Fences – Rail – Connection
Reexamination Certificate
2002-12-09
2004-10-12
Stodola, Daniel P. (Department: 3679)
Fences
Rail
Connection
C256S065010, C256S065020, C256S065030, C256S067000, C016S253000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06802496
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a fence bracket system and a fence system which uses the fence bracket system. A method of making the fence bracket system as well as the fence system is also described. The invention is also directed to a method of assembling and/or installing a fence on site using the fence bracket system.
2. Discussion of Background Information
Various types of fence assembly devices are known. It is also known to utilize brackets in attaching fence sections or rails to fence posts. However, none of the numerous conventional bracket systems are able to produce a fence that is very strong, while being easily adjustable and/or repairable, easy and inexpensive to make, and which can be used to efficiently assemble a fence.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides for a bracket system for assembling a fence that includes posts and rails. The bracket system comprises a post bracket including a first projecting portion and a second projecting portion, the post bracket being securable to a post. The first projecting portion extends in one direction and the second projecting portion extends a different direction. A first rail bracket includes a first end securable to the first projecting portion and a second end that is securable to a rail. A second rail bracket includes a first end securable to the second projecting portion and a second end that is securable to another rail. The post bracket has an internal opening whose size and shape generally corresponds to a size and shape of the post. Each of the first and second rail brackets is configured to lengthen or shorten a respective rail upon movement of the post bracket relative to the post. Prior to being secured thereto, the post bracket can slide up and down relative to the post.
Each of the first and second projecting portions may comprise at least one projecting tab. Each of the first and second projecting portions may comprise also two projecting tabs.
Each of the first and second projecting portions may comprise an opening, each first end of the first and second rail brackets may similarly comprise an opening, and the bracket system may further comprise two fasteners which are each arranged to connect the first and second rail brackets to the post bracket via the openings.
The first and second rail brackets may be removably secured to the first and second projecting portions via two fasteners. The first and second rail brackets may be pivotally mounted to the first and second projecting portions. The first and second rail brackets may be movably mounted to the first and second projecting portions.
Each of the first and second projecting portions may comprise two projecting tabs that each have an opening. Each of the first and second rail brackets may similarly comprise two projecting tabs that each have an opening.
The fence may further comprise pickets or slats connected to the rails. Each of the pickets or slats may be connected to each of the rails via a single fastener, whereby the rails can move relative to the slats. Each of the pickets or slats may be connected to channel members and each channel member is securable to a rail. Each of the pickets or slats may be connected to each of the channel members via a single fastener, whereby the channel members can move relative to the slats.
The post bracket may be a unitary member formed of sheet metal. The post bracket may alternatively comprise a two piece structure. The post bracket and each of the first and second rail brackets may each comprise unitary members. The post bracket may comprise a first part and a second part, the first part being arranged above the second part, wherein the first part is removably connected to the first rail bracket and wherein the second part is removably connected to the second rail bracket. The post bracket may comprise a first part and a second part, the first part being arranged on one side of the post and the second part being arranged on another side of the post, wherein the first part is removably connected to the first rail bracket and wherein the second part is removably connected to the second rail bracket.
The invention also provides for a bracket system for assembling a fence that includes posts and fence sections having rails and slats or pickets, wherein the bracket system comprises a unitary post bracket including a first projecting portion and a second projecting portion, the post bracket being securable to a post, the first projecting portion extends in one direction and the second projecting portion extends a different direction, a unitary first rail bracket including a first end securable to the first projecting portion and a second end that is securable a rail, a unitary second rail bracket including a first end securable to the second projecting portion and a second end that is securable another rail, the post bracket having an internal opening whose size and shape generally corresponds to a size and shape of the post, each of the first and second rail brackets being configured to lengthen or shorten a respective rail upon movement of the post bracket relative to the post, a first fastener connecting the first projecting portion to the first rail bracket, and a second fastener connecting the second projecting portion to the second rail bracket.
The invention still further provides for a fence system comprising a plurality of bracket systems, each bracket system comprising a post bracket including a first projecting portion and a second projecting portion, the post bracket being securable to a post, the first projecting portion extending in one direction and the second projecting portion extending a different direction, a first rail bracket including a first end securable to the first projecting portion and a second end that is securable to a rail, a second rail bracket including a first end securable to the second projecting portion and a second end that is securable to another rail, the post bracket having an internal opening whose size and shape generally corresponds to a size and shape of a post, each of the first and second rail brackets being configured to lengthen or shorten a respective rail upon movement of the post bracket relative to the post, wherein the posts each have at least two post brackets, wherein the rails each have at least two rail brackets, and further comprising channel members that are each connected to a plurality of slats or pickets, and each of the channel members is connected to each of the rails, wherein, prior to being secured thereto, each post bracket can slide up and down relative to each of the posts.
The invention also provides for a method of making the bracket system of the type described above wherein the method comprises cutting and bending sheet metal to form the post bracket, cutting and bending sheet metal to form the first rail bracket, and cutting and bending sheet metal to form the second rail bracket.
The invention also provides for a method of making the bracket system of the type described above wherein the method comprises cutting and bending sheet metal to form the post bracket, cutting and bending sheet metal to form the first rail bracket, cutting and bending sheet metal to form the second rail bracket, and connecting each of the first and second rail brackets to the post bracket via fasteners.
The invention also provides for a method of making the bracket system of the type described above wherein the method comprises placing posts at generally equally spaced distances, mounting at least two post brackets onto each of the posts, mounting at least two rail brackets onto each of the rails, connecting the rails to the posts via the post brackets and the rail brackets, adjusting a position of each post bracket by sliding the post bracket up and down relative to a respective post; securing each post bracket to a respective post and securing each rail bracket to a respective rail.
The invention also provides for a method of assembling a fence using the bracket system described above wherein the method co
MacArthur Victor
Preta John
Stodola Daniel P.
LandOfFree
Fence bracket system and fence system using the fence... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Fence bracket system and fence system using the fence..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Fence bracket system and fence system using the fence... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3272335