Fencing member and method of use

Abstract

A fencing member is disclosed for use in a typical picket fence structure in which rail members span between posts for supporting picket members thereon. When used as a rail member, the fencing member permits concealment of the fastening means used to secure the picket members to the rail members. This is accomplished by forming the rail members into portions selectively separable from one another in which each defines a portion of a perimeter wall of an assembled hollow member.

1 . A fencing member for use in a fence structure having posts, rail members spanning the posts and picket members spaced along the rail members, the fencing member comprising either a rail member or a picket member of the fence structure and including: 
 a mounting portion for securement to the fence structure by suitable fastening means; and    a cover portion for securement to the mounting portion to conceal the fastening means;    the cover portion and the mounting portion being selectively separable from one another;    each of the cover portion and the mounting portion defining a portion of a perimeter wall of an assembled hollow member.    
   
   
       2 . The fencing member according to  claim 1  wherein each of the cover portion and the mounting portion extends substantially a full length of the fencing member.  
   
   
       3 . The fencing member according to  claim 1  wherein the hollow member formed by the mounting portion and the cover portion has a rectangular cross section, the mounting portion and the cover portion joining each other at seams extending along opposing sides of the rectangular cross section.  
   
   
       4 . The fencing member according to  claim 3  wherein the rectangular cross section includes a pair of short sides and a pair of wide sides which are wider than the short sides, the seams extending along the short sides respectively.  
   
   
       5 . The fencing member according to  claim 3  wherein each of the cover portion and the mounting portion comprises one side and a portion of two adjacent sides forming the rectangular cross section of the hollow member.  
   
   
       6 . The fencing member according to  claim 1  wherein the mounting portion and the cover portion are identical in configuration to one another.  
   
   
       7 . The fencing member according to  claim 1  wherein the mounting portion and the cover portion are securable to one another by snap fitting connectors.  
   
   
       8 . The fencing member according to  claim 7  wherein the snap fitting connectors are formed at the perimeter wall of the hollow member.  
   
   
       9 . The fencing member according to  claim 1  wherein the mounting portion and the cover portion are securable to one another by tongue and groove connectors.  
   
   
       10 . The fencing member according to  claim 9  wherein the tongue and groove connectors include a textured gripping surface formed thereon.  
   
   
       11 . The fencing member according to  claim 9  wherein the tongue and groove connectors are formed at the perimeter wall of the hollow member.  
   
   
       12 . The fencing member according to  claim 1  wherein the cover portion and the mounting portion are extruded of plastic material.  
   
   
       13 . The fencing member according to  claim 1  comprising a rail member of the fence structure.  
   
   
       14 . The fencing member according to  claim 1  comprising a picket member of the fence structure.  
   
   
       15 . A method of forming a fencing member in a fence structure having posts, rail members spanning the posts and picket members spaced along the rail members, the fencing member comprising either a rail member or a picket member of the fence structure, the method comprising: 
 extruding a mounting portion and a cover portion of the fencing member which are selectively securable to one another, each defining a portion of a perimeter wall of a hollow member;    securing the mounting portion to the fence structure by suitable fastening means; and    securing the cover portion to the mounting portion to conceal the fastening means.    
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 15  wherein the hollow member defined by the mounting portion and the cover portion has a rectangular cross section, the mounting portion and the cover portion joining each other at seams extending along opposing sides of the rectangular cross section.  
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 16  wherein the rectangular cross section includes a pair of short sides and a pair of wide sides which are wider than the short sides, the method including locating the seams to extend along the short sides respectively.  
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 15  including forming the mounting portion and the cover portion identical in configuration to one another.  
   
   
       19 . A method of forming a fence structure of extruded material, the method including: 
 forming a rail member by extruding a mounting portion and a cover portion of the rail member which are selectively securable to one another, each defining a portion of a perimeter wall of a hollow member;    extruding a plurality of picket members;    securing the picket members at spaced positions along the mounting portion of the rail member by suitable fastening means; and    securing the cover portion to the mounting portion to conceal the fastening means.    
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 19  including forming a pair of rail members each including a respective mounting portion and a respective cover portion; securing the picket members at spaced positions on the mounting portions by suitable fastening means to span between the mounting portions of the rail members; and securing the cover portions on the mounting portions respectively to conceal the fastening means.