Adjustable gate structure

Abstract

The present invention relates to flexible fence and gate systems, which are flexible to alterations, have common parts, are easy to assembly, durable, and have long service life. The frame can be made of pre-coated galvanized steel parts. The panel is held in a U-shaped slotted rectangular fence frame formed by a parallel pair of L-shaped retainer angles mounted back-to-back or face-to-face on the stringers to accommodate a wide choice of panel styles, materials and thicknesses without adding any new components. Another feature provides a panel insert which can be sandwiched between two panels to further suppress noise. Another feature relates to adjustable post angle adapters. Another feature relates to a gate width opening adjustment member using a sliding rail at the far end. A gate post threaded insert can be also used at the gate hinges to distribute the load of the gate across the gate hinge hardware.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A configurable fence system, comprising: 
 a pair of fence posts , connected by two parallel horizontal fence stringers forming a rectangular fence framework;    a pair of longitudinal cross section L-shaped retainer angles, with a parallel separation to be defined by the thickness of the panel to be inserted, mounted on each of the inner surface of the rectangular fence framework in an orientation of either face-to-face or back-to-back to form an enclosed slotted rectangular fence framework; and    at least one fence panel is inserted into the enclosed slotted rectangular fence framework to form a section of the fence.    
     
     
         2 . The configurable fence system of  claim 1 , wherein each component of the slotted rectangular fence framework is formed of sheet metal of predetermined length pre-coated on both sides.  
     
     
         3 . The configurable fence system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one fence panel includes a lattice fence panel.  
     
     
         4 . The configurable fence system of  claim 1 , wherein fence styles and panel material used can be changed or modified after assembly, but the slotted rectangular fence framework remains fixed.  
     
     
         5 . The configurable fence system of  claim 1 , wherein the enclosed slot width of the rectangular framework can be adjusted to allow insertion of different panel thicknesses without changing rectangular fence framework.  
     
     
         6 . The configurable fence system of  claim 1 , further comprising a post angle adapter, wherein the fence sections can be connected at a non-perpendicular angle by connecting to the post angle adapter.  
     
     
         7 . The configurable fence system of  claim 1 , wherein the fence panel comprises fence panels sandwiching a middle panel insert either partially or entirely under compression to suppress noise.  
     
     
         8 . The configurable fence system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one adjustable gate structure is used as an access opening.  
     
     
         9 . The configurable fence system of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable gate structure is attached to the fence section at the fence post using a plurality of gate hinges, a plurality of screws and a plurality of gate post threaded inserts.  
     
     
         10 . The configurable fence system of  claim 1 , wherein the rectangular fence framework further includes: 
 a metal flange welded to the fence framework;    a plurality of gate hinges welded onto the rectangular gate frame;    at least one gate panel is inserted onto the rectangular gate frame;    a plurality of gate post threaded inserts and hardware to help distribute suspended load stress are used to attach the gate frame to the post member; and    a gate width opening adjuster is attached to the far end of the gate that allows gate width adjustment.    
     
     
         11 . An adjustable gate structure, comprising: 
 a rectangular gate frame with a metal flange welded on;    a plurality of gate hinges welded onto the rectangular gate frame;    at least one gate panel is inserted onto the rectangular gate frame;    a plurality of gate post threaded inserts and hardware to help distribute suspended load stress are used to attach the gate frame to the post member; and    a gate width opening adjuster is attached to the far end of the gate that allows gate width adjustment without adding a lip or a shim to the gate.    
     
     
         12 . The adjustable gate structure of  claim 11 , wherein each component of the rectangular gate frame is formed of sheet metal of predetermined length precoated on both sides.  
     
     
         13 . The adjustable gate structure of  claim 11 , wherein a plurality of gate panels inserted can include a lattice gate panel.  
     
     
         14 . The adjustable gate structure of  claim 11 , wherein gate styles, gate panel material and thicknesses can be changed or modified but the gate framework parts remain substantially identical.  
     
     
         15 . A gate post threaded insert, comprising: 
 solid metal construction;    a head on one end with sufficient overlap surface area after insertion and sufficiently strong enough to be held in position by a tool;    a smooth cylindrical body; and    blind drilled on the tail end and internally threaded to mate with standard machine screws.    
     
     
         16 . The gate post threaded insert of  claim 15 , wherein the threaded end can be modified with a smaller diameter to allow insertion clearance to a hole opening.  
     
     
         17 . The gate post threaded insert of  claim 15 , wherein if the pair is swaged tightly, and a clamp compression is formed between the overlapped surfaces of the gate post threaded insert head to the surface it is resting on and the mating hardware on the tail end on which it is resting on.