Fences – Panel
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-08
2001-03-20
Kim, Harry C. (Department: 3629)
Fences
Panel
C256S019000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06202987
ABSTRACT:
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. The Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to modular fence systems. More particularly, it concerns a modular fence plank that is lockably insertable into an open channel of a fence rail.
2. The Background Art
Modular fence systems are becoming increasingly popular with home owners and businesses. Vinyl polymeric fence components have been designed for use in assembling an attractive, durable fence that is much more resistant to weathering than traditional fencing.
The prior art modular fence systems are characterized by a number of disadvantages. Some systems require the laborious and time consuming practice of fastening the fence components with nuts and bolts or other fastening devices. Some of the more decorative-oriented fence systems utilize a lower fence rail to support substantially the entire weight of the planks of the fence, a design that requires a higher frequency of intermittent support posts to inhibit sagging in the lower fence rail.
The prior art is thus characterized by several disadvantages that are addressed by the present invention. The present invention minimizes, and in some aspects eliminates, the above-mentioned failures, and other problems, by utilizing the methods and structural features described herein.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a fence system that is simple in design and easy to assemble.
It is another object of the invention, in accordance with one aspect thereof, to provide such a fence system that supports at least some of the weight of the planks by holding the upper ends of the planks in combination with resting them upon a lower fence rail, thereby requiring fewer intermittent support posts.
It is a further object of the invention to provide such a fence system having fence planks that are lockably insertable into supporting fence rails.
The above objects and others not specifically recited are realized in a specific illustrative embodiment of a modular fence system. The system includes fence planks designed for insertion into open channels of upper and lower fence rails. The fence rails are supported in a horizontal orientation between intermittent fence posts, with the fence planks extending vertically between the rails. The planks include resilient protrusions, called plank-projections, at their upper ends. The plank-projections are designed to engage with channel-projections formed in the open channels of the upper fence rail and lower fence rail, to inhibit inadvertent removal of the planks from the upper rail. Alternatively, the plank-projections may be eliminated in favor of having the channel-projections simply grip the planks frictionally, or, vice versa, the channel-projections could be eliminated in favor of having the plank-projections press frictionally against the walls of the open channels in the upper rail or lower rail or both. Accordingly, the engagement between the upper rail and the planks takes some weight off the lower rail such that fewer support posts are needed, and that engagement can be provided with just the channel-projections, or just the plank-projections, or both.
Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by the practice of the invention without undue experimentation. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
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Nebraska Plastics, Inc., Guia De Planeamiento E Instalacion De Cercas Residenciales, Country Estates Fence. Cover Page and pp. 16 and 25, Oct. 1995.
Nebraska Plastics, Inc., Residential Fence Planning & Installation Guide, Country Estates Fence, Cover Page and p. 21, Apr. 1994.
Clayton Howarth & Cannon, P.C.
Kim Harry C.
Kroy Building Products, Inc.
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