Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Modular Fence Frame
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fence frame and more particularly to
modular
interconnecting rails and posts to frame a fence.
Background of the Invention
S A barrier or fence physically dividing two areas requires a framing system
generally composed of posts secured to a base or the ground and rails secured
to the posts
to support barner material to physically separate areas.
The present invention relates to a fence frame and more particularly modular
interconnecting rails and posts to frame a fence thus providing a system onto
which to
secure barner material to separate areas for a variety of purposes including
but not limited
to providing privacy, marking property boundaries and protecting or securing
an area from
outside access. Ideally, as the fence frame provides the foundation of the
fence, it needs to
be strong for most purposes, aesthetically pleasing in many cases and easy to
assemble.
Mufti-component systems have been designed to allow rails and posts to
interconnect. U.S. Patent 3,847,489 discloses a fence frame that includes a
multi-
component system that joins posts and rails. The connector used to join the
posts to the
rails, however, is somewhat awkward to use as it requires a component of the
connector to
be inserted into the hollow of the post where it must be manually positioned
such that the
outside joining portion of the connector can be fastened to the internal
component to
secure the connector to the post.
U.S. Patent 4,114,860 discloses a connector that joins a rail and a post to
structure
a fence frame by hooking an S-shaped arm over the top of the post thereby
connecting a
channel on the external part of the rail to the post. While this system is
easier to assemble
than the system discussed above in the '489 patent as no additional parts are
required to
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allow the connector to join the post and rail beyond the S-shaped arm noted,
it is a highly
restrictive assembly. That is, the relative position of the rail along the
post is determined
by the middle length of the S-shaped arm. Further, adjustments of the rail
along the post
cannot be made practically either during construction and over the lifetime of
the fence.
The relative position of the rail is for practical purposes set for the
lifetime of the frame.
The prior art is restricted further as post and rail designs vary. As such,
builders
are required to carefully plan construction of such frames to ensure that
there are no
wasted sections of post or rail at the end of construction.
The, present invention overcomes the problems noted above. It allows for a
simple
one piece connector to adjustably join elongate channels or any other external
interface
profiles found on both the post and rail to create a fence frame. The
simplicity of the one
piece connector allows the fence frame to be constructed more quickly.
An embodiment of the present invention is also directed to allowing for posts
and
rails to be interchanged further simplifying the fence frame and reducing the
number of
parts required for the fence frame and the expense utilized planning and
assembling more
complicated multipart systems. Effectively, in this embodiment, the post and
rail are the
same dimension in cross section and, therefore, it does not matter whether a
given section
of support material is used as a post or a rail. That is, there are
effectively only two parts
to the fence frame, the coupling and the support sections which are divided
into post and
rail sections.
The fence frame disclosed herein provides for a system that connects a rail to
a
post such that a barner material like wood can be secured between an upper and
lower rail
across the length of the frame thereby fencing a given boundary.
The fence frame disclosed also allows for alternative rail designs to be
implemented to while retaining the adjustability of the rail along the length
of the post.
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Summary of the Invention
A preferred embodiment of the present invention disclosed is a fence frame
comprising an elongate post, and elongate rail and a coupling. The elongate
post defines a
post axis where the post includes two opposing elongate side surfaces each of
which
defines an elongate post interface profile oriented substantially parallel to
the post axis and
a front surface. The elongate rail defines a rail axis where the rail includes
an abutting rail
surface defining an elongate rail interface profile oriented towards the front
surface such
that the rail axis is transverse to the post axis. The coupling is used to
attach the post and
rail such that the post and rail are mutually adjustable to one another. The
coupling
includes a end that has a pair of arms for engaging the post interface profile
and the
another end for positively engaging the rail interface profile.
A further embodiment of the invention disclosed is a fence frame wherein the
posts
and rails are the same cross-section such that they are interchangeable.
A further embodiment of the invention disclosed is a fence frame wherein the
profile found on the rail and post are dove tail channels and the end of the
coupling for
positively engaging the rail is a protrusion that is dove tail in cross
section.
A further embodiment of the invention disclosed is a fence frame where the
first
end of the coupling comprising arms engages the rail and the other end of the
coupling is
designed to positively engage the elongate profile on the post running
parallel to the post
axis. In this embodiment, the arms may be used to engage the elongate profile
defined on
opposing surfaces of the rail or engage the rail through a opening in the rail
at one of the
rail ends or engage a wood rail where the wood rail is able to slide between
and be secured
by the arms of the coupling.
A further embodiment of the invention discloses a kit made up of sections of
support material and several couplings. The sections of support material may
be divided
up into sections of posts and rails. The couplings are then used as described
above to join
the posts and rails. In this case the posts and rails are the same cross-
section and,
therefore, interchangeable.
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In all embodiments described, the posts and rails are coupled to each other
transversely.
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Detailed Description of the Drawings
Figure 1 shows a side view of a fence utilizing an embodiment of the fence
frame.
Figure 2 shows a top cross-sectional view of the fence frame at a rail / post
connection point along the line A-A of figure 1.
Figure 3 shows a side view of a fence frame at a rail / post connection point
along
the line B-B of figure 2.
Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a support.
Figure S shows a cross-sectional view of a coupling.
Figure 6 shows a view of the coupling along the line C-C of figure S.
Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of the fence
frame
at a post / rail connection point along line D-D of figure 1.
Figure 8 shows a top view of an embodiment of a terminal coupling.
Figure 9 shows a top view of a further embodiment of a coupling.
Figure 10 shows a cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of the fence
frame
at a post / rail connection point along line D-D of figure 1.
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Detailed Description
The present invention relates to a fence frame and more particularly to
modular
interconnecting rails and posts to frame a fence.
Figure 1 shows a fence 10 framed by a series of rails 12 and posts 14. In the
embodiment shown, two rails are provided, an upper rail 11 and lower rail 13.
The rails
12 are used to support a barrier material 16 across the length of the fence 10
thus
partitioning two areas physically. The posts 14 are secured to a base or into
the ground
utilizing known techniques.
Refernng to figures 2 through 6, a fence frame is constructed utilizing the
embodiment of the invention shown with an elongate rail 12 and an elongate
post 14
joined by a coupling 18. In the embodiment shown, the coupling 18 engages the
post 14
utilizing a pair of arms ZO extending from the base 22 of the coupling 18. The
arms 20
may be slidably adjusted along the length of the post 14 while remaining
engaged to the
post 14. The arms 20 in the embodiment shown engage an elongate post interface
profile
1 S found on opposing surfaces of the post 14. The post interface profiles in
the embodiment
shown are dove tail channels 24 running the length of the post 14 basically
parallel to the
post axis where each arm 20 includes a small ridge or hook 28 secured to the
proximate lip
30 of each opposing channel 24. While the embodiment shown includes a post 14
with
opposing elongate channels to allow the coupling arms 20 to engage the post
14, other
elongate interface profiles will allow the arms 20 to engage the outside
surface of the post
14. These would include but are not limited to other suitable opposing
channels, rims
running along opposing surfaces of the post, protrusions on opposing surfaces
of the post
or any other elongate feature on the post running parallel to the post axis
that will allow
the arms 20 to engage the post 14. It is also import that the arms be able to
slidably adjust
along the length of the post.
Referring to figure 3, the rail 12 is joined to the coupling 18 via the side
of the base
22 of the coupling 18 opposing the side with the extending arms 20. The base
22
engages the rail 12 through an elongate rail interface profile as shown. The
rail interface
profile in the embodiment shown is an elongate dove tailed channel 24 where
the base 22
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of the coupling 18 is a dove tail in cross section sized to positively engage
the channel 24.
Note that the rail 12 is allowed to slidably adjust through the interface
between the rail 12
and coupling 18. Thus the coupling 18 between the rail 12 and post 14 allows
the rail and
post to enjoy mutual adjustability relative to each other.
Note that other suitable rail and coupling profiles may be utilized for
engaging the
base 22 of the coupling 18 to the rail 12. For example, the rail profile could
be another
suitable channel or a protrusion running parallel to the rail axis where the
base of the
coupling would be shaped to slidably and positively engage the profile used on
the rail.
Figure 4 shows a support 15 that can be utilized as both a rail 12 and a post
14,
where, refernng to figure 3, the base 22 of the coupling 18 engages the same
elongate
interface profile on the rail 12 as each arm 20 of the coupling 18 engages on
the post 14.
That is, lengths of the support 15 can be divided up where some can be
utilized as posts 14
and some utilized as rails 12. Rails 12 and posts 14 are, in the result, the
same cross-
section and, therefore, interchangeable.
Once the rail 12 is in place relative to the post 14 again noting that both
the rail 12
and post 14 can be adjusted relative to each other once joined together with
the coupling
18, the coupling 18 can then be secured to the post 14 with any suitable
fastener including
but not limited to set screws 32 as shown in the embodiment in figure 4 or a
suitable
adhesive.
The rail 12, post 14 and coupling 18 are made from any suitable material
including
but not limited to aluminum or high density plastic, however, aluminum is
preferred.
Additionally, in the embodiment shown in figures 2 through 4, the rail 12
includes
a barrier surface 33 with an opening 36 into a substantially hollow interior
34 within the
rail 12 to allow for a barrier material 16 to fit through the opening 36 such
that it is
supported by the rail 12. The barner material 16 may be further supported by
two interior
elongate walls 38 extending into the interior 34 from the opening 36. An
elongate ridge 40
may be run along the inside wall of the rail 12 opposite the opening 36 to
support the
barrier material 16. The ridge 40 is important where the barner material 16 is
wood as it
raises the burner material 16 off the base of the interior of the lower rail
13 thus avoiding
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contact between the barrier material and any moisture that may accumulate in
the lower
rail 13.
The barner material 16 may be selected from suitable material for the
objective
sought in regards to the fence to be built. That is, different material may
depend on
whether sound reduction, privacy, aesthetic, security or a combination of
these or a variety
of other reasons provide the objective of building the fence. However, some
such suitable
material would include but is not limited to wood planks, sheets or boards,
composite
plastic and corrugated metal.
In practice, the embodiment described above and shown in figures 2 through 6
is
put into practice where a series of lengths of rail 12 and post 14 are cut to
desired lengths.
This can be done from one or several lengths of support material 15 where
there is a desire
for the post 14 and rails 12 to be interchangeable. The posts 14 are then set
into the
ground or base using techniques know in the art. The rails 12 are then fitted
with
couplings 18 at intervals approximately equal to the spacing of the posts 14.
As the
couplings 18 are slidably adjustable along the length of the rails 12,
approximate equal
spacing to the posts 14 is all that is required as the couplings 18 can be
later more precisely
adjusted. The bottom rail 13 is coupled to one or a series of posts 14 using
the couplings
18 and slidably adjusted to a desired position along the posts 14. The
couplings 18 are
secured to the posts 14 using a set screw 32 to fix the arms 20 to the posts
14. Barner
material 16 is then placed into the opening 36 in the bottom rail 13. The top
rail 11 is
fitted over the barrier material 16 through the opening 36 in this rail 11
and, at the same
time, engaged to the posts 14 utilizing the coupling 18. Once the top rail 11
is in its
desired location along the post 14 and supporting the barrier material 16, the
couplings 18
engaged to the top rail 11 are secured to the posts 14 with set screws 32 to
prevent further
movement of the arms 20 along the post 14. If desired, the rails 12 may also
be slidably
adjusted through the coupling 18 once joined to the post.
Over years of use of a fence vertical movement of the posts can take place
causing
misalignment of the rails. When this happens, the present invention allows the
fasteners
securing the arms 20 to the posts 14 to be removed thereby allowing the
coupling 18 to
slidably adjust along the posts 14 while remaining engaged to the posts 14
realigning the
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rails 12. Once the arms 20 are in re-positioned the fasteners can be reapplied
securing the
rails 12 to the posts 14.
While the embodiment discussed above contemplates the arms 20 of the coupling
18 engaging the post 14 while the base of the coupling 18 engages the rails
12, the
opposite configuration may also be used. That is, referring to figures 4
through 6, where
figure 4 shows a support 15 that may be utilized as a post 14 or a rail 12,
the arms 20 of
the coupling 18 may be used to engage each opposing elongate rail interface
profile while
the base of the coupling 18 would positively engage one elongate post
interface profile. In
figure 4 each opposing elongate rail interface profile and the elongate post
interface profile
are both dove tailed channels 24 as shown in this embodiment, however, as
mentioned in
the embodiment discussed above, both the post and rail interface profiles may
be other
suitable elongate channel designs, protrusions, rims or other elongate
features that would
allow the coupling 18 to slidably engage the rail 12 and post 14. In any
event, once
positioned the coupling 18 is secured to the post 14 using a fastener that
would prohibit
vertical movement of the coupling 18 along the post 14.
Where the coupling base 22 is engaged to the interface profile found on the
posts
14 freeing the arms 20 to engage a rail member, alternative methods of
utilizing the arms
to engage the rail 12 can be practised. While, as discussed above, the
coupling arms 20
may be used to engage opposing interface profiles on the rail 12, the arms 20
may also be
20 used to engage the rail 12 in other ways.
One such method considers a coupling that terminates the fence frame.
Referring
to figures 7 and 8, the base 46 of the terminal coupling 42 is shaped to
engage the elongate
interface profile found on the post 14. In the embodiment shown, the interface
profile is a
dove tail channel 24 and, as such, the base of the terminal coupling 42 is a
protrusion to
positively engage the dove tail channel 24. However, as discussed above, the
interface
profile may be a different channel shape or a protrusion where the terminal
coupling 42
would positively engage the profile. The coupling 42 may be adjusted parallel
to the post
axis through the dove tail charmel. Once positioned the coupling 42 is secured
to the post
14. Preferably, this is done with a fastener that may be but is not limited to
a set screw 47,
adhesive or other suitable material, to prevent the coupling 42 from moving
downwards
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through the channel 24 along the post 14. The set screw 47 or other suitable
fastener may
be placed just below the coupling 42 thereby restricting its movement down the
post.
Two terminal arms 48 extend from the base 46 of the coupling 42. The terminal
arms 48 are separated by a width that would allow the arms 48 to fit snugly
into an
opening at the ends of the rail 12. The rail 12 is secured to the arms 48 of
the coupling 42
with a fastener that can be a set screw 49 or suitable adhesive. Where the
fastener is a
screw it is bored through the external portion of the rail 12 to secure the
arms 48 of the
coupling 42.
The coupling of an additional embodiment is shown in figure 9 and 10. Here, a
wood rail coupling 50 is introduced that includes two flat arms 52 extended
from the base
54. The coupling 50 joins a post 14 with a wood rail 56 such as a two by four
or other rail
suitable for framing a fence. The base 54 of the coupling 50 is a suitable
shape to
positively engage the elongate interface profile of the post 14. In the
embodiment shown,
the elongate interface profile is a dove tail channel 24 where the base of the
wood rail
coupling is an appropriate dove tail protrusion for positively engaging the
channel,
however, as with the other embodiments discussed above, the elongate interface
profile
may be but is not limited to other channel designs or protrusions where the
base 54 would
be shaped such that it could engage the post 14.
Once the coupling 50 is in position along the post 14, it is secured to the
post 14.
This can be done with any suitable fastener including a suitable adhesive
material or a tap
screw 58 secured beneath the coupling 50 on the post 14 to prevent the
coupling 50 from
sliding down the post 14 due to gravity. The end of a wood rail 56 is then
slid between the
arms 52 of the coupling 50 and secured to the arms 52 when in position thus
providing a
fence frame or a series of more or less horizontal fence panels. The wood rail
can be
secured between the arms 52 of the coupling 50 with any suitable fasteners
such as an
appropriate adhesive material or, as is the case in the embodiment shown, set
screws 60.
Numerous modifications, variations and adaptations may be made to the
particular
embodiments of the invention described above without departing from the scope
of the
invention, which is defined in the claims.
