Patent Application
20060255324
This invention relates in general to fences, and in particular to a metal privacy fence.
Privacy fences that enclose backyards of residential homes are very common. Fences of this nature provide privacy in a backyard as well as keeping small children and dogs within the backyard.
The most common type of privacy fence comprises a wooden fence made up of posts, upper and lower rails, and boards nailed to the rails. In some case, the posts may be metal or brick. Regardless of the posts, the boards of the fence are of wood and deteriorate with time. Fences of this nature sag, and the boards come loose. Eventually, a wooden fence must be replaced, and it is often unsightly for years before the replacement occurs.
Metal fences have been used for backyards, but primarily they have been chain-link fences. Though long-lasting, they do not provide privacy. In some cases, plastic or metal strips are threaded through such fences for privacy.
Metal panel fences are less common, and are usually custom fabricated for industrial use. Some may require welding of the rails to the posts. Some may require painting at frequent intervals to prevent rust.
In this invention, a privacy fence constructed of metal, preferably aluminum, is provided. The posts for the fence have upper and lower brackets. Each of the brackets has a post mounting plate secured to one side of the post and at least one rail mounting plate that extends forward from the post mounting plate. Upper and lower rails are connected between the posts. Each rail has an end that is secured to the rail mounting plate of one of the brackets.
Each rail has a pair of sidewalls extending vertically from a horizontal base section. The sidewalls are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the base section. Each of the rails has a skirt depending from each of the sidewalls. The skirts are parallel to each other and to the sidewalls, but spaced more closely to each other than the spacing between the sidewalls. The space between the skirts is open, resulting in an elongated slot extending along the length of the rail.
A panel locates between the rails. The panel has an upper edge that fits into the elongated slot of the upper rail and a lower edge that fits within the elongated slot of the lower rail. In the preferred embodiment, the panel comprises a plurality of separate side-by-side channel members. Each channel member has a flat central section and a pair of flat side sections that are parallel to but offset from the central section. The side sections are joined by transition sections, defining a hat channel configuration.
Preferably each bracket has two of the rail mounting plates. Each rail mounting plate has a hole that aligns with the hole in one of the sidewalls of the rails defining a mating aperture. One of the holes of each mating aperture is elongated to allow the rail to be mounted at angles other than 90 degrees relative to the post. Also, preferably, each bracket has a stiffening plate that extends from the post mounting plate and has a width substantially the same as the post mounting plate.
Referring to
As shown by the dotted lines, upper and lower bracket 17, 19 are secured to post 13 along one side. An upper rail 21 attaches to upper bracket 17, and a lower rail 23 attaches to lower bracket 19. Upper and lower rails 21, 23 thus connect post 13 to the next post. A panel is supported by the upper and lower rails 21, 23 between posts 13. In the preferred embodiment, the panel comprises the plurality of panel members 25, each having side edges in substantial abutment to provide privacy.
Upper and lower brackets 17, 19 are preferably identical, but one is inverted relative to the other. All discussions concerning upper bracket 17 are applicable to lower bracket 19 as well. Referring to
Referring to
In the preferred embodiment, as shown in
Each bracket 17, 19 is preferably formed from a single sheet metal plate that is bent into the configuration shown. The flat plate is bent along vertical fold lines to form a corner between post mounting plate 27 and each of the two rail mounting plates 31. A horizontal fold line is made in the flat plate to form a corner between post mounting plate 27 and stiffening plate 43. The side edges of stiffening plate 43 are closely spaced and may touch inside surfaces of rail mounting plates 31. Each bracket 17, 19 has an overall channel shape having four sides, these being the post mounting plate 27, the two rail mounting plates 31, and the stiffening plate 43. The downward facing side of upper bracket 17 is open, while the upward facing side of lower bracket 19 is open.
The vertical height of each bracket 17, 19 decreases in a forward direction in forward sections 35 and 45 to facilate entry into an end of one of the rails 21, 23. Preferably, the post mounting plate 27 has a greater vertical dimension, measured from lower edge 39 (
Rails 21, 23 are also preferably fabricated sheet metal members with identical construction, but are inverted relative to one another. Referring still to
One of the holes 41 or 51 is elongated and configured to allow angular adjustment of upper rail 21 relative to post 13. In this embodiment, hole 41 is elongated and is in the general shape of an L. As illustrated in
Referring again to
Referring to
The distance between skirts 55 of rails 21 or 23 is slightly greater than the dimension of each panel member 25 between central section 59 and side sections 61. The ends of panel members 25 fit closely within the elongated slots formed by skirts 55. When placed between skirts 55, the upper end of central section 59 will be in flat abutment with the interior side of one of the skirts 55 and side sections 61 will be in flat abutment with the interior side of the opposite skirt 55. A fastener 65 inserts through skirt 55 and into central section 59 to secure each panel member 25. If desired, fasteners could be inserted into side sections 61, as well, but that has not been found necessary.
Preferably, for privacy, the side edges of each panel member side section 61 are closely spaced or abutting the side edges of the adjacent panel member 25. In the example of
In the preferred embodiment, posts 13, caps 15, brackets 17, 19, rails 21, 23 and panel members 25 are formed of aluminum. Also, preferably, the components are powder coated at a factory with a paint that is long lasting and attractive.
To construct fence 11, the workers will secure posts 13 into the ground and anchor them with concrete in a conventional manner. Workers attach brackets 17, 19 at desired points on one side of post 13. The workers then slide rails 21, 23 over brackets 17, 19, position rails 21, 23 at the desired inclinations relative to posts 13, and secure them with fasteners 53. The workers then slide panel members 25 into the elongated slots between skirts 55 of rails 21, 23 and secure fasteners 55 into upper and lower ends of panel members 25.
The invention has significant advantages. The fence is easy to assemble, is durable and long lasting. The fence provides privacy and an attractive appearance.
The following invention has been shown in only one of its forms, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited but is susceptible to various changes without departing from the scope of the invention.
