Extruded fence post and modular fence assembly

Abstract

A fence assembly includes a plurality of spaced, elongated hollow post members. Each of the plurality of elongated post members has an outer wall. The outer wall has a generally H-shaped cross-section. The elongated post member includes a first side and a second side. The first and second sides are oriented opposite each other. One or more inner rib is attached to an inner surface of the outer wall and extends between the first side and the second side to define a middle chamber of the elongated hollow post member. One or more reinforcing member may be positioned in the middle chamber of one or more of the plurality of elongated hollow members to provide support. A plurality of fence panels is fastened between adjacent pairs of the plurality of spaced, elongated post members.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A post for a fence assembly comprising: 
 an elongated member having an outer wall, said outer wall having a generally H-shaped cross-sectional shape including a first side and a second side, said first and second sides being oriented opposite each other; and    one or more inner rib attached to an inner surface of said outer wall and extending between said first side and said second side to define a middle chamber of said elongated member.    
     
     
         2 . The post of  claim 2  wherein said first side includes a first channel formed therealong and said second side includes a second channel formed therealong, both first and second channels being defined by said H-shaped cross-sectional shape.  
     
     
         3 . The post of  claim 1  wherein said one or more inner ribs is a pair of spaced ribs.  
     
     
         4 . The post of  claim 2  wherein said first channel includes a first upper sidewall, a first inner sidewall and a first lower sidewall.  
     
     
         5 . The post of  claim 2  wherein said second channel includes a second upper sidewall, a second inner sidewall and a second lower sidewall.  
     
     
         6 . The post of  claim 3  wherein a first of said pair of inner ribs extends between a first point and a second point on said inner surface of said outer wall.  
     
     
         7 . The post of  claim 6  wherein said first point is adjacent an intersection of said first upper sidewall and said first inner sidewall and said second point is adjacent an intersection of said second upper sidewall and said second inner sidewall.  
     
     
         8 . The post of  claim 6  wherein a second of said pair of inner ribs extends between a third point and a fourth point on said inner surface of said outer wall.  
     
     
         9 . The post of  claim 8  wherein said third point is adjacent an intersection of said first inner sidewall and said first lower sidewall and said fourth point is adjacent an intersection of said second inner sidewall and said second lower sidewall.  
     
     
         10 . The post of  claim 1  wherein said middle chamber has a rectangular cross-section.  
     
     
         11 . The post of  claim 1  wherein said middle chamber is defined by said first and second ribs and said first and second inner walls.  
     
     
         12 . The post of  claim 1  wherein said outer wall includes a generally planar third side and a fourth side of said elongated member.  
     
     
         13 . A post assembly for a fence comprising: 
 an elongated post member having an outer wall, said outer wall having a generally H-shaped cross-sectional shape defining a first channel along a first side of said elongated member and a second channel along a second side of said elongated member, said first and second sides being oriented opposite each other;    one or more inner rib attached to an inner surface of said outer wall and extending between said first side and said second side to define a middle chamber of said elongated member; and    a reinforcing member shaped and sized to be received within said middle chamber for reinforcing said post member.    
     
     
         14 . The post assembly of  claim 13  wherein said reinforcing member is a rectangle in cross section.  
     
     
         15 . The post assembly of  claim 14  further comprising a rigid foot plate connected to a lower end of said reinforcing member.  
     
     
         16 . The post assembly of  claim 15  wherein said foot plate is adapted to be fastened to a footing.  
     
     
         17 . A fence assembly comprising: 
 a plurality of spaced, elongated post members, each of said plurality of elongated post members having an outer wall having a generally H-shaped cross-sectional shape, each of said plurality of elongated post members including a first side and a second side, said first and second sides being oriented opposite each other and one or more inner rib attached to an inner surface of said outer wall and extending between said first side and said second side to define a middle chamber of said elongated post member;    one or more reinforcing member positioned in said middle chamber of one or more of said plurality of elongated hollow members to provide support thereto; and    a plurality of fence panels fastened between adjacent pairs of said plurality of spaced, elongated post members.    
     
     
         18 . The fence assembly of  claim 17  wherein said first side includes a first channel formed therealong and said second side includes a second channel formed therealong, both first and second channels being defined by said H-shaped cross-sectional shape.  
     
     
         19 . The fence assembly of  claim 17  wherein said one or more inner ribs is a pair of spaced ribs.  
     
     
         20 . The fence assembly of  claim 18  wherein said panels include one or more fence panel components.  
     
     
         21 . The fence assembly of  claim 18  further comprising filler members sized and shaped to be received by one or both of said first channel and said second channel.  
     
     
         22 . The fence assembly of  claim 18  further comprising one or more channel member attachable to said elongated post members and sized and shaped for receiving an edge of one of said plurality of fence panels.