Modular fence system

Abstract

A modular fence system ( 10 ) is provided. The modular fence system 10 generally includes a plurality of spaced post assemblies ( 100 ) for securement to a support surface, and at least one cross member ( 200 ) coupled to respective support portions of at least a pair of such post assemblies ( 100 ) to extend transversely therebetween. Each post assembly ( 100 ) includes first and second molded post members ( 110, 120 ) joined one to the other in opposed manner to define therebetween at least one transverse eyelet ( 105 a , 105 b , 105 c ). Each of the first and second post members ( 110, 120 ) is formed with a base section ( 114, 124 ) and a support section ( 112, 122 ) extending longitudinally therefrom. The support section ( 112 ) of the first post member ( 110 ) includes at least one slotted recess ( 115 a , 115 b , 115 c ) for defining against the second post member support section ( 122 ) at least a portion of one transverse eyelet ( 105 a , 105 b , 105 c ). At least one of the first and second post members ( 110, 120 ) includes a protuberant portion ( 111 a , 111 b ) for engaging a cavity ( 121 a , 121 b ) formed in the other of the first and second post members ( 110, 120 ). The cross member ( 200 ) engages respective ones of the transverse eyelets ( 105 a , 105 b , 105 c ) of the pair of post assemblies ( 100 ).

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A fence system comprising: 
 (a) a plurality of spaced post assemblies for securement to a support surface, each said post assembly including: 
 first and second molded post members joined one to the other in opposed manner to define therebetween at least one transverse eyelet, each of said first and second post members having a base section and a support section extending longitudinally therefrom, said support section of said first post member including at least one slotted recess for defining against said second post member support section at least a portion of one said transverse eyelet;  
 at least one of said first and second post members including a protuberant portion for engaging a cavity formed in the other of said first and second post members; and,  
   (b) at least one cross member coupled to said support portions of a pair of said post assemblies to extend transversely therebetween, said cross member engaging respective ones of said transverse eyelets of said pair of post assemblies.    
     
     
         2 . The fence system as recited in  claim 1  wherein each of said first and second post members has formed therein at least one slotted recess, each said slotted recess of said first post member being in open communication with one said slotted recess of said second post member to define one said transverse eyelet therewith.  
     
     
         3 . The fence system as recited in  claim 2  wherein said first and second post members each include a plurality of said slotted recesses to define a plurality of said transverse eyelets.  
     
     
         4 . The fence system as recited in  claim 1  comprising a plurality of said cross members extending substantially in parallel one with the other, each said cross member passing substantially through corresponding ones of said transverse eyelets respectively of at least a pair of said post assemblies.  
     
     
         5 . The fence system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said cross member includes a reinforcing core embedded therein.  
     
     
         6 . The fence system as recited in  claim 5  wherein said reinforcing core of said cross member is formed with a sectional contour selected from the group consisting of: a C-channel, and I-beam.  
     
     
         7 . The fence system as recited in  claim 1  wherein each of said first and second post members is integrally molded from a thermoplastic composition.  
     
     
         8 . The fence system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said thermoplastic composition includes a recycled plastic resin material, said recycled plastic resin material being impact modified and including a pigmentation component.  
     
     
         9 . The fence system as recited in  claim 1  wherein each said cross member is integrally molded from a thermoplastic composition.  
     
     
         10 . The fence system as recited in  claim 1  wherein: 
 said base sections of said joined first and second post members define respective longitudinal base surfaces disposed in substantially flush contact one with the other; and,  
 said support sections of said first and second post members each include a plurality of coupling bodies separated one from the other by one said slotted recess, said coupling body of said joined first and second post members being disposed in substantially flush contact respectively one with the other.  
 
     
     
         11 . The fence system as recited in  claim 10  wherein each said coupling body has formed therein a hollowing cavity.  
     
     
         12 . The fence system as recited in  claim 11  wherein said base section of each said first and second post member has formed therein a hollowing cavity.  
     
     
         13 . A fence system comprising: 
 (a) a plurality of spaced post assemblies for securement to a support surface, each said post assembly including: 
 first and second molded post members detachably coupled one to the other in opposed manner to define therebetween at least one transverse eyelet, each of said first and second post members being integrally formed in structure, said first and second post members each having a base section and a support section extending longitudinally therefrom, said support sections of said detachably coupled first and second post members including slotted recesses respectively formed therein for cooperatively defining said transverse eyelet;  
 at least one of said first and second post members including a protuberant portion for engaging a cavity formed in the other of said first and second post members;  
   (b) at least one cross member coupled to said support portions of a pair of said post assemblies to extend transversely therebetween, said cross member engaging respective ones of said transverse eyelets of said pair of post assemblies.    
     
     
         14 . The fence system as recited in  claim 13  wherein said first and second post members each include a plurality of said slotted recesses to define a plurality of said transverse eyelets, said first post member includes a plurality of said protuberant portions, and said second post member includes a plurality of said cavities.  
     
     
         15 . The fence system as recited in  claim 13  wherein said base sections of said detachably coupled first and second post members define respective longitudinal base surfaces disposed in substantially flush contact one with the other.  
     
     
         16 . The fence system as recited in  claim 14  wherein said support sections of said first and second post members each include a plurality of coupling bodies separated one from the other by one said slotted recess, said coupling bodies of said detachably coupled first and second post members being disposed in substantially flush contact respectively one with the other, each said coupling body having formed therein a hollowing cavity.  
     
     
         17 . The fence system as recited in  claim 13  wherein each of said first and second post members is integrally molded from a thermoplastic composition including a recycled plastic resin material, said recycled plastic resin material being impact modified and including a pigmentation component.  
     
     
         18 . A fence system having a plurality of spaced post assemblies for securement to a support surface, each said post assembly comprising: 
 first and second opposed post members detachably coupled one to the other to define therebetween a plurality of transverse eyelets for the insert of a plurality of cross members respectively therein;    said first and second post members and said cross members each being integrally molded from a thermoplastic composition, and having a base section and a support section extending longitudinally therefrom, said support section of each said first post member and said second post member including a plurality of slotted recesses, said slotted recesses of said first post member being aligned in open communication with one of said slotted recess of said second post member to define one said transverse eyelet;    at least one of said first and second post members including a transversely protuberant portion for engaging a cavity formed in the other of said first and second post members, the engagement of said transversely protuberant portions and cavity guiding the detachable coupling of said first and second post members in substantially aligned manner.    
     
     
         19 . The fence system as recited in  claim 18  wherein said thermoplastic composition includes a recycled plastic resin material, said recycled plastic resin material being impact modified and including a pigmentation component.  
     
     
         20 . The fence system as recited in  claim 19  wherein said recycled plastic resin material includes an olefinic recycled material, said pigmentation component including an iron oxide constituent.  
     
     
         21 . The fence system as recited in  claim 18  wherein said support sections of said first and second post members each include a plurality of coupling bodies separated one from the other by one said slotted recess, said coupling bodies of said detachably coupled first and second post members being disposed in substantially flush contact respectively one with the other, each said coupling body having formed therein a hollowing cavity.  
     
     
         22 . The fence system as recited in  claim 21  wherein said first post member includes a plurality of said transversely protuberant portions, and said second post member includes a plurality of said cavities, mutually engaging ones of said transversely protuberant portions and cavities being formed respectively on opposed ones of said coupling bodies.