Fences – Panel
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-03
2001-01-16
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3629)
Fences
Panel
C256S021000, C256S059000, C256S065080, C256SDIG005
Reexamination Certificate
active
06173945
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to fencing and, in particular, to metal fence posts. More particularly, the present invention is an improved metal fence post which is used in conjunction with a wood fence.
2. Description of Related Art
Traditionally, wooden fence posts have been used to construct a wooden fence. Wooden fences are very desirable because of the appearance of the fence, especially for residential homes. As illustrated in
FIG. 1
, a conventional wood fence
8
includes a series of vertically oriented posts
10
which are inserted into a hole in the ground and the hole is then filled with dirt and/or cement. The posts
10
typically have a generally square cross-section with a width and depth of about four inches. The posts
10
are connected by two or more horizontally oriented wooden rails
12
. The rails
12
are typically constructed from pieces of wood measuring two inches by four inches in cross section, commonly referred to as two-by-fours. Wooden slats or fence boards
14
are then attached to the
12
rails to create the fence
8
.
The wooden fence posts used to construct the fence, however, have a number of disadvantages. For example, wooden fence posts decompose and decay, especially the portion of the post in or near the ground. Additionally, if the posts are set in concrete, there is a danger of breakage because the posts lack resilience about their base. Finally, the wooden fence posts are typically replaced every 5-10 years because of the deterioration and rotting of the wood.
It is known to use galvanized steel pipes in place of conventional wooden fence posts. For example, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,297,890 issued to Commins, a steel pipe is inserted into the ground and a bracket is attached to the pipe by one or more bolts. The bracket is then connected to a conventional wooden fence rail. Disadvantageously, this system requires a significant amount of time to correctly position and attach the bracket to the pipe, and the system is expensive because it requires brackets and bolts. Additionally, the aesthetics of the fence are compromised because the galvanized pipe protrudes outwardly from the wooden fence and the color of the pipe does not match the color of the fence.
It is also known to directly attach the wooden rails of a typical fence to a galvanized steel pipe. In particular, holes must be drilled or punched through the pipe and the wooden rails are then bolted to the pipe. Disadvantageously, it requires a significant amount of time to drill the holes in the pipe and to attach the fence rails to the pipe. Further, because of the great contrast between the galvanized steel pipe and the wooden fence, the aesthetics of the fence are compromised.
As shown in
FIG. 2
, a known fence post
16
is constructed from steel and it includes a first flange
18
, a second flange
20
and a V-shaped notch
22
. One side of a standard fence rail
12
is fastened to the flanges
18
,
20
of the post
16
and wooden slats
14
are attached to the other side of the fence rails. Disadvantageously, the V-shaped notch
22
of the fence post
16
protrudes outwardly from the fence line created by the fence rails
12
and slats
14
, and this ruins the aesthetics of the fence. In addition, the metal fence posts detract from the appearance of the wooden fence and the outwardly extending V-shaped notch
22
may create a safety hazard.
In order to create an aesthetically pleasing fence, known steel fence posts must be painted to match the color of the wood. For example, if a natural wood fence is desired, the steel posts are painted to match the color of the wood, but this is often very difficult because the wood may have many different colors, patterns and textures. On the other hand, if the fence and steel fence post are painted the same color, after a relatively short period of time the fence posts and fence are different colors because the steel posts and wooden fence components weather and change color at different rates. Further, in order to paint the steel fence posts, an expensive powder or primer coating is often necessary. This adds to the cost of the fence and increases the complexity of manufacturing the fence posts.
Thus, known metal fence posts used with conventional wooden fences compromise the aesthetics of the fence because the metal posts detract from the appearance of the fence. Further, in addition to being difficult to use and costly to install, conventional metal fence posts can only be used in certain configurations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A need therefore exists for a metal post for use with a wooden fence which is simple to use and easy to install, and which eliminates the above described disadvantages and problems.
One aspect of the present invention is a metal fence post including a center section and two outwardly extending flanges. A series of openings extend vertically along each of the flanges to allow wooden fence rails to be attached. Preferably, the thickness of the sides of the center section is about the same as the thickness of the wooden rails so that the fence posts are in-line with the fence rails. Advantageously, the fence posts allow the fence boards to be attached to either or both sides of the rails, and the fence posts, rails and fence boards are generally aligned.
Another aspect of the present invention is a fence post for an in-line wooden fence. The fence post includes an elongated member with a first end configured to be inserted into the ground and a second end configured to support a wooden fence. The fence post also includes a first flange extending along a first edge of the elongated member, a second flange extending along a second edge of the elongated member, and a center channel positioned between the first flange and the second flange. Preferably the channel has side walls about 1½ inches in length, which is approximately the same as the width of a standard two-by-four. More preferably, the center channel has a generally U-shaped configuration.
Yet another aspect of the invention is a fence post including an elongated member with a first side and a second side which form a front surface. A connecting portion interconnects the first side and the second side, and the connecting portion includes a rear surface. The distance between the front and rear surfaces of the fence post is preferably about 1½ inches to match the width of a standard two-by-four. Thus, when a standard two-by-four is attached to the fence post, the front and rear surfaces of the two-by-four are generally aligned with the front and rear surfaces of the fence post.
Still another aspect of the invention is a fence system including a fence post having a front surface, a rear surface, a first side, a second side and a connecting portion interconnecting the first side and the second side. The fence system also includes a rail having a front surface and a rear surface, the rail preferably having a width of about 1½ inches. The connecting portion of the fence post is configured to contact and abut the rail such that the front surface of the rail and the front surface of the fence post are generally aligned, and the rear surface of the rail and the rear surface of the fence post are generally aligned. Desirably, the fence system also includes fence boards attached to the front and/or rear sides of the rail. Advantageously, the fence boards may conceal the fence posts.
Yet another aspect of the present invention is an elongated fence post including a first flange including a plurality of openings, a second flange including a plurality of openings, and a center section connecting the first flange and the second flange. The center section of elongated fence post preferably includes a first side, a second side, and a back side. Preferably, one or more clips including a body section and a foot section are releasably attached to the fence post. In particular, the foot section of the clip is configured to be attached to one or more openings in the flanges and the body
Larsen Charlie
Lindsey Michael
Short Jerry L.
Browne Lynne H.
Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP
Master-Halco, Inc.
Somrak Danielle
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