FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a picket fence protector 1 or fence protector 1. More specifically, the picket fence board protector provides a sleeve-like structure that prevents scratches or damages to the bottom portion of the fence board.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Picket fence is a type of fence used for enclosing an area for decorative purposes or privacy. The picket fence is commonly made of vertical wooden pickets that are side by side, spaced or non-spaced. Picket fences are commonly used in outdoor neighborhoods as non-spaced privacy fences. Since the picket fences are installed outdoors, they can be damaged from multiple sources. Especially, the bottom portions of a vertical picket fence board can easily be damaged from weed-eating machines, rot, and other causes.
An objective of the present invention is to provide a sleeve-like fence board protector that can securely fit onto the bottom of a picket fence board. The fence protector 1 prevents damage from yard equipment such as weed-eaters or other causes. Also, the fence protector 1 may prevent insects from getting into the picket fence board. The size of the present invention can vary depending on the size requirements of the picket fence boards. Additional features and benefits are further discussed in the sections below.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a fence protector comprising a box, a plurality of slats, and a plurality of drainage holes. The box of the fence protector comprises a front face, a back face, a left-side face, a right-side face, a bottom face, an interior side, an exterior side, and a top opening, creating a rectangular box shape with one open face. The top opening is positioned opposite the bottom face and configured to accept a picket board. The plurality of slats is connected to the interior side of the box and configured to grip the picket board, keeping the fence protector from sliding off the picket board. The plurality of drainage holes is positioned through the bottom face of the box and configured to allow water to drain from the fence protector.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a top front isometric view of the fence protector of the present invention, in accordance with at least one embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a bottom rear isometric view of the fence protector of the present invention, in accordance with at least one embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the fence protector of the present invention, in accordance with at least one embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a rear elevation view of the fence protector of the present invention, in accordance with at least one embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a right-side elevation view of the fence protector of the present invention, in accordance with at least one embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a left-side elevation view of the fence protector of the present invention, in accordance with at least one embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the fence protector of the present invention, in accordance with at least one embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the fence protector of the present invention, in accordance with at least one embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the fence protector of FIG. 3, in accordance with at least one embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the fence protector of FIG. 5, in accordance with at least one embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a top front perspective view of the assembly of a fence board and the fence protector of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a top front perspective view of multiple assemblies of fence boards and the fence protectors of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the fence protector in accordance with at least one embodiment.
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the fence protector in accordance with at least one embodiment.
DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION
All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
As can be seen in FIGS. 1-2, the present invention provides a sleeve-like picket fence board protector that can securely fit onto the bottom of the picket fence. The picket fences are installed outdoors for enclosing an area for privacy or decorative purposes and are exposed to damages from yard equipment and other causes. Utilizing the present invention, the user can prevent the damages and other wear and tear. Additionally, the present invention may prevent insects from getting into the picket fence.
The fence protector 1 of the present invention comprises a box 2 having a front face 21, a back face 22, a left-side face 23, a right-side face 24, a bottom face 25, and a top opening 28. The front face 21 is positioned opposite the back face 22, the right-side face 24 is positioned opposite the left-side face 23, and the bottom face 25 is positioned opposite the top opening 28. The box 2 also comprises an interior side 26 and an exterior side 27.
In addition to the shape and structure of the box 2, the fence protector 1 of the present invention further comprises a plurality of slats 3 and a plurality of drainage holes 4. The plurality of slats 3 is intended to keep the present invention from sliding off a picket board 5 when attached to the picket board 5. As seen in FIGS. 7, 9, and 10, the plurality of slats 3 is positioned on the interior side 26 of the box 2. The plurality of slats 3 is preferably positioned on the front face 21 and the rear face of the box 2, though the plurality of slats 3 may also or alternatively be positioned on the left-side face 23 and the right-side face 24. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of slats 3 comprises a first set of slats 34 and a second set of slats 35 with the first set of slats 34 positioned on the front face 21 of the box 2 and the second set of slats 35 positioned on the back face 22 of the box 2. Preferably, the position of the second set of slats 35 on the back face 22 mirrors the position of the first set of slats 34 on the front face 21, though in alternative embodiments, the first set of slats 34 and the second set of slats 35 may be offset from one another vertically and/or horizontally. Each of the first set of slats 34 and the second set of slats 35 may comprise any number of slats, with the preferred number of slats being two for each set of slats.
Each slat of the plurality of slats 3 comprises an attachment side 31 and a gripping side 32. The attachment side 31 connects to the interior side 26 of the base. Referring to FIG. 10, a slat angle 33 between each of the plurality of slats 3 and the base may range from 15 to 75 degrees, though the preferred angle is 45 degrees. The gripping side 32 is opposite the attachment side 31 and is configured to grip the picket board 5 in order to prevent the fence protector 1 from slipping off the picket board 5. In one embodiment, the gripping side 32 has a sharp edge configured to cut into the picket board 5 and hold the fence protector 1 in place. Alternative embodiments may have a rounded gripping side 32 to prevent damage to the picket board 5. In other alternative embodiments, the plurality of slats 3 may have a flat gripping side 32. In some embodiments, the plurality of slats 3 may be made of a non-slip material, or the gripping side 32 may be coated in a non-slip coating to further prevent the fence protector 1 from sliding off the picket board 5.
The plurality of drainage holes 4 is intended to allow water or other materials that enter the fence protector 1 to escape the fence protector 1. As can be seen in FIGS. 2, 7, and 8, the plurality of drainage holes 4 traverses the bottom face 25 of the box 2, creating an opening from the interior of the box 2 to the exterior of the box 2. The plurality of drainage holes 4 are most effective on the bottom face 25 of the box 2 but may also be employed on the other faces of the box 2. In the preferred embodiment, the plurality of drainage holes 4 comprises two drainage holes equally spaced along the bottom face 25 of the box 2, though any number of drainage holes may be used. In one alternative embodiment, the plurality of drainage holes 4 may be small holes, collectively making up a mesh-like structure.
Dimensions of the fence protector 1 may vary depending on the size requirements of the picket board 5. As can be seen in FIGS. 1-4, the fence picket provides a rectangular structure having curved edges between the bottom face 25 and the left-side face 23 and right-side face 24 of the box 2. In alternative embodiments, the picket board 5 may provide a rectangular structure having angled edges between the bottom face 25 and the left-side face 23 as well as between the bottom face 25 and the right-side face 24. The fence protector 1 of the present invention may come in alternative shapes depending on the shape of the picket board 5 of the relevant fence. For example, a semi-circular shape may be used to match a picket board 5 with a semi-circular bottom or a triangular shape may be used to match a picket board 5 with a triangular bottom. However, even in cases where the bottom of the picket board 5 is not rectangular, the rectangular-shaped fence protector 1 may still be used. In the preferred embodiment, the fence protector 1 is made of a plastic material. However, metal, wood, ceramic, or other materials may be used for the fence protector 1 of the present invention.
As can be seen in FIGS. 11-12, the assemblies of the picket fence and the fence protectors 1 can be installed side by side. In some embodiments, the fence protectors 1 may be connected to one another by a connecting mechanism. Further, the fence protectors 1 may be joined to one another as a single panel of multiple fence protectors 1 to be fitted onto multiple picket boards 5 simultaneously. Additionally, the fence protector 1 can be of various colors based on the user's requirement.
As can be seen in FIGS. 13-14, in one embodiment of the present invention, the fence protector 1 may further comprise at least one spacer 40. The at least one spacer 40 is configured to separate a picket board 5 from the bottom face 25 of the box 2 when the picket board 5 is engaged with the box 2. By separating the picket board 5 and the bottom face 25 of the box 2, water can more easily drain out the plurality of drainage holes 4. The at least one spacer 40 is preferably positioned on the interior side 26 of the bottom face 25, though in alternative embodiments, the at least one spacer could be on any other face of the box 2.
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Patent Application
20230184002
