Patent Application
20240393095
This invention relates to the field of fencing. such as residential and commercial fences. More particularly, this invention relates to a guide for setting the height of pickets in a fence.
Picket fences are popular for enclosing yards in the residential market, and in other markets. One method of constructing a picket fence involves setting substantially vertical posts in the ground at desired distances, putting up two or more generally horizontal cross-rails between each adjacent set of posts, and then affixing pickets in a substantially vertical orientation onto the rails.
Most people prefer the pickets to be disposed with the tops of the pickets at a uniform height. It is often difficult to set the pickets in this orientation just by judging them by sight, and it is very time consuming to measure the position of each picket to ensure that they are at the same height.
Thus, one method that has been used to speed the construction process is to affix the pickets to the rails, such as with nails, brads, adhesive, or screws, without much concern as to their relative height, one to another, and then come back later and either snap a chalk line and then cut them all off, or just cut them all off at once without and chalk line and hope for the best.
Unfortunately, these various methods either take too much time or produce unsatisfactory results.
What is needed, therefore, is a method and apparatus for setting picket heights on a fence that tend to reduce issues such as those introduced above, at least in part.
The above and other needs are met by a picket height guide system having a rail jig with a rail tine at a first end and a first guide tine at a second end, where the rail tine and the first guide tine are separated by a desired distance, and a picket jig having a picket tine at a first end and second guide tine at a second end, where the picket tine and the second guide tine are immediately adjacent one another.
In various embodiments according to this aspect of the disclosure, a guide rail that at a first end engages the first guide tine of the rail jig, and at a second end engages the second guide tine of the picket jig. In some embodiments, the rail tine of the rail jig engages a fence rail and the picket tine of the picket jig engages a picket that is fastened to a fence. In some embodiments, the desired distance substantially equals a desired height above the fence rail of a picket that is to be fastened to the fence. In some embodiments, attachment points are disposed in each of the guide tines on the rail jig and the guide tines on the picket jig, where the attachment points are adapted for attachment of the rail jig and the picket jig to a guide rail. In some embodiments, screw holes are disposed in each of the guide tines on the rail jig and the guide tines on the picket jig, where the screw holes are adapted for attachment of the rail jig and the picket jig to a guide rail. In some embodiments, the guide jig is marked with a first color, and the picket jig is marked with a second color, and the first color is different from the second color. In some embodiments, the guide jig and the picket jig are each formed of at least one of a metal and a thermoplastic resin.
Further advantages of the invention are apparent by reference to the detailed description when considered in conjunction with the figures, which are not to scale so as to more clearly show the details, wherein like reference numbers indicate like elements throughout the several views, and wherein:
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The rail jig 100 is placed with the rail tines 102a and 102b engaging a rail 306 and the picket jig 200 is placed with the picket tines 204a and 204b engaging previously placed pickets 304. This arrangement places the entirety of the length of the guide beam 302 at the desired height 106 above the top rail 306 of the fence 300. In this manner, each new picket 304, as it is placed, can be immediately set at the desired height 106.
In some embodiments, the guide tines 104a and 104b on the rail jig 100 are offset from the rail tines 102a and 102b on the rail jig 100, such that the guide rail 302 is offset by some amount from the existing rail 306 to which the pickets 304 are affixed. In this manner, a new picket 304, which is to be affixed to the fence at a desired height 106 above the rail 306, can be quickly set into place with the top of the new picket 304 abutting the bottom of the guide rail 302. In some embodiments, the offset between the guide tines 104a and 104b on the rail jig 100 are offset from the rail tines 102a and 102b on the rail jig 100 by at least the thickness of the tines 304.
In some embodiments, the rail jig 100 and the picket jig 200 are formed of a resilient material, such as metal or a relatively durable thermoplastic resin. In some embodiments the rail jig 100 and the picket jig 200 are each marked in some way, such that they are easily distinguishable one from another, so that they can be readily identified in a construction setting. In some embodiments, the markings are different colors for each of the rail jig 100 and the picket jig 200. In some embodiments, the markings are different indicia that are placed on each of the rail jig 100 and the picket jig 200. In some embodiments, the markings are different surface textures that are applied to each of the rail jig 100 and the picket jig 200.
As used herein, the phrase “at least one of A, B, and C” means all possible combinations of none or multiple instances of each of A, B, and C, but at least one A, or one B, or one C. For example, and without limitation: A×1, A×2+B×1, C×2, A×1+B×1+C×1, A×7+B×12+C×113. It does not mean A×0+B×0+C×0.
The foregoing description of embodiments for this invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments are chosen and described in an effort to provide illustrations of the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly. legally, and equitably entitled.
