U.S. patent application number 12/889171 was filed with the patent office on 2011-03-31 for panel and kit for constructing fence.
This patent application is currently assigned to STUDIO MILAN DESIGN BUILD, INC.. Invention is credited to Milan Mitrovic.
Application Number | 20110073823 12/889171 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43779277 |
Filed Date | 2011-03-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110073823 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mitrovic; Milan |
March 31, 2011 |
PANEL AND KIT FOR CONSTRUCTING FENCE
Abstract
A kit and a connector are provided for constructing a fence or
barrier. The kit can include upper and lower rails formed with
bar-connecting holes distributed along their lengths. First and
second bar sections together with the rails can be used to form a
fence panel. The first bar sections are mounted between and connect
the upper and lower rails and extend between aligned pairs of holes
in the upper and lower rails. The second bar sections are
connectable to the tops of the first bar sections and each is
mountable on the upper rail so as to extend upwardly from one of
the holes in this rail. Upper connecting mechanisms join the first
bar sections to the second bar sections. Lower connecting
mechanisms join the first bar sections to the lower rail at the
holes formed therein.
Inventors: |
Mitrovic; Milan;
(Mississauga, CA) |
Assignee: |
STUDIO MILAN DESIGN BUILD,
INC.
Mississauga
CA
|
Family ID: |
43779277 |
Appl. No.: |
12/889171 |
Filed: |
September 23, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
256/24 ; 256/59;
256/65.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 17/1439 20130101;
E04H 17/1448 20210101 |
Class at
Publication: |
256/24 ; 256/59;
256/65.01 |
International
Class: |
E04H 17/14 20060101
E04H017/14 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 25, 2009 |
CA |
2,680,727 |
Claims
1. A kit for constructing a fence panel or barrier panel, said kit
comprising: a lower rail and an upper rail, said rails being formed
with bar-connecting holes distributed along their length and
adapted to extend horizontally in an assembled fence with the lower
rail extending parallel to the upper rail; first bar sections for
mounting between and connecting the upper and lower rails so as to
form a fence panel, each bar section in use extending between an
aligned pair of said holes in the upper and lower rails; second bar
sections each connectable to a respective one of the first bar
sections to form a bar and mountable on the upper rail so as to
extend upwardly from a respective one of the bar-connecting holes
in the upper rail; upper connecting devices for joining upper ends
of the first bar sections to the upper rail and to said second bar
sections; and lower connecting devices for joining lower ends of
the first bar sections to the lower rail by means of the
bar-connecting holes formed therein, wherein when said fence or
barrier panel is constructed, said first and second bar sections
extend substantially perpendicular to said upper and lower
rails.
2. A kit according to claim 1 wherein each of said upper connecting
devices includes a threaded axial passage in an upper end section
of its respective first bar section and a threaded end section of
the second bar section connectable to its respective first bar
section by being threaded into said axial passage.
3. A kit according to claim 2 wherein said lower connecting devices
are bolts which are extendible through the bar-connecting holes in
the lower rail and wherein, when said fence or barrier panel fence
is assembled, each bolt extends into a further threaded axial
passage in a lower end section of a respective one of the first bar
sections.
4. A kit according to claim 2 including third bar sections for
mounting to said lower rail so as to extend downwardly from the
bar-connecting holes in the lower rail, wherein said lower
connecting devices include threaded end sections of said third bar
sections and further threaded axial passages in lower end sections
of the first bar sections, wherein each of said threaded end
sections of the third bar sections can be threaded into a
respective one of the further threaded axial passages to mount the
respective third bar section to the lower rail.
5. A kit according to claim 1 wherein each of the upper connecting
devices is a flexible clip which is insertable into an axial
passage of one of a respective one of said first bar sections and
said second bar sections and is formed with at least one engagement
member and the respective first bar section and second bar sections
are formed with side apertures, and wherein when each second bar
section is joined to its respective first bar section, said at
least one engagement member projects into said side apertures to
hold the two bar sections in locking engagement.
6. A kit according to claim 5 wherein said flexible clip has an
elongate U-shape, is insertable into said axial passage which is
formed in each second bar section, and is formed with two of said
at least one engagement member, and wherein each first bar section
is formed with two of said at least one side aperture near its
upper end which are adapted to receive the two engagement
members.
7. A kit according to claim 2 including a plurality of threaded
sleeve and collar pin assemblies for adjustably connecting the
first bar sections at opposite ends of the fence panel to adjacent
posts.
8. A kit for constructing and mounting a fence panel for a fence
having a plurality of posts comprising: elongate rails adapted for
mounting horizontally between adjacent posts so that upper and
lower rails can extend substantially from one post to an adjacent
post when the fence is erected; a plurality of bars adapted for
mounting between and joining the upper and lower rails in order to
construct said fence panel, the bars in the panel including two end
bars located at opposite ends of the fence panel; and a plurality
of connectors for attaching said end bars to adjacent posts of the
fence, each of said connectors including a collar section with a
bar-receiving hole whereby when one of said end bars is inserted
through said bar-receiving hole of a respective connector, the
connector is at least initially free to pivot about and along the
one end bar for connecting and adjustment purposes, each connector
further including an end section spaced from said collar section
and adapted for fixedly joining the connector to an adjacent
post.
9. A kit according to claim 8 wherein each connector comprises an
assembly that includes a collar pin, a separate elongate sleeve
member having an axial passageway formed therein, and a threaded
adapter providing said end section, wherein said collar pin has an
elongate shaft section adapted for insertion in said axial
passageway and said collar section, which is located at one end of
said shaft section.
10. A kit according to claim 8 wherein each connector includes a
threaded fastener for fixedly attaching the collar section of the
connector to its respective end bar after the position of said
connector on its end bar has been adjusted to a required position
for the fence.
11. A kit according to claim 9 wherein said elongate sleeve member
is internally threaded and said adapter has external threads
whereby said sleeve member can be threadably connected to said
adapter.
12. A kit according to claim 9 wherein each connector includes a
threaded fastener for fixedly attaching said shaft section to said
sleeve member after insertion of said shaft section into said
through passageway.
13. A connecting device for connecting a fence panel to a post,
said panel being made of a series of picket members and rails
connecting the picket members together, said connecting device
comprising: a collar pin having an elongate shaft section and a
collar section located at an end of the shaft section, said collar
section having an aperture for receiving one of said picket
members; an elongate connecting member formed with a central
passageway and adapted to receive said shaft section in said
passageway, said connecting member having first thread means for
securing said shaft section in said central passageway; and an
adapter for securing one end of said connecting member to a fence
post, said adapter having second thread means for securing said
connecting member to said adapter.
14. A connecting device according to claim 13 wherein said first
thread means comprises a screw member and a threaded screw hole in
a side of the connecting member for receiving said screw
member.
15. A connecting device according to claim 14 wherein said adapter
has an axial passage extending through said adapter and comprises
first and second portions with said first portion being wider in a
radial direction relative to said axial passage than said second
portion.
16. A connecting device according to claim 13 including a screw
member for fixedly securing said collar pin to said one picket
member, said collar section having a threaded hole, that extends to
said aperture, for, receiving said screw member.
17. A connecting device according to claim 15 including a bolt
adapted for connecting said adapter to the fence post, wherein said
axial passage is threaded and adapted for threaded engagement with
said bolt.
18. A connecting device according to claim 13 wherein said second
thread means comprises external threads formed around at least a
portion of said adapter and adapted to engage threads formed in
said central passageway of said connecting member.
19. A fence panel for constructing a fence, said panel comprising
an elongate upper fence rail; an elongate lower fence rail
extending substantially parallel to the upper fence rail, both
rails having a plurality of bar-connecting holes formed therein and
distributed along their lengths; first bar section extending
between and connecting the upper and lower fence rails, each first
bar section extending from one of said holes in the lower fence
rail to one of said holes in the upper fence rail; separate second
bar sections each connected to a respective one of the first bar
sections to form an elongate bar and each extending upwardly from a
respective one of said holes in the upper fence rail, said second
bar sections being mounted on the upper fence rail; and means for
connecting bottom ends of said first bar sections to said lower
fence rail using the bar-connecting holes in said lower fence
rail.
20. A fence panel according to claim 19 wherein each of said first
and second bar sections has a threaded end section and each first
bar section is threadably connected to its respective second bar
section by means of their threaded end sections at said upper
rail.
21. A fence panel according to claim 19 wherein said connecting
means comprise bolts each connecting a respective one of said
bottom ends to said lower fence rail, a bottom end section of each
first bar section having a threaded passage for threadably
receiving a respective one of said bolts.
22. A fence panel according to claim 19 wherein said connecting
means comprise a plurality of third bar sections each connected to
the bottom end of a respective one of the first bar sections and
each extending downwardly from the bar-connecting holes in the
lower fence rail, each third bar section having a threaded upper
end section which engages an internally threaded bottom end section
of a respective one of the first bar sections.
23. A fence panel according to claim 19 wherein each second bar
section is connected to its respective first bar section by a
flexible clip located in an axial passage of one of the second bar
section and its respective first bar section, said flexible clip
having at least one engagement member that projects into at least
one side aperture of the other of the second bar section and its
respective first bar section to lock the two bar section together.
Description
PRIOR APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority on basis of previously
filed Canadian Patent Application No. 2,680,727 filed Sep. 25,
2009.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to fences, barriers, panels for
constructing fences and barriers, kits for constructing a fence
panel or barrier, and connecting devices for connecting fence
panels to posts.
[0003] A variety of fence constructions and barrier constructions
are known in the fencing art including picket-type fences that
include fence posts, horizontal rails extending between the posts
and a series of vertical pickets or bars that are mounted on the
rails. Picket-type fences are often used for security or ornamental
purposes. A variety of materials have been used to construct
picket-type fences including wood, steel, iron and aluminum. The
assembly of such fences often requires several tools, some of these
tools being used to install various fastening devices that couple
the pickets, rails and posts. In the case of a metal fence,
particularly a fence made of steel or iron, the components can be
welded to one another. However these known methods of fence
construction can often lead to premature rusting. Indeed the known
fasteners for fences and welds can rust before other fence
components. Furthermore welded joints generally provided little, if
any flexibility in the fence construction.
[0004] Custom fabricated fences made of iron and steel are well
known and have been used for many years. However with such welded
fences, there are known difficulties including those already
mentioned. It can be difficult for the metal components to be
fitted together due to the problem of making field measurements and
the metal components have no built-in adjustability feature. It can
also be difficult to fully grind and polish the welds in order to
provide a pleasing, finished appearance. Furthermore, the heavy,
relatively large components used to construct many metal fences can
be costly to transport because of their bulk and weight.
[0005] Aluminum fence constructions are also known in the fencing
art, but it can be hard to construct an aluminum fence by welding
the components together. Because of these difficulties, aluminum
fences often employ components that are mechanically fastened
together but the use of such fasteners can result in fences that do
not have a pleasing appearance because the fasteners are often
visible. Such modern fence systems can also cause problems if the
fence line is not straight or the fences need to be installed on a
slope or uneven terrain.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,454,548 issued Oct. 3, 1995 to R. S. Moore
describes a fence construction wherein tubular members are joined
at right angles to form a fence or barrier. A series of poles or
bars having a square cross section are inserted through pre-punched
holes formed along horizontally extending fence rails. Both the
pickets and rails can be hollow tubes made of iron or aluminum. The
ends of the horizontal rails can be supported by means of brackets
which secure the rails to either posts or walls. Elongate coupling
bars can be used to secure the vertical poles or pickets in the
rail openings through which they extend.
[0007] More recent U.S. Pat. No. 7,025,335 issued Apr. 11, 2006 to
A. Q. Zhu describes a modular picket fence wherein horizontal rails
are connected to vertical posts by means of U-shaped brackets. The
rails are formed with a series of spaced apart apertures through
which the vertical pickets extend. A locking member is assembled
inside each end portion of each picket and this member has spring
biased stoppers that extend through transverse apertures in an end
section of the picket and also extend into the adjacent horizontal
rail when the end portion of the picket is inserted into the
rail.
[0008] In view of the known difficulties with existing fence
constructions, there is a need for an improved fence or barrier
panel, an improved kit for constructing a fence panel or a barrier
panel, and improved connecting devices for connecting fence panels
to fence posts.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0009] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a kit
for constructing a fence panel or barrier panel includes a lower
rail and an upper rail with these rails being formed with
bar-connecting holes distributed along their lengths. These rails
are adapted to extend horizontally in an assembled fence with the
lower rail extending parallel to the upper rail. The kit further
includes first bar sections for mounting between and connecting the
upper and lower rails so as to form a fence panel. Each bar section
in use extends between an aligned pair of the holes in the upper
and lower rails. There are also provided second bar sections each
connectable to a respective one of the first bar sections to form a
bar and mountable on the upper rail so as to extend upwardly from a
respective one of the bar connecting holes in the upper rail. Also
upper connecting devices are provided for joining upper ends of the
first bar sections to the upper rail and to the second bar
sections. Lower connecting devices are provided to join lower ends
of the first bar sections to the lower rail by means of bar
connecting holes formed therein. When the fence or barrier panel is
constructed, the first and second bar sections extend substantially
perpendicular to the upper and lower rails.
[0010] In an exemplary version of this kit, each of the upper
connecting devices includes a threaded axial passage in an upper
end section of its respective first bar section and a threaded end
section of the second bar section connectable to its respective
first bar section by being threaded into the axial passage.
[0011] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a
kit for constructing and mounting a fence panel for a fence having
a plurality of posts includes elongate rails adapted for mounting
horizontally between adjacent posts so that upper and lower rails
can extend substantially from one post to an adjacent post when the
fence is erected. The kit includes a plurality of bars adapted for
mounting between and joining the upper and lower rails in order to
construct the fence panel. The bars in each panel include two end
bars located at opposite ends of the fence panel. A plurality of
connectors for attaching the end bars to adjacent posts of the
fence are provided. Each connector includes a collar section with a
bar-receiving hole whereby when one of the end bars is inserted
through the bar-receiving hole of the respective connector, the
connector is at least initially free to pivot about and along the
one end bar for connecting and adjustment purposes. Each connector
further includes an end section spaced from the collar section and
adapted for fixedly joining the connector to an adjacent post.
[0012] In an exemplary version of this kit, each kit comprises an
assembly that includes a collar pin, a separate elongate sleeve
member having an axial passageway formed therein, and a threaded
adapter providing the end section which can be joined to the post.
The collar pin provides an elongate shaft section adapted for
insertion in the axial passageway. The collar section is connected
to one end of this shaft section.
[0013] According to still another embodiment of the present
disclosure, a fence panel for constructing a fence includes an
elongate upper fence rail and an elongate lower fence rail
extending substantially parallel to the upper fence rail. These two
rails have a number of bar-connecting holes formed therein and
distributed along their lengths. First bar sections extend between
and connect the upper and lower fence rails with each first bar
section extending from one of the holes in the lower fence rail to
one of the holes in the upper fence rail. Separate second bar
sections are each connected to a respective one of the first bar
sections to form an elongate bar. Each second bar section extends
upwardly from a respective one of the holes in the upper fence
rail. The second bar sections are mounted on the upper fence rail.
The panel also includes means for connecting bottom ends of the
first bar sections to the lower fence rail using the bar-connecting
holes in this rail.
[0014] According to an exemplary form of this panel, each of the
first and second bar sections has a threaded end section and each
first bar section is threadably connected to its respective second
bar section by means of their threaded end sections at the upper
rail.
[0015] According to a further embodiment of the invention, a
connecting device for connecting a fence panel to a post is
provided. The panel has a series of picket members and horizontal
rails connecting the picket members together. The connecting device
comprises a collar pin having an elongate shaft section and a
collar section secured to an end of the shaft section. The collar
section has an aperture for receiving snuggly one of the picket
members. The connecting device further includes an elongate
connecting member formed with a central passageway and adapted to
receive the shaft section in the passageway. This connecting member
has a first thread mechanism for securing the shaft section in the
central passageway. There is also an adapter for securing one end
of the connecting member to a fence post, this adapter having a
second thread mechanism for securing the connecting member to the
adapter.
[0016] In an exemplary form of this connecting device the first
thread mechanism comprises a screw member and a threaded screw hole
in a side of the connecting member for receiving the screw
member.
[0017] These and other aspects of the disclosed fence kits, fence
panels and fence connectors will become more readily apparent to
those having ordinary skill in the art from the following detailed
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. So
that those having ordinary skill in the art to which the present
disclosure pertains will more readily understand how to make and
use the subject invention, exemplary embodiments thereof will be
described in detail herein below with reference to the
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a section of fence
constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
[0019] FIG. 2a is a detail sectional view taken along the line
II-II of FIG. 1 showing one bar or picket and how it is attached to
upper and lower rails;
[0020] FIG. 2b is a cross sectional detail view of a lower rail
showing in detail how a lower end of a fence bar can be connected
thereto;
[0021] FIG. 3a is a detail elevational view showing how one solid
bar section can be joined to another solid bar section and a
rail;
[0022] FIG. 3b is a detail vertical cross-section showing how a
hollow bar section can be joined to another hollow bar section and
a tubular rail;
[0023] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a connecting device for connecting
a fence panel to a post which is shown in horizontal cross section
with one half of the connecting device being shown in axial
horizontal cross section for purposes of illustration;
[0024] FIG. 5 is a top view, partly in horizontal cross section, of
a collar pin for use in the connecting device of FIG. 4;
[0025] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a collar pin of FIG. 5, this
view showing the end connectable to the picket or bar;
[0026] FIG. 7 is a side view of an elongate connecting member which
forms another portion of the connecting device of FIG. 4, this view
showing one half of the connecting member in axial cross
section;
[0027] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the connecting member of
FIG. 7;
[0028] FIG. 9 is a side view of one form of an adapter which is a
third component of the connecting device of FIG. 4, one half of the
adapter being shown in axial cross section;
[0029] FIG. 10 is an end view of the adapter of FIG. 9;
[0030] FIG. 11 is an exploded view of another embodiment of the
picket connecting device with the connecting sleeve shown in axial
cross-section;
[0031] FIG. 12 is an exploded view of a further embodiment of the
picket connecting device with the connecting sleeve shown in axial
cross-section;
[0032] FIG. 13 is a side elevation showing an alternate method of
joining the connecting device to a post and to a bar or picket;
[0033] FIG. 14 is a cross sectional elevation of another embodiment
of fence picket or fence bar which is shown attached to upper and
lower rails shown in transverse cross section;
[0034] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of one of the clips used in
the picket of FIG. 14;
[0035] FIG. 16 is a front view of two fence sections wherein the
posts and the two fence panels are mounted at different
heights;
[0036] FIG. 17 is a plan view showing four panel sections connected
to three fence posts with each panel section extending at an obtuse
angle in a horizontal plane to the adjacent panel or panels;
[0037] FIG. 18 is a plan view of two fence panels constructed in
accordance with the invention attached to a single post with the
panels extending in the same vertical plane which is offset from
the post;
[0038] FIG. 19 is another plan view showing four fence panel
sections and four fence posts with adjacent panel sections
extending perpendicular to one another; and
[0039] FIG. 20 is a schematic top view of a gate employing a fence
panel constructed in accordance with the present disclosure and a
post to which the panel is pivotally attached.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0040] FIG. 1 illustrates a section of a fence 10 with two vertical
posts 12 which are mounted in the usual manner in the ground 14.
The posts can be made of a variety of known materials and can be
solid or hollow. In an exemplary version of the fence, the posts
can be made of the same material as the other major components of
the fence which include a plurality of fence bars or pickets 16 and
horizontal upper and lower rails 18 and 20. The assembled bars and
upper and lower rails together form a fence panel indicated
generally by reference 22. If the posts are made of metal, they are
preferably hollow tubes in order to reduce the weight of the post
and reduce their cost. In a manner known per se, the top of each
post can be covered with a suitable decorative top 24, if desired.
It will be understood that the length and height of the fence can
vary depending upon the particular requirements of the site. The
number of posts and fence panels can vary widely from just a few to
a large number.
[0041] An exemplary material for the construction of the main fence
components, including the post, the rails and the bars is aluminum
or aluminum alloy but it is also possible to construct these
components of steel, stainless steel or iron, if desired.
[0042] A fence in accordance with the present disclosure can be
constructed from a kit of the various fence components. Although
such a kit can include the posts 12, it is also possible for the
posts to be purchased or obtained separately. Kits according to the
invention can be in various forms and can, for example, comprise
the components required to construct one or more of the fence
panels 22. In addition to the fence panel components, the kit can
also include connecting devices 26 for connecting the fence panel
to an adjacent post. A kit for constructing a fence panel can
include a plurality of the lower rails 20 and a plurality of the
upper rails 18 which may or may not be identical in their
construction. By making the upper and lower rails identical one is
able to manufacture these rails using the same equipment including,
for example, an extrusion die when these rails are made of aluminum
or aluminum alloy. The rails can be substantially rectangular in
transverse cross section as illustrated in FIGS. 2a, 2b, 3a and 3b
and they can be either substantially solid except for
bar-connecting holes distributed along their length or hollow.
[0043] With respect to the rails shown in FIGS. 2a, 2b and 3a, the
illustrated upper and lower rails are of identical construction in
this embodiment. Each of these rails has two relatively short
vertical sides 28 and 30, a bottom 32 and a top 34. The bottom and
the top can be substantially flat except for bar-receiving holes
36. The length of the rails can vary depending on the fence
requirements but usually they will be provided in standard
lengths.
[0044] In a first embodiment of the bar or picket 16 for the fence,
each bar or picket includes a first bar section 42 and a second bar
section 44 each of which is connectable to a respective one of the
first bar sections. In the bar 16 illustrated in FIGS. 2a, 2b and
3a, these sections are made of solid metal such as solid aluminum
alloy but it is also possible to make these sections from hollow
metal tubes as shown by FIG. 3b, particularly a bar with a larger
transverse cross section. Each first bar section 42 is sized and
constructed for mounting between and connecting the upper and lower
rails of its respective panel. Thus the attachment of a series of
parallel first bar sections to upper and lower rails effectively
forms a fence panel having a substantially rectangular shape. Each
first bar section when assembled to its rails extends between an
aligned pair of the holes 36 in the upper and lower rails so that
the bar sections can be connected to the rails in the manner
described below. When connected to the rails they are parallel and
properly spaced.
[0045] When each second bar section 44 is attached to its
respective first bar section, they effectively form a bar or
picket. In some versions of the fence an additional bar section can
also be added to each bar or picket below the lower rail. Each
second bar section is mountable on a respective one of the upper
rails so as to extend upwardly from a respective one of the bar
connecting holes 36 in the upper rail.
[0046] A fence panel kit can also include upper connecting devices
for connecting upper ends of the first bar sections to their
respective upper rails and to the second bar sections as well as
lower connecting devices for joining the lower ends of the first
bar sections to their respective rails by means of the bar
connecting holes formed therein. In the bar or picket of FIGS. 2a
and 3a, the upper connecting devices each include a threaded axial
passage 52 in an upper end section of its respective first bar
section and a threaded integral end section 54 of the second bar
section. Thus the second bar section can be connected to its
respective first bar section by threading the end section 54 into
the axial passage 52.
[0047] Each bar or picket 16 can also include a third bar section
60, if desired. Thus the kit for constructing a fence panel can
include a plurality of third bar sections for mounting to the lower
rail or rails 20 with the third bar sections extending downwardly
from the bar connecting holes 36 in their lower rail. When the
third bar sections, which can again be solid or hollow, are used,
the aforementioned lower connecting devices can comprise threaded
integral end sections 62 of the third bar sections together with
threaded axial passages 64 formed in lower end sections of the
first bar sections. As shown in FIG. 2a, the threaded end section
of a third bar section can be threaded into a respective one of the
threaded axial passages 64 to mount the respective third bar
section to its lower rail.
[0048] As indicated, it is possible to construct a fence panel with
a kit according to the present invention without the use of third
bar sections. In this alternative version, the lower connecting
devices are bolts 70 where each bolt 70 extends through one of the
bar connecting holes 36 in the lower rail. Thus, when the fence or
barrier panel is assembled, each bolt extends into the threaded
axial passage 64 in the lower end section of a respective one of
the first bar sections. If desired the head of the bolt 70 can fit
wholly or partially into an annular recess 72 formed around the
bottom end of its respective hole 36. In this way the bolts are
less visible particularly when viewing the fence from normal eye
level.
[0049] If desired the upper end of the second bar section can be
tapered to form a point at 75. This is a well known feature of
picket fences and makes it more difficult for a possible intruder
to climb over the fence. If desired, a decorative annular disk 76
can be mounted on the second bar section, for example near the
centre of its length.
[0050] FIG. 3b illustrates an alternate construction for the
threaded connectors that can be used to connect the first bar
section to the second bar section and the third bar section to the
first bar section. In this embodiment only the adjacent end
sections of two bar sections are shown and it will be seen that the
bar sections are made of hollow metal tubes 43, 45. The open end of
the tube 45 has mounted therein a female insert 47 in which is
formed a threaded passage 49. The female insert can be pressure
fitted, welded or otherwise attached in the end of the tube.
Similarly inserted into the upper end of the tube 43 is a further
female insert 51. This insert is formed with an axial passage 53
which is threaded. The two female inserts can be connected together
by means of a screw 55 which can have a slot or recess formed in
one end to allow a tool to thread the screw into one of the female
inserts. Although the hollow bar sections can be attached to a
solid rail, such as the rail 18 shown in FIG. 3a, it is also
possible for the rail to be a hollow rail 57 with bar-connecting
holes distributed along its length. In an exemplary illustrated
embodiment, there is a smaller bar connecting hole 59 formed in the
top side of the rail and a substantially larger hole 61 formed in
the opposite side of the rail. The hole 61 can have a diameter just
slightly larger than the diameter of the tube 43 so that the upper
end of the tube can be inserted into the rail. The diameter of the
upper hole 59 can be slightly larger than the diameter of the screw
55 so that the screw can pass through this smaller hole. Thus when
the two tubes 43, 45 are connected by the screw 55, the bottom end
63 of the tube 45 will rest on the top of the rail 57.
[0051] FIG. 14 illustrates an alternate form of bar or picket
construction for use in a picket fence panel. This version of
picket is indicated generally at 80. In this fence bar or picket
the sections that make up the bar are hollow or substantially
hollow but, for purposes of this disclosure such pickets are still
considered bars of a fence panel. Each bar has a first bar section
42' which can have a generally uniform external diameter indicated
at D. Each first bar section extends between and is connected to a
hollow upper rail 82 and a similar hollow lower rail 84. Although
these two rails can be of identical construction they are oriented
differently as will be explained hereinafter. The rails in an
exemplary embodiment are constructed of extruded aluminum or
aluminum alloy and they have two opposing short sides at 85 and 86,
a top side 88 and a bottom side 90. Again each of these rails is
formed with a series of spaced apart bar-connecting holes but the
holes 92 on one side have a slightly larger diameter than holes 94
on the opposite side of the rail. The wider holes 92 are positioned
on the bottom of the upper rail when the fence is erected while the
wider holes 92 are on the top of the lower rail 84. The diameter of
the holes 92 is only slightly greater than the diameter D of the
first bar sections 42. Thus end sections of the first bar sections
can be inserted into both the upper and lower rails as shown in
FIG. 14. The second bar sections 44' are similar to the second bar
sections 44 shown in FIG. 2a except for the differences noted
herein. In particular at least a substantial portion, for example
the lower half of each second bar section is hollow, thus forming
an axial passage 98. A central section 100 of the second bar
section 44' can have an external diameter equal to D, that is, the
same as the external diameter of the first bar section. However a
bottom end section 102 has a slightly reduced external diameter
corresponding closely to the internal diameter of the first bar
section. Thus this bottom end section is insertable into the top
end of the first bar section as shown in FIG. 14.
[0052] Prior to mounting the second bar section on the upper rail a
flexible clip 104 is inserted into the axial passage 98. The clip
as illustrated is in the form of an elongate U-shaped member made
of a suitably flexible metal or plastic. When the second bar
section is upright with the clip therein, two parallel legs 106 of
the clip extend downwardly and near each of their bottom ends is an
engagement member or bump 108. Although there are two engagement
members shown, the clip can have only one engagement member or the
clip could be formed with several legs and several engagement
members. The engagement members project into respective side
apertures 110 formed in the bottom end section 102 and thus hold
the clip in its working position. In order to insert the second bar
section into its respective first bar section it is first necessary
to push inwardly on the engagement members so that they will not
interfere with the insertion of the bottom portion of the second
bar section into the hole 94 and into the upper end of the first
bar section. Additional side apertures 112 are formed in the upper
end section of the first bar section and when the second bar
section is fully inserted into the hole in the upper rail the two
engagement members 108 will extend outwardly into these apertures,
thereby holding the two bar sections in locking engagement. It may
be necessary to rotate the second bar section about its central
axis in order to position the engagement members so that they are
aligned with the apertures 112.
[0053] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that it
is equally possible to arrange the clip 104 in the passage 114
formed in the first bar section and then have the legs of a clip
extend upwardly to the two engagement members 108 which will then
project through the side apertures of the bar sections when the
second bar section is fully inserted. To facilitate this bar
construction, the external diameter of the first bar section can be
less than the diameter of the second bar section or at least the
bottom portion of the second bar section.
[0054] In a similar manner a third bar section 60' can be connected
to the bottom end of the first bar section using a further flexible
clip 115. Thus in this embodiment the clip 115 provides a lower
connecting device for joining the lower end of the first bar
section 42' to the lower rail 84 by means of the bar-connecting
holes 92, 94 formed in the lower rail. The third bar section 60'
can be hollow so as to form an axial through passage 118 in which
the clip can be inserted prior to mounting the third bar section. A
main, lower portion of the third bar section can have a diameter
equal to the diameter D of the first bar section. However an upper
end section 120 has a reduced diameter to permit this upper end
section to be inserted into the bottom end of the first bar
section. Engagement members 108 formed on the clip 115 will project
through side apertures 122 and 124 formed in the third bar section
and in the first bar section respectively. Not only does the clip
115 attach the third bar section to the first bar section so that
they are in locking engagement but it also acts to secure these two
bar sections to the lower rail.
[0055] The reduced diameter end sections of the first and third bar
sections can be readily formed using a known swaging process. The
side apertures such as apertures 110, 112 for the clip engagement
members need not necessarily be located within the upper or the
lower rail. Although this location is desirable if access to the
engagement members after assembly of the fence panel is not
desired, for example to prevent theft or vandalism, it is equally
possible to locate the side apertures so that they are outside the
rail after assembly of each bar or picket and their connection to
the rail. Thus for example the side apertures could be located at
positions 130 and 132 indicated in FIG. 14 if access and easy
disassembly is desirable for the fence.
[0056] Turning now to the connecting devices 26 that can be used to
attach each fence panel to its respective posts, one form of
connecting device 26 is illustrated by FIGS. 4 to 10. This
connecting device includes a collar pin 134 shown separately in
FIGS. 5 and 6 and an elongate connecting member or sleeve 136 shown
separately in FIGS. 7 and 8. The collar pin has an elongate shaft
section 138 and a collar section 140 at one end of the shaft
section. If desired the collar pin can be formed or machined from a
single metal piece. The shaft section has a circular cross section
and a central axis indicated at A. The width of the collar section
can be wider than the diameter of the shaft section or it can be
the same diameter (see FIGS. 11 and 12). Extending through the
collar section is a circular aperture 142 for receiving snuggly one
of the pickets or bar 16, 80. Formed in one side of or in the end
of the collar section is a threaded hole 144 sized to receive a
suitable socket screw or set screw which can be of standard
construction and well known in the fastening art. The set screw is
used to fixedly secure the connector to the end picket or end bar
after the fence panel has been properly positioned relative to its
fence post.
[0057] Turning now to the construction of the connecting member or
connecting sleeve 136, this member has a central axial passageway
146 extending its entire length. By means of this passageway, the
connecting member is adapted to receive the shaft section 138 which
can extend into a first portion 148 of the connecting member. Only
an end portion 150 of the passageway is threaded in one exemplary
embodiment with the remaining portion 148 being unthreaded. The
diameter of the passageway 148 is slightly greater than the
diameter of the shaft section 138. An exemplary embodiment of the
connecting member is formed with two threaded screw holes 152, 154,
each of these being provided near a respective end of the
connecting member. Each of these screw holes is provided to
accommodate a socket screw or set screw 155 used to secure in place
either the collar pin 134 or an adapter. The screw 155 extending
into the unthreaded portion 148 fixedly secures the collar pin in
position when the fence panel has been mounted between its post and
is in its proper position. An adapter 160 secures one end of the
connecting member 136 to a fence post 12. The adapter has external
threads, referred to herein as second thread means 162, for
securing the connecting member 136 to the adapter. In other words
the internal threads of the connecting member 136 engage the
external threads 162 of the second thread means. The adapter has an
axial passage 164 that extends through the adapter. The adapter has
a first portion 166 which is wider than a second portion 168, on
which the second thread means 162 are formed. The illustrated
adapter has a wider end 170 which has a curved contour matching
that of the post 12 to which the adapter is to be attached. If a
threaded fastener is to be used to connect the adapter to the post
the axial passage 164 is threaded.
[0058] FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate two possible variations of the
connecting device for connecting a fence panel to a post. Both the
connector assemblies of these figures are shown in exploded views
with the three main components separated. The connector of FIG. 11
is indicated generally by reference 170 and the portion of the post
to which the connector is being attached is indicated at 172. This
connecting device has a collar pin 174 which includes an elongate
shaft section 176 and a collar section 178, these two sections
being integrally connected together in the exemplary embodiment. A
substantial portion of the shaft section 176 is not threaded and
has a cylindrical exterior 180. The remaining portion of the shaft
section has threads 182. Like the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6, the
collar section has an aperture 183 for receiving snuggly one of the
picket members. The connecting device further includes an elongate
connecting member or sleeve 184 which again is formed with a
central passageway 186 which is adapted to receive the shaft
section 176. A major portion of the passageway has suitable threads
188 which can co-operate with the threads 182 in order to
adjustably secure the shaft section in the passageway 186. Thus it
will be seen that the overall length of the connector 170 can be
adjusted by threading the collar pin further into the member 184 or
threading it in the reverse direction to project the collar pin
further out of the member 184. Once the collar pin has been
properly adjusted in its position relative to the connecting member
184, it can be secured in this position by means of a set screw or
socket screw 190. This screw is threaded into a threaded hole 192
formed near one end of the member 184. The set screw can engage the
unthreaded portion of shaft section 176 and thereby can prevent
rotation of the collar pin about its longitudinal axis.
[0059] The connecting device also has an adapter 194 for securing
one end of the connecting member to the post 172. The adapter has
thread means 196 for securing the connecting member 184 to the
adapter, these threads being sized to engage the threads 188. The
adapter 194 also has an axial passage extending the length of the
adapter, this passage having a relatively wide section 198, and a
relatively narrow section 200 with a tapered shoulder being formed
between these two sections. The adapter can be connected to the
post by means of a rivet nut 202 which itself is of standard
construction and a suitable bolt 204 with its tapered head located
in the passageway of the adapter. A hole is formed in the side of
the post to receive the rivet nut. An exemplary form of the collar
pin 174 is provided with a set screw 206 which can be used to
secure the collar pin in its correct position on the fence bar or
picket. The illustrated set screw extends through a small axial
passage formed in the end of the collar pin. This passage can also
be formed in one side of the collar pin so long as it opens into
the aperture 183.
[0060] The variation shown in FIG. 12 is a connecting device 210
that includes a non-threaded collar pin 212 which can be similar in
its construction to the collar pin 134 of FIG. 5 except that its
collar section 214 has the same diameter as its shaft section 216.
This connecting device 210 has a non-threaded connecting member or
sleeve 218 with two threaded screw holes 220, 222. Engaged in these
screw holes are two set screws 224 and 226. The set screw 226 can
be used to secure the collar pin in the non threaded axial passage
230. Again the position of the collar pin is adjustable in the
axial direction relative to the connecting sleeve. This connecting
device 210 also has an adapter 232 which is relatively inexpensive
to make as it is formed with no threads. The axial passageway
formed in this adapter is similar to that in the adapter 194 and
this adapter can be attached by a rivet nut 202 and bolt 204. The
adapter has first and second portions with the first portion 234
being wider than a second portion 236 in a radial direction
relative to the axial passage. Extending about the circumference of
the second portion and midway along its length is a groove 240
which is adapted to receive the end of the set screw 224 when the
portion 236 is inserted into the passage 230. Thus the set screw is
used to connect the adapter to the sleeve member.
[0061] FIG. 13 illustrates an alternate method of connecting a
connecting device 260 to a post and also illustrates how this type
of connecting device can be used to attach a gate so that it can
pivot about a vertical axis. Shown in the figure are a fence post
172 and a gate picket or bar 262, only a portion of which is shown.
This connecting device has a collar pin 174 which can be the same
in its construction as that shown in FIG. 11. The gate bar 262
extends through the aperture 183 formed in the collar pin. However
the gate bar is free to rotate in the aperture in order to permit
the gate to swing about a vertical axis which is defined by the bar
262. In order to support the gate in the vertical direction on the
collar pin there is provided a stopper sleeve 264 which engages the
top of the collar pin as shown. The sleeve is held in its position
on the bar by means of a set screw 266. The connector 260 also has
a connecting member or sleeve 184 which can be constructed as shown
in FIG. 11 with threads which engage the threads on the collar pin
174. The connecting device also has an adapter 270 which has
features in common with the adapter 194 but which is not identical.
The adapter 270 has external threads 196 that can engage the
threads within the connecting member 184 in order to attach same to
the adapter. However the adapter 270 has an axial passage 272 which
is threaded. The adapter is connected to the post by means of a
standard bolt 274 which extends through the post and is threaded
into the adapter. In the exemplary construction shown, the bolt 274
also connects a further adapter 276 to the post. Thus a single bolt
can be used to connect two adapters on opposite sides of the post
172. The adapter 276 can be used to connect a fence panel (not
shown) by means of a picket or bar at the adjacent end of the fence
panel.
[0062] FIG. 16 illustrates the capability of the fence constructed
with the kit and connectors described herein to extend over uneven
ground. It will be appreciated that the height position of each
fence panel 22 is adjustable with respect to its respective post
12. The figure illustrates three posts 12 mounted on uneven ground
280. Because the panels 22 are movable initially because of the
adjustability of their connecting devices 26 it is possible for the
installer to lift each panel to a desired height. When the panel is
in its correct position, the aforementioned set screws 206 can then
be used to secure each of the collar pins 174 to their respective
end pickets. Thus panel height adjustment is easy to carry out and
the construction of the pickets or bars together with that of the
connectors allows some flexibility of the fence even on sloped
terrain.
[0063] FIGS. 17 to 19 illustrate how fences constructed with the
kits and connectors described herein can be erected in various plan
configurations. In the fence construction of FIG. 17 there are
three posts 12 and located on opposite sides of each post are two
fence panels 22. In this fence layout adjacent panels extend at a
large obtuse angle to one another. As shown the connectors for the
panels simply extend outwardly from opposite sides of each post. It
will be seen that the angle between adjacent panels (as seen in
plan view) can readily be varied depending on the requirements for
the particular fence.
[0064] FIG. 18 illustrates another advantage of the present fence
construction. This figure shows two fence panels 22 connected to a
single post 12. The two panels are aligned with one another in a
straight line. However, the post 12 to which they are mounted can
be offset from the aligned panels as shown. This can be
advantageous in some fence constructions, particularly where the
desired line of the fence differs from the line along which the
posts can be installed in the ground or other supporting surface.
Such fence constructions are possible because the collar pins of
the connectors can initially be rotated about their respective
pickets or bars and because the adapters, such as the adapter 194
shown in FIG. 11, can be attached to their respective posts at the
job site at any position about the circumference of the posts.
[0065] FIG. 19 illustrates another possible fence configuration
wherein the fence panels 22 extend perpendicular to the adjacent
panels. Again there are two panels 22 connected to three of the
illustrated posts 12. The four panels are individually identified
as panels 22a to 22d. The panels 22b and 22c are connected to each
other by a post and connectors 26 that extend at an angle of
135.degree. to their respective panels and that extend from
opposite sides of the post. However in the case of the connectors
that join the panels 22a and 22b to their common post 12, the
connectors extend at right angles to one another. In the case of
the connectors that join the panels 22c and 22d together, the
connectors 26' extend from opposite sides of the post 12 and lie in
the same plane, a plane defined by the panel 22d.
[0066] FIG. 20 illustrates how a gate can be provided in a fence
made with the fence kits and connectors described herein. The fence
gate is indicated generally at 290 and it is attached to a single
post 12 mounted in the ground. The gate is attached by means of two
or more connectors 26. In order to allow pivotal movement of the
gate, no set screws are used to secure the collar pins 174 to the
picket or bar that extends through these collar pins. The gate can
be prevented from moving upwardly or downwardly relative to its
connecting devices 26 by means of fixed sleeves 264 attached to the
bar that forms the pivot axis (see one of these sleeves illustrated
in FIG. 13). Because the gate can assert a significant force
pulling away from the post to which it is attached (as compared to
a regular fence panel which is secured at each of its ends), an
exemplary form of gate connector has an externally threaded collar
pin (such as a collar pin 174 of FIG. 11), the use of which
eliminates any longitudinal movement of the pin relative to its
connecting member 184.
[0067] While the present invention has been illustrated and
described as embodied in various exemplary embodiments, e.g.
embodiments having particularly utility in the construction of
fences, it is to be understood that the present invention is not
limited to the details shown herein, since it will be understood
that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in
the forms and details of the disclosed kits, connectors and fences
and their operation may be made by those skilled in the art without
departing in any way from the spirit and scope of the present
invention. For example, those of ordinary skill in this art will
readily adapt the present disclosure to various other applications
without departing from the spirit or scope of the present
invention.
* * * * *