Fences – Panel
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-17
2001-07-17
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3629)
Fences
Panel
C256S021000, C256S025000, C256S065080, C256S073000, C052S473000, C052S588100, C052S762000, C052S775000, C052S780000, C052S781000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06260828
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to fence assemblies and particularly to a prefabricated fence post assembly having one or more vertical slots which slideably accept a prefabricated fence panel without the need for traditional fasteners, providing an efficient and strong installation for privacy walls, fences and similar structures.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Fences and privacy barriers constructed of prefabricated panels have been used for many years. Typically, such assemblies utilize a plurality of modular panels fabricated from metals, alloys or thermoplastic materials, The panels are connected to each other and to a support post using screws, nails, bolts, rivets, pins or similar fasteners or by interlocking one panel to another panel.
In a typical modular fence construction, two posts form a span between which vertically disposed panels are assembled. The panels are attached to a plurality of horizontal members spanning the two posts. The horizontal members provide rigidity and support for the panels. The panels may interlock with each other, providing additional rigidity and strength without the need for supplementary fastening devices.
However, existing interlocking systems do not extend to the post itself. Rather the interlocking panels are collectively attached to the post via the horizontal support members or with separate fasteners on the panel edge bordering the post. A disadvantage to this system is that it requires a substantial amount of time and additional hardware to assemble the structure. Furthermore, it may also require a second worker to support and stabilize the end panel while it is attached to the post.
Consequently, there is a need in the art for a prefabricated interlocking fence post system whereby the end panels slideably interlock with the post itself providing additional rigidity and forgoing the additional time and expense of using traditional fasteners to connect the panel adjoining the post.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention fulfills the need in the art by providing a fence post assembly comprising a prefabricated fence post which slideably receives the edge of an adjoining modular panel within a slot ending substantially along the length of the post. A cap may be secured to the top of the post after the modular panel is slid into position. The post may comprise a plurality of slots to receive a plurality of panel edges. The post slot may also be used to receive a prefabricated lattice, picket fence or ornamental structure with edges fashioned to interlock with the post slot. An L-shaped bracket on the outside of the post slot and retainer plate placed inside the post slot may be rigidly clamped together to provide a variable-height attachment site for horizontal support rails. More particularly, the novel modular assembly for making a fence includes a first pair of upstanding, hollow post members disposed in laterally spaced apart relation to one another. Each post member of the first pair of post members has a common vertical extent and has a generally square configuration when seen in plan view. Each post member includes a front wall, a back wall, an inboard wall and an outboard wall. The respective inboard walls face one another when the novel fence is in its assembled configuration.
A vertically extending slot is formed in the inboard wall of each of the post members. Each vertically extending slot has an extent equal to an extent of the inboard wall within which it is formed so that it is in open communication with top and bottom ends of said inboard wall. Each vertically extending slot has a predetermined width.
The novel structure further includes a plurality of modular panels having a common vertical extent, said common vertical extent being less than the common vertical extent of the pair of post members. Each modular panel has a vertically extending flat front wall and a pair of vertically extending flat side walls formed integrally with the flat front wall. The flat side walls are disposed at opposite sides of the flat front wall in normal relation thereto and extend therefrom in a first common direction. The construction of each modular panel further includes a pair of vertically extending flat rear walls. Each flat rear wall is formed integrally with an associated flat side wall and is disposed normal thereto so that it is parallel to the flat front wall. The flat rear walls extend in a direction toward one another. A vertically extending flat locking wall concludes the structure of each modular panel. Each flat locking wall is formed integrally with an associated rear wall and is disposed normal thereto so that it is parallel to the side walls. Each of the flat locking walls extends in a common direction towards the flat front wall. The respective side walls, rear walls, and locking walls are hereinafter sometimes collectively referred to as the interlocking means of the modular panels. Significantly, each modular panel has a vertically extending interlocking means formed integrally with its front wall at its opposite vertical edges, and both interlocking means project in a common direction relative to said front wall. Moreover, the interlocking means have a common structure with one another so that each modular panel exhibits bilateral symmetry, thereby simplifying manufacturing of said modular panels and simplifying the assembly of the novel fence.
An upper and a lower flat retainer plate are disposed in a hollow interior of each of the fence posts in abutting relation to an interior surface of the inboard wall. Each flat retainer plate has a breadth greater than the predetermined width of the vertically extending slot.
An “L”-shaped bracket is associated with each retainer plate. Each “L”-shaped bracket has two parts disposed in normal relation to one another. Each “L”-shaped bracket is disposed external to its associated fence post and a first part thereof is disposed in abutting relation to an exterior surface of an associated inboard wall. A second part of each “L”-shaped bracket is disposed in a substantially horizontal plane, and the respective second parts extend toward one another when a fence is in its assembled configuration. The respective first parts of the “L”-shaped brackets have a breadth greater than a predetermined width of the vertically extending slot formed in each post member.
The respective inboard walls of the upstanding post members are disposed in sandwiched relation to the respective first parts of the “L”-shaped brackets and the respective flat retainer plates. A fastener means interconnects the respective first parts and the flat retainer plates. In a preferred embodiment, each fastener means is a screw and the respective first parts of the “L”-shaped brackets and retainer plates are suitably apertured to receive their associated screws. A nut may be provided for each screw or the aperture formed in each retainer plate is adapted to screw-threadingly receive its associated screw.
A second pair of hollow post members is disposed substantially horizontally so that the individual post members of said second pair are in vertically spaced apart, substantially parallel relation to one another. Each post member of the second pair of post members has a substantially common extent and has a construction in common with the post members of the first pair of post members. However, since they are horizontally disposed and respectively provide the top and bottom rails of the fence, they may best be described as rail members. The rail members are disposed with their respective horizontally extending slots in confronting relation to one another. Each rail member is supported at its opposite ends by respective second parts of the “L”-shaped brackets.
One person working alone can assemble the novel fence. A pair of post members are driven into the ground in spaced apart relation to one another so that their respective slots face toward one another. A first “L”-shaped bracket and its retainer plate are fastened to one another in sandwiching relation to a lower end of a firs
Browne Lynne H.
Garcia Ernesto
Hopen Anton J.
Smith Ronald E.
Smith & Hopen , P.A.
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