U.S. patent application number 12/683849 was filed with the patent office on 2010-05-06 for unitary rail clip assembly for connecting a fence rail to a fence post.
Invention is credited to Robert E. Platt.
Application Number | 20100108969 12/683849 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42130283 |
Filed Date | 2010-05-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100108969 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Platt; Robert E. |
May 6, 2010 |
UNITARY RAIL CLIP ASSEMBLY FOR CONNECTING A FENCE RAIL TO A FENCE
POST
Abstract
A rail clip assembly for connecting a fence rail to a fence
post. The assembly comprises a housing slidably engaged with a
L-shaped connector bracket that is securable to the post. The
bracket has a first leg with a second leg extending outwardly
therefrom, and a detent integral with the first leg and extending
outwardly therefrom in the opposite direction to the second leg.
The first leg is received through a slot in a perimeter wall of the
housing and the detent engages in a recessed area in the housing's
rear wall. The second leg abuts an exterior surface of the
perimeter wall and a fastener secures the second leg to both the
perimeter wall and the rail retained within the housing.
Inventors: |
Platt; Robert E.; (Mineral
Ridge, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SAND & SEBOLT
AEGIS TOWER, SUITE 1100, 4940 MUNSON STREET, NW
CANTON
OH
44718-3615
US
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Family ID: |
42130283 |
Appl. No.: |
12/683849 |
Filed: |
January 7, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12500670 |
Jul 10, 2009 |
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12683849 |
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11485849 |
Jul 12, 2006 |
7568680 |
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12500670 |
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11405840 |
Apr 18, 2006 |
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11485849 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
256/65.04 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F 11/1836 20130101;
E04H 17/1452 20210101; E04H 17/1447 20210101; E04H 17/1417
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
256/65.04 |
International
Class: |
E04H 17/14 20060101
E04H017/14 |
Claims
1. A rail clip assembly for securing a fence rail to a fence post;
said assembly comprising: a housing having a rear wall with a
perimeter wall extending outwardly and forwardly away therefrom;
wherein the rear and perimeter walls together define an interior
chamber adapted to receive an end of the fence rail therein; and
wherein the rear wall has a front surface and a rear surface and
defines a recessed area in the front surface and an opening to the
recessed area in the rear surface, and wherein the perimeter wall
defines a slot therein; a connector bracket having: a first leg
receivable through the slot in the perimeter wall a second leg
integral with the first leg and extending outwardly away therefrom
such that the second leg cannot pass through the slot when the
first leg is received therethrough; a detent integrally formed with
the first leg and extending outwardly away therefrom in a direction
opposite to said second leg; said detent engaging in the recessed
area in the rear wall of the housing when the first leg is received
through the slot; and a fastener adapted to secure the fence rail
to both of the second leg and perimeter wall of the housing.
2. The rail clip assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the first
leg of the connector bracket has a top end, a bottom end, a front
surface and a rear surface; and wherein the detent is integrally
formed with and extends outwardly away from the rear surface of the
first leg.
3. The rail clip assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the detent
is smaller in size than the first leg of the connector bracket.
4. The rail clip assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein the first
leg has first and second sides that extend between the top and
bottom ends thereof, and the detent is disposed intermediate the
first and second sides and a portion of rear surface of the first
leg extends outwardly beyond the detent in at least one
direction.
5. The rail clip assembly as defined in claim 4, wherein the detent
is disposed substantially equidistant between the first and second
sides and portions of the rear surface of the first leg extend
outwardly beyond the detent in at least two directions.
6. The rail clip assembly as defined in claim 4, wherein the
portion of the rear surface of the first leg that extends outwardly
beyond the detent abuts a front surface of the rear wall of the
housing when the detent is engaged in the recessed area in the rear
wall.
7. The rail clip assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein the detent
has a back surface that is disposed substantially parallel to the
rear surface of the first leg, and the detent further has a side
wall that extends between the back surface and the rear surface of
the first leg.
8. The rail clip assembly as defined in claim 7, wherein the side
wall of the detent is disposed at an acute angle relative to the
rear surface of the first leg.
9. The rail clip assembly as defined in claim 8, wherein the angle
of the side wall of the detent is such that the detent tapers in
width from the rear surface of the first leg outwardly toward the
back surface of the detent.
10. The rail clip assembly as defined in claim 7, wherein the side
wall of the detent includes a shoulder and the rear wall of the
housing includes a complementary shoulder in the recessed area
thereof, and wherein the shoulder on the detent interlockingly
engages with the shoulder on the rear wall.
11. The rail clip assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the
detent is frictionally retained in the recessed area.
12. The rail clip assembly as defined in claim 1, further
comprising a second detent integral with the first leg and spaced a
distance from the detent, and wherein said second detent extends
outwardly away from the first leg, and wherein both of the detent
and second detent are received within the recessed area of the rear
wall of the housing when the first leg is received through the
slot.
13. The rail clip assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the
connector bracket is substantially L-shaped and the first leg is
disposed substantially at right angles to the second leg.
14. The rail clip assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein the
second leg extends outwardly and forwardly away from the bottom end
of the first leg and abuts an exterior surface of the perimeter
wall when the first leg is received through the slot.
15. The rail clip assembly as defined in claim 1, further
comprising at least one aperture that extends through both of the
first leg and the detent.
16. The rail clip assembly as defined in claim 15, further
comprising at least one second fastener that extends through the at
least one aperture in the first leg and the detent and is adapted
to secure the first leg and the detent to the fence post.
17. The rail clip as defined in claim 1, further comprising an
aperture that extends through the second leg from an interior
surface thereof to an exterior surface thereof; and wherein the
fastener extends through the aperture.
18. The rail clip as defined in claim 1, wherein the detent has a
back surface that is substantially coplanar with a rear surface of
the rear wall when the detent is received in the recessed area.
19. The rail clip assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the slot
in the perimeter wall of the housing is adjacent the rear wall
thereof and the slot is substantially continuous with the opening
in the rear wall.
20. In combination: a fence rail; a fence post; and a rail clip
assembly for connecting the fence post and fence rail together;
said assembly comprising: a housing having a rear wall with a front
surface and a rear surface, where the rear surface is disposed in
abutting contact with a sidewall of the fence post; said housing
further including a perimeter wall that extends outwardly and
forwardly away from the rear wall; and wherein the rear and
perimeter walls together define an interior chamber that receives
an end of the fence rail therein; and wherein the rear wall defines
a recessed area in the front surface thereof and an opening to the
recessed area in the rear surface thereof, and wherein the
perimeter wall defines a slot therein; a connector bracket having:
a first leg receivable through the slot in the perimeter wall; a
detent integrally formed with the first leg and extending outwardly
away therefrom; said detent engaging in the recessed area in the
rear wall of the housing when the first leg is received through the
slot; and a second leg integrally formed with the first leg and
extending outwardly away therefrom such that the second leg cannot
pass through the slot when the first leg is received therethrough;
a fastener that secures the second leg of the connector bracket to
both of the fence rail and the perimeter wall of the housing.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 12/500,670, filed Jul. 10, 2009, which is a Continuation
of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/485,849, filed Jul. 12,
2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,568,680, which is a continuation-in-part
of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/405,840, filed Apr. 18,
2006, now abandoned, the entire specifications of all of which are
incorporated herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] This invention generally relates to fencing systems. More
particularly, the invention relates to a rail clip assembly for
securing a fence rail to a fence post. Specifically, the invention
relates to a rail clip assembly that includes an L-shaped connector
bracket having an integral detent that engages in a recessed area
in the rear wall of the assembly's housing when a first leg of the
bracket is received through a slot in the housing's perimeter
wall.
[0004] 2. Background Information
[0005] A variety of rail clips have been proposed in the prior art
for connecting vinyl fence rails to vinyl fence posts. These clips
have typically included a mounting base portion that is secured to
the rail and which includes a rail-end shaped receptacle to receive
the end of the rail therein. One of the reasons these rail clips
have been used is to provide a neat, finished connection between
the two components. The clips hide incorrectly cut rail ends,
evidence of previous attempts to connect the rail and post together
and the apparent elimination of gaps between the connected rail
ends and the posts. In order to provide a more
aesthetically-pleasing device, it is common for the rail clip to be
in the magnitude of one to two inches deep. Rail clips that are
deeper than this tend to give the rail a cumbersome appearance.
[0006] A second consideration when connecting fence rails to fence
posts is the existence of rules and regulations governing building
standards, In recent years, building codes have required that the
rail clip provided must ensure that the end of the rail cannot pop
out of the rail clip when a lateral force is applied to the rail.
In other types of rail connectors, the rail clip itself is slidably
engaged with a mounting base that is first secured to post. In this
type of situation, the rail clip has tended to pop off the mounting
base, thereby releasing the rail.
[0007] There is therefore a need in the art for a rail clip
assembly that will connect a horizontal rail to a vertical post and
that will resist the tendency for the rail to pop out of the clip
when a lateral force is applied to the rail.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] A rail clip assembly for connecting a fence rail to a fence
post. The assembly comprises a housing slidably engaged with an
L-shaped connector bracket that is securable to the post. The
bracket has a first leg with a second leg extending outwardly
therefrom, and a detent integral with the first leg and extending
outwardly therefrom in the opposite direction to the second leg.
The first leg is received through a slot in a perimeter wall of the
housing and the detent engages in a recessed area in the housing's
rear wall. The second leg abuts an exterior surface of the
perimeter wall and a fastener secures the second leg to both the
perimeter wall and the rail retained within the housing. The rail
clip assembly aids in preventing the rail from disengaging from the
housing when a lateral force is applied to the rail.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The preferred embodiments of the invention, illustrative of
the best mode in which applicant has contemplated applying the
principles, are set forth in the following description and are
shown in the drawings and are particularly and distinctly pointed
out and set forth in the appended claims.
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fence rail connected to a
fence post using the rail clip assembly of the present
invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional bottom view of the fence
rail and rail clip assembly of FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of a fence rail being
engaged with the rail clip assembly of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the rail clip assembly through
line 4-4 of FIG. 3;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a rear view of the rail clip assembly, mounting
bracket and mounting base taken through line 5-5 of FIG. 3;
[0015] FIG. 6 is cross-sectional side view of the rail being
inserted into the rail clip assembly;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of the rail secured to
the rail clip assembly;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a rear view of the rail clip assembly engaged with
the rail and taken through line 8-8 of FIG. 7;
[0018] FIG. 9 is top view through line 9-9 of FIG. 7;
[0019] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional side view of a second
embodiment of the rail clip assembly in accordance with the present
invention;
[0020] FIG. 11 is a rear view of the rail and rail clip assembly
through line 11-11 of FIG. 10;
[0021] FIG. 12 is a top view of the rail and rail clip assembly
through line 12-12 of FIG. 10;
[0022] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional side view of a third embodiment
of a rail clip assembly in accordance with the present invention
incorporating a unitary connector bracket for securing the rail
clip to a fence post;
[0023] FIG. 14 is a rear view of the rail clip assembly and
connector bracket of FIG. 13;
[0024] FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of the connector bracket
of FIG. 13;
[0025] FIG. 16 is a rear perspective view of the connector bracket
of FIG. 13;
[0026] FIG. 17 is a rear perspective view of an alternative
embodiment of the unitary connector bracket showing a pair of
spaced apart detents thereon.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0027] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a rail clip assembly in
accordance with the present invention and being generally indicated
at 10. Rail clip assembly 10 is shown in FIG. 1 securing a
substantially horizontal fence rail 12 to a substantially vertical
fence post 14. Both rail 12 and post 14 are preferably manufactured
from vinyl or fiber composite fencing materials.
[0028] Referring to FIGS. 2-4, rail clip assembly 10 preferably
includes a housing 11 having a perimeter wall that comprises a top
wall 16, a bottom wall 18, and side walls 20. Walls 16, 18 and 20
extend outwardly away from a rear wall 22. These walls preferably
are integrally manufactured with each other by a process such as
molding. The walls 16-22 surround and define an interior chamber 24
that is adapted to receive an end of rail 12 therein. Chamber 24 is
complementary sized and shaped to snugly receive the end of rail 12
therein.
[0029] Housing 11 of rail clip assembly 10 is designed to be
secured to post 14 by two components, namely a mounting base 26 and
a L-shaped mounting bracket 28. Base 26 is a substantially planar
member having a front surface 26a and a back surface 26b and a
peripheral wall 26c. As shown in FIGS. 3&5, peripheral wall 26c
tapers from front surface 26a to back surface 26b. Base 26
preferably is manufactured from the same material as housing 11.
Bracket 28 comprises a substantially L-shaped member having a first
leg 30 and a second leg 32. Preferably, bracket 28 is manufactured
from a suitable metal. Housing 11 is designed to engage both base
26 and bracket 28. Housing 11 includes a complementary tapered
first recess 34 that is configured to tightly receive base 26
therein. Rail clip assembly further includes a second recess 36
that is differently shaped to first recess 34, and is configured to
receive the first leg 30 of bracket 28 therein. First and second
recesses preferably are substantially continuous with each other.
Furthermore, second recess 36 is also substantially continuous with
interior cavity 24 of housing 11. An opening 38 (FIG. 4) to both of
first and second recesses 34, 36 is provided in bottom wall 18 of
housing 11. Recess 34 preferably also has an opening 40 (FIG. 5) in
rear wall 22 of housing 11. Opening 40 is smaller than the back
surface 26b of base 26 so that base 26 cannot pass through opening
40.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 3, rail clip assembly 10 is used in the
following manner to secure rail 12 to post 14. Back surface 26b of
base 26 is placed into abutting contact with the outer surface 14a
of post 14. The first leg 30 of the L-shaped bracket 28 is placed
into abutting contact with front surface 26a of base 26. Fasteners
42 are used to secure both first leg 30 of bracket 28 and base 26
to post 14. It will be understood that both the first leg 30 and
base 26 preferably are provided with appropriate holes for
receiving fasteners 42 therethrough, so that the correct
positioning of the two components is ensured. Alternatively,
however, holes may be drilled through first leg 30 and base 26
during installation of rail clip assembly 10. When bracket 28 and
base 26 are secured to post 14, the second leg 32 of bracket 28
extends outwardly away from the exterior wall of post 14 and
substantially at right angles thereto.
[0031] Rear wall 22 of housing 11 is then placed in abutting
contact with outer surface 14a of post 14 and is slid downwardly in
the direction of arrow "A" (FIGS. 3&5). This downward movement
causes the uppermost ends of base 26 and first leg 30 of bracket 28
to enter first and second recesses 34, 36. Housing 11 is moved
downwardly until bottom wall 18 abuts second leg 32 of bracket 28.
An end of rail 12 is then inserted into cavity 24 of housing 11
(FIG. 6). Once the outermost end 12a abuts a portion of rear wall
22 of housing 11 and first leg 30 of bracket 28, a second fastener
44 is inserted through hole 46 in bracket 28 and is screwed through
bottom wall 18 of housing 11 and into rail 12 (FIG. 7). This
securement substantially prevents rail 12 from being withdrawn from
cavity 24. Furthermore, the fastener 44 also prevents rail 12 from
being moved laterally and causing rail 12 and rail clip assembly 10
to be dislodged from base 26.
[0032] FIGS. 10-12 show an alternative embodiment of a rail clip
assembly in accordance with the present invention and generally
indicated at 210. Rail clip assembly 210 is substantially identical
to clip 10 in that it includes a housing 211 having a perimeter
wall that comprises a top wall 216, a bottom wall 218, side walls
(not shown) and a rear wall 222. The walls 216-222 surround and
define an interior chamber 224 that is adapted to receive an end of
rail 212 therein. Rear wall 222 is provided with a tapered first
recess 234 and a second recess 236 that is contiguous therewith.
First recess 234 is smaller in area than is second recess 236.
Bottom wall 218 of housing 211 includes a first aperture 238
therein that is sufficiently wide enough to receive both first leg
230 of mounting bracket 228 and mounting spacer 280 therethrough as
shown in FIG. 12.
[0033] Housing 211 is designed to be secured to post 214 by one or
more mounting spacers 280 and a L-shaped mounting bracket 228.
Mounting spacers 280 are used in the place of base 26 and are
washer-like members that are sized to be received within the
tapered first recess 234 in housing 211. First recess 234 has a
depth "R" (FIG. 12) and each mounting spacer 280 has a
substantially equal thickness "R". First recess 234 further has a
narrowest width "S" and each mounting spacer has a diameter that is
substantially equal to that width "S". Mounting spacers 280
preferably are manufactured from the same material as housing 211
and have a back surface 280a, a front surface 280b and a central
aperture 282 therein. Bracket 228 is substantially identical to
bracket 28 and is complementary shaped to be received within second
recess 236 in housing 211.
[0034] Rail clip assembly 210 is used in the following manner to
secure rail 212 to post 214. Back surface 280a of each mounting
spacer 280 is placed into abutting contact with the outer surface
214a of post 214. The first leg 230 of the L-shaped bracket 228 is
placed into abutting contact with front surfaces 280b of mounting
spacers 280. Fasteners 242 are used to secure both first leg 230 of
bracket 228 and mounting spacers 280 to post 214. It will be
understood that both the first leg 230 and mounting spacers 280
preferably are provided with appropriate holes, such as central
aperture 282 in mounting spacers 280, for receiving fasteners 242
therethrough. This ensures the correct positioning of the
components. Alternatively, however, holes may be drilled through
first leg 230 and mounting spacers 280 during installation of rail
clip assembly 210. When bracket 228 and mounting spacers 280 are
secured to post 214, the second leg 232 of bracket 228 extends
outwardly away from the exterior wall of post 214 and substantially
at right angles thereto.
[0035] Rear wall 222 of housing 211 is then placed in abutting
contact with outer surface 214a of post 214 and is slid downwardly
in the direction of arrow "X" (FIG. 10). This downward movement
causes mounting spacers 280 and first leg 230 of bracket 228 to
enter first and second recesses 234, 236, respectively. Housing 211
is moved downwardly until bottom wall 218 abuts second leg 232 of
bracket 228. An end of rail 212 is then inserted into cavity 224 of
housing 211. Once the outermost end 212a abuts a portion of rear
wall 222 of housing 211 and first leg 230 of bracket 228, a second
fastener 244 is inserted through hole 246 in bracket 228 and is
screwed through bottom wall 218 of housing 211 and into rail 212
(FIG. 10). This securement substantially prevents rail 212 from
being withdrawn from cavity 224. Furthermore, the fastener 244 also
prevents rail 212 from being moved laterally and causing rail 212
and housing 211 to be disengaged from base 226.
[0036] Referring to FIGS. 13-15 there is shown a rail clip assembly
in accordance with the present invention in which a unitary
mounting connector bracket 390 is utilized. The rail clip assembly
is generally indicated at 310 and is substantially identical to the
rail clip assembly 10 shown in FIGS. 1-9.
[0037] Rail clip assembly 310 comprises a housing 311, having a top
wall 316, a bottom wall 318, side wall 320 and rear wall 322. Top,
bottom, and side walls 316, 318, 320 comprise a perimeter wall of
the housing 311. The perimeter wall together with the rear wall 322
surrounds and defines an interior chamber 324 configured to receive
an end 312a of a fence rail 312 therein. Rail clip assembly 310 is
designed to secure rail 312 to fence post 314 in such a manner that
lateral forces on the rail 312 will not tend to disengage assembly
310, and therefore rail 312, from post 314.
[0038] Referring to FIGS. 13-16, housing 311 is substantially
identical to housing 11 and includes a tapered first recess 334 and
a second recess 336. Second recess 336 is differently shaped to
first recess 334. First and second recesses 334, 336 are defined in
rear wall 322 and preferably are substantially continuous with each
other. Second recess 336 is also substantially continuous with
interior cavity 324 of housing 311. A slot 338 in bottom wall 318
is continuous with each of first and second recesses 334, 336.
First recess 334 also has an opening 340 in rear wall 322 of
housing 311.
[0039] In accordance with the present invention, a unitary,
integrally formed L-shaped connector bracket 390 is provided to aid
in securing rail clip assembly 310 to both of rail 312 and fence
post 314. Connector bracket 390 has a first leg 392 and a second
leg 394 that are integrally formed and are disposed substantially
at right angles to each other. First leg 392 has a front surface
392a, a rear surface 392b, first and second sides 392c, 392d, a top
end 392e and bottom end 392f. Extending outwardly and rearwardly
from rear surface 392b, is a detent 396 that is integral with first
leg 392 and extends outwardly therefrom in the opposite direction
to second leg 394. Detent 396 is complementary in shape and size to
first recess 334 in rear wall 322 of housing 311 while first leg
392 is complementary in shape and size to second recess 336 in rear
wall 322. Detent 396 preferably is smaller in size than first leg
392 and is disposed intermediate, and preferably equidistant from
first and second sides 392c, 392d of first leg 392. Consequently, a
portion of the rear surface 392b of first leg 392 extends outwardly
for a distance beyond detent 396 in at least one direction. This
portion of the rear surface 392b engages the front surface 322a of
rear wall 322 when first leg 392 is received through slot 338.
[0040] Detent 396 has a side wall 396a and a back surface 396a.
Back surface 396a is substantially parallel to rear surface 392b of
first leg 392. Detent 396 preferably includes a pair of shoulders
397 on its side wall 396a that are designed to interlockingly
engage a complementary pair of shoulders 341 (FIG. 14) on rear wall
322 when detent 396 is frictionally engaged in recessed area 344.
Back surface 396b of detent 396 is of a width W1 from these
shoulders 397 upwardly toward top end 396c of detent 396. Back
surface 396b is narrower than width W1 from shoulders 397
downwardly toward bottom end 396d of detent 396. Additionally, side
wall 396a of detent 396 preferably tapers from proximate rear
surface 392b of first leg 392 outwardly toward the detent's back
surface 396a. In other words, side wall 396a of detent 396 is
disposed at an acute angle relative to the rear surface 392b of
first leg 392. The width W2 of detent measured where side wall 396a
joins rear surface 392b of first leg 392 is greater than W1. First
leg 392 is of a width W3 that is greater than both of W1 and W2.
Furthermore, second leg 394 preferably has a width W4 that is even
greater than the width W3 of first leg 392. As can be seen from the
attached figures, detent 396 is smaller in size than first leg 392
and is specifically of a smaller width than first leg 392. It will
be understood, however that connector bracket 390 could be
differently formed and that the detent could be larger in size than
the first leg.
[0041] At least one, and preferably two apertures 398 are provided
through first leg 392 and detent 396 so that the apertures 398
extend from front surface 392a of first leg through to rear surface
396b of detent 396. Apertures 398 are spaced vertically apart from
each other. Second leg 394 is also provided with at least one and
preferably two apertures 399 therein. Apertures 399 extend between
an interior surface 394a and exterior surface 394b of second leg
394 and preferably are spaced horizontally apart from each
other.
[0042] Connector bracket 390 may be engaged with rail clip assembly
310 in a number of ways. In a first way, connector bracket 390 is
first secured to fence post 314 and then rail clip assembly 310 is
slidably engaged with connector bracket 390. In this instance, rear
surface 396b of detent 396 is placed into abutting contact with the
outer surface 314a of post 314. Fasteners 342 are inserted through
apertures 398 in first leg 392 of connector bracket 390 and are
screwed into post 314. Thus, second leg 394 of connector bracket
390 extends outwardly away from outer surface 314a of fence post
314 and substantially at right angles thereto. Rear wall 322 of
housing 311 is then placed in abutting contact with outer surface
314a of post 314 and rail clip assembly 310 is moved downwardly in
the direction of arrow "A" (FIG. 14). This downward movement causes
first leg 392 of connector bracket 390 to enter the slot 338 in
bottom wall 318 of housing 311. The top end 396c of detent 396
moves into first recess 334 in housing 311 and top end 392e of
first leg 392 enters second recess 336 therein. Housing 311 is
moved downwardly in the direction of arrow "A" until the bottom
wall 318 thereof abuts the interior surface 394a of second leg 332
of connector bracket 390. At this point, first leg 392 of connector
bracket 390 is disposed within the interior cavity 324 of rail clip
assembly 310 with the rear surface 392b of first leg 392 in
abutting contact with a portion of the front surface 322a of rear
wall 322 of housing 311. Detent 396 of connector bracket 390 is
retained within first recess 334 with rear surface 396a of detent
being substantially flush with rear surface 322b of rear wall 322
of housing 311. Second leg 394 of connector bracket 390 is disposed
outside of housing 311 with the interior surface 394a of second leg
394 in abutting contact with exterior surface 318a of bottom wall
318.
[0043] A second way in which connector bracket 390 and housing 311
can be secured together is by first inserting first leg 392 of
connector bracket 390 through slot 338 in bottom wall 318 of
housing 311. The connector bracket 390 is then pushed inwardly
toward housing 311 until second leg 394 of connector bracket 390
abuts exterior surface 318a of bottom wall 318. At this point,
first leg 392 of connector bracket 390 is disposed within cavity
324 of housing 311 with detent 396 engaged in first recess 334.
Rear wall 322 of housing 311 is then placed in abutting contact
with the outer surface 314a of fence post 314. Fasteners 342 are
then inserted through the apertures 398 in first leg 392 and are
screwed into fence post 314.
[0044] Once housing 311 with connector bracket 390 is secured to
fence post 314, the end 312a of rail 312 is then inserted into
cavity 324 of housing 311. Rail 312 is pushed inwardly until end
312a abuts a portion of front surface 322a of rear wall 322 and a
portion of front surface 392a of first leg 392 of connector bracket
390. Second fasteners 344 are inserted through apertures 399 in
second leg 394 of connector bracket 390 and are screwed through
bottom wall 318 of housing 311 and into rail 312. This securement
substantially prevents rail 312 from being withdrawn from cavity
324. Furthermore, the fasteners 344 also prevent rail 312 from
being moved laterally and causing rail 312 and rail clip assembly
310 to be dislodged from connector bracket 390.
[0045] FIG. 17 shows an additional embodiment of an L-shaped
connector bracket in accordance with the present invention and
generally indicated at 490. In this instance connector bracket 490
is substantially identical to connector bracket 390 and is designed
for use with a housing that is substantially identical to housing
311. Connector bracket 490 is a unitary L-shaped member having a
first leg 492 and a second leg 494, where the second leg 494 is
disposed substantially at right angles to the first leg 492 and
extends outwardly therefrom in a first direction. Connector bracket
490 differs from connector bracket 390 in that instead of having a
single detent 396 extending outwardly and rearwardly from the rear
surface 392b of first leg 392, a pair of detents 496 extend
outwardly away therefrom in a second direction relative to the
second leg 494. Detents 496 are spaced a distance vertically apart
from each other. Each detent 496 has a tapered side wall 496a and a
back surface 496b. Back surface 496b is substantially parallel to
the rear surface 492b of the first leg 492. In other words, the
side wall 496a is disposed at an acute angle relative to the rear
surface 492b of the first leg 492.
[0046] An aperture 498 is defined generally through the center of
each detent 496 and extends from the front surface 492a of first
leg 492 through to the rear surface 496b of detent 496. Detents 496
have a width that is complementary to the width of the opening in
the rear wall of the rail clip assembly such that detents 496
frictionally are engaged in the rear wall's recessed area. Second
leg 494 of connector 490 defines at least two apertures 499 therein
that are designed to receive fasteners therethrough. Connector
bracket 490 is used in substantially the same manner as connector
bracket 390 to secure the rail clip assembly to the rail and fence
post.
[0047] In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used
for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary
limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of
the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes
and are intended to be broadly construed.
[0048] Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention
are an example and the invention is not limited to the exact
details shown or described.
* * * * *