System and apparatus for reinforcing fence components

Abstract

Disclosed is a system and apparatus for reinforcing a fence structure for example, to resist the potentially detrimental forces caused by wind and other environmental factors. An elongate stiffening insert for reinforcing a fence structure is configured to appear in cross section to generally resemble a Z-shape. The stiffening insert fits inside a fence post to reinforce the fence structure. The stiffening insert generally extends below the ground to provide support.

1 . An elongate stiffening insert for reinforcing a fence structure comprising: 
 an elongate first portion having a first end and a second end;    an elongate second portion having a first end and a second end; and    an elongate third portion, the third portion generally longitudinally intersecting at the second end of the first portion and at the first end of the second portion.    
   
   
       2 . The stiffening insert of  claim 1 , wherein the third portion is generally vertical to the first and the second portions.  
   
   
       3 . The stiffening insert of  claim 1 , wherein the first end of the first portion and the second end of the second portion have beveled edges.  
   
   
       4 . The stiffening insert of  claim 1 , wherein the third portion has at least one opening.  
   
   
       5 . A reinforced fence post structure comprising: 
 an elongate shell having an upper end and lower end defining a cavity; and    a stiffening insert positioned within the cavity of the shell having 
 an elongate first portion having a first end and a second end,  
 an elongate second portion having a first end and a second end,  
 an elongate third portion, the third portion generally longitudinally intersecting  
 at the second end of the first portion and the first end of the second portion.  
   
   
   
       6 . The reinforced fence post structure of  claim 5 , wherein the shell and the stiffening insert have at least one opening, aligned sufficiently to receive horizontal fence components.  
   
   
       7 . The reinforced fence post structure of  claim 5 , wherein the stiffening insert extends partially inside the cavity of the shell.  
   
   
       8 . The reinforced fence post structure of  claim 5 , wherein the first and the second portions of the stiffening insert have beveled edges.  
   
   
       9 . A reinforced fence structure comprising: 
 a plurality of elongate shells, each shell having an upper end and lower end defining a cavity and a plurality of openings positioned generally longitudinally;    a plurality of stiffening inserts positioned within the plurality of shells, each insert having an elongate first portion comprising a first end and a second end; an elongate second portion comprising a first end and a second end; an elongate third portion, the third portion generally longitudinally intersecting at the second end of the first portion and at the first end of the second portion and having a plurality of openings capable of being aligned with the plurality of openings in the shell; and    a plurality of railings in association with the shell and the stiffening inserts through the plurality of openings.    
   
   
       10 . The reinforced fence structure of  claim 9 , wherein the first and the second portions of the stiffening insert have beveled edges.  
   
   
       11 . A method for reinforcing a fence structure includes the steps of: 
 providing an elongate shell having an upper end and lower end and a plurality of shell openings;    providing a stiffening insert having an elongate first portion comprising a first end and a second end; an elongate second portion comprising a first end and a second end; an elongate third portion, the third portion generally longitudinally intersecting at the second end of the first portion and at the first end of the second portion and having a plurality of insert openings capable of being aligned with the plurality of shell openings in the shell;    providing a plurality of rails;    positioning the stiffening insert inside the shell such that the plurality of shell openings align with corresponding insert openings; and    connecting the plurality of rails with corresponding openings in the shell and the insert to form a fence structure.    
   
   
       12 . A method for reinforcing a fence structure includes the steps of: 
 providing a stiffening insert having an elongate first portion comprising a first end and a second end; an elongate second portion comprising a first end and a second end; an elongate third portion, the third portion generally longitudinally intersecting at the second end of the first portion and at the first end of the second portion and having a plurality of insert openings; and    manufacturing an elongate shell having an upper end and lower end defining a cavity, the elongate shell enclosing the stiffening insert.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the shell and the stiffening insert have a plurality of openings aligned along a central axis to receive horizontal fence elements.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the shell is made of a plastic material and the stiffening insert is made of a metal.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the stiffening insert is made of a composite material.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the stiffening insert extends partially inside the shell.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 12  comprising mounting the shell on a mounting surface, the stiffening insert extending below the mounting surface.