Fence with removable slats

Abstract

A fence system constructed of vertical posts with upper and lower rails connecting the posts. The bottom rail is a cup or a trough in which wooden fence slats sit. The top rail consists of a rigid back that is permanently affixed to both posts and a removable or hinged front that opens to permit slats to be inserted or removed.

1 . A pair of laterally spaced substantially vertical metal posts; upper and lower horizontal support members affixed to said vertical metal posts and spaced vertically apart; fence slats extending from said lower horizontal support member to said upper horizontal support member; said upper horizontal support member comprising a fixed member between said two vertical metal posts and a removable front rail that is hinged to one of said vertical posts and latches to said other vertical metal fence post, said slats held between said fixed member and said removable front rail; and the lower support member having a three sided base in which the bottom of each of said slats resides.  
   
   
       2 . A pair of laterally spaced substantially vertical metal posts; upper and lower horizontal support members affixed to said vertical metal posts and spaced vertically apart; fence slats extending from said lower horizontal support member to said upper horizontal support member; said upper horizontal support member comprising a fixed member between said two vertical metal posts and a removable front rail that attaches to each of said vertical posts, said slats held between said fixed member and said removable front rail; and the lower support member having a three sided base in which the bottom of each of said slats resides.  
   
   
       3 . A fence construction as in claims  1  and  2 , but with metallic protrusions facing the slats on the back portion of the upper horizontal support member.  
   
   
       4 . A fence construction as in claims  1  and  2 , but with metallic protrusions facing the slats on the front portion of the upper horizontal support member.