illustrated in FIG. 5.

Since the reversible fencing bracket 10 are reversible, a first reversible fencing bracket 10, say in a first orientation, may be directly connected to a left-side face/surface 19 of a first post 18 by placing the connection flange 11 flush thereto and using fasteners 16 through the pilot holes 12 thereof. Thus, the fence board slot 14 faces leftward. Then the installer can take a second reversible fencing bracket 10, identical to the first reversible fencing bracket 10, and rotate it 180-degress relative to a front face of the post 18 and attach it to the right-side of a second post 18 in this second orientation so that the first and second brackets 10 (pair of brackets) face each other in a porch railing configuration 30.

Likewise, one post 18 can be dimensioned and shaped to accommodate two brackets side by side in first and second orientations, respectively, thereby defining a fence configuration 40.

Furthermore, bracket installation should start at the top of the fence post or bottom, after locating and setting level first horizontal fence picket, bolt to post, either attach bracket to second fence picket and bolt to post or stack and bolt bracket to create a slotted rail and install fence pickets.

The brackets can be created using a 3D printer and/or can be made from a sturdy carbon fiber or aluminum or equivalently durable material. Notably, even though the appended Figures show each bracket 10 dimensioned and shaped to receive and connect to a single fencing board/member 20, it is understood that the present invention contemplates a single bracket that is dimensioned and shaped to support a plurality of fencing members simultaneously. Thus, this type of bracket would provide a unitary receiving channel 14 that has a vertical length of seventy inches or more to receive a plurality of fencing members 20 therein. As a result, there would be repeating patterns of sets of aligned pilot holes 17. In other words, the bracket length can range from 4.25 inches to 70 inches or move in length, while functioning the same.

As noted in the Figures of the provisional patent application 63/531,448, incorporated herein by reference, the other dimensions of the bracket are provided. Those too are understood to be one point within a wide range (between over zero and ten thousand percent greater or more) to accommodate differently sized and dimensioned fencing boards 20, while still functioning as disclosed herein.

As used in this application, the term “about” or “approximately” refers to a range of values within plus or minus 10% of the specified number. And the term “substantially” refers to up to 80% or more of an entirety. Recitation of ranges of values herein are not intended to be limiting, referring instead individually to any and all values falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated, and each separate value within such a range is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “aligned” means parallel, substantially parallel, or forming an angle of less than 35.0 degrees. For purposes of this disclosure, the term “transverse” means perpendicular, substantially perpendicular, or forming an angle between 55.0 and 125.0 degrees. Also, for purposes of this disclosure, the term “length” means the longest dimension of an object. Also, for purposes of this disclosure, the term “width” means the dimension of an object from side to side. For the purposes of this disclosure, the term “above” generally means superjacent, substantially superjacent, or higher than another object although not directly overlying the object. Further, for purposes of this disclosure, the term “mechanical communication” generally refers to components being in direct physical contact with each other or being in indirect physical contact with each other where movement of one component affect the position of the other.

The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (“e.g.,” “such as,” or the like) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the embodiments and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the embodiments or the claims. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any unclaimed element as essential to the practice of the disclosed embodiments.

In the following description, it is understood that terms such as “first,” “second,” “top,” “bottom,” “up,” “down,” and the like, are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms unless specifically stated to the contrary.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A fence bracket for directly connecting to an external surface a post to define a fence member slot facing a direction that said external surface faces, the fence bracket comprising:

a C-channel defining the fence member slot defined by two opposing legs of the bracket; and

a connection flange for directly connecting to said surface, wherein the connection flange extends from a distal edge of an inner leg of the two opposing legs in a direction away from the fence member slot,

whereby no part of the fence bracket engages an internal portion of the post.

2. The fence bracket of claim 1, wherein the connection flange has a plurality of spaced apart fastener holes.

3. The fence bracket of claim 1, wherein the two opposing legs each have a plurality of pilot holes that align with each other.

4. A method of bracketing a fence member, by way of a fence bracket, to outer surfaces of two adjacent posts, wherein no part of the fence bracket engages an internal portion of the post, the method comprising:

directly attaching a first fence bracket of claim 3 to a first outer surface of a first post of the two adjacent posts by way of its connection flange;

directly attaching a second fence bracket of claim 3 to a second outer surface of a second post of the two adjacent posts by way of its connection flange so that the respective fence member slots of the first and second fence brackets directly face each other; and

fastening each end of the fence member in the respective fence member slot of the first and second fence brackets so that for each end of the fence member a plurality of fasteners pass through the two opposing legs, the end of the fence member, and into the respective post.

5. A method of bracketing a fence configuration to an outer surface of a post, by way of a fence bracket, wherein no part of the fence bracket engages an internal portion of the post the method comprising:

directly attaching a first fence bracket of claim 3 to a first outer surface of a post by way of its connection flange; and

directly attaching a second fence bracket of claim 3 to a second outer surface of the post by way of its connection flange so that the respective fence member slots of the first and second fence brackets are coplanar and directly face away from each other.