Fence and method of assembling same

Abstract

A picket fence system is disclosed wherein pickets are supported by a system which includes a picket support and strengthening bar and rail system which not only strengthens the assembly to act substantially as an integral unit, but avoids having to support pickets on other supports such as a lower rail, for example. In its broadest aspect, the rail system may be eliminated and the picket support and strengthening bar can function as such, and as a rail system, from a structural as well as aesthetic point of view, depending upon its configuration. The invention is adaptable to fences on level ground or sloped terrains as well.

1 . A fence assembly which comprises: 
 a) at least one post member;    b) at least one picket member fixedly positioned in adjacent relation to said post member; and    c) an elongated support member extending between said post member and said picket member to support said picket member in predetermined fixed relation to said post member.    
   
   
       2 . The fence assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said elongated support member extends through at least a portion of said picket member to support said picket member without need for an external rail member.  
   
   
       3 . A fence assembly which comprises: 
 a) at least one post member;    b) at least one rail member associated with and adjacent to said post member and oriented at an angle relative to said post member;    c) at least one picket member oriented at an angle relative to said rail member; and    d) an elongated support member extending between said post member and said picket member to support said picket member in predetermined fixed relation to said post member and said rail member.    
   
   
       4 . A fence assembly which comprises: 
 a) at least one post member;    b) at least one rail member attached to said post member and oriented at an angle relative to said post member;    c) at least one picket member oriented at an angle relative to said rail member; and    d) an elongated support member extending between said post member and said picket member to support said picket member in predetermined fixed relation to said post member and said rail member.    
   
   
       5 . The fence assembly according to  claim 4 , wherein said post member is generally upright and said rail member is generally transverse relative to said post member, and said elongated support member extends at least partially into said picket member to support said picket member in said fixed position, said support member being of sufficient strength to support a plurality of such picket members while increasing the strength and rigidity of the fence assembly.  
   
   
       6 . The fence assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein said picket members are constructed of a relatively lightweight material, and said support member is constructed of a material of strength greater than the strength of said picket members, said support member extending through each said picket member.  
   
   
       7 . The fence assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein said relatively light weight material of said picket members is plastic, and said material of said support member is at least one of metal, plastic and wood.  
   
   
       8 . The fence assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein said post member defines at least one aperture for receiving and supporting said rail member, and said rail member defines at least one aperture for receiving and supporting said picket member, said picket member defining an aperture for reception of said elongated support bar such that said elongated support member supports said picket member in said fixed relation to said rail member and said post member.  
   
   
       9 . The fence assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein said support member has a generally rectangular cross-sectional configuration.  
   
   
       10 . The fence assembly according to  claim 9 , wherein said elongated support member has a channel-like cross-sectional configuration.  
   
   
       11 . The fence assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein said elongated support member is positioned within an aperture formed in a face of said picket member, said support bar being associated with said rail member.  
   
   
       12 . The fence assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein said support member is formed integral with said rail member.  
   
   
       13 . The fence assembly according to  claim 12 , wherein said support member has a generally T-shaped cross-sectional configuration and is supported within said rail member.  
   
   
       14 . The fence assembly according to  claim 12 , wherein said support member has a generally L-shaped cross-sectional configuration and is supported by said rail member in integral relationship therewith.  
   
   
       15 . The fence assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein said support member is uniformly molded with said rail-member so as to be monolithic therewith.  
   
   
       16 . The fence assembly according to  claim 12 , wherein said support member is monolithically molded with said rail member.  
   
   
       17 . The fence assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein said rail member is oriented generally perpendicular to said post member.  
   
   
       18 . The fence assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein said rail member is oriented at a generally acute angle to said post member.  
   
   
       19 . The fence assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein said elongated support member has a generally channel-like configuration on one side an on the opposite side said elongated support member has a channel-like member of width less than said first side, said last mentioned channel-like member being configured and dimensioned to receive a support member attached to each said picket member to support said picket members.  
   
   
       20 . The fence assembly according to  claim 19 , wherein said support member attached to each said picket member is a tab formed as part of said picket member.  
   
   
       21 . The fence assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein said elongated support member has a cross-sectional configuration having a first member and second and third members extending generally perpendicular from said first member, said second and third members extending in relatively opposite directions.  
   
   
       22 . The fence assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein said elongated support member comprises at least one member having at least two members extending generally perpendicular from one face, and at least a single member extending in a direction generally opposite said first mentioned member and generally perpendicular to said first mentioned member.  
   
   
       23 . The fence assembly according to  claim 7 , which comprises a plurality of such post members, a plurality of such rail members, and a plurality of such picket members respectively assembled to form said fence assembly.  
   
   
       24 . A fence assembly which comprises: 
 a) a plurality of generally upright post members;    b) a plurality of rail members attached to said post members and oriented at an angle relative to said post members;    c) a plurality of generally upright picket members oriented at an angle relative to said rail members; and    d) a plurality of elongated support members extending between said post members and said picket members to support said picket members in respective predetermined fixed relation to said post members and said rail members and to further strengthen said assembly of said members.    
   
   
       25 . A fence assembly which comprises: 
 a) a plurality of post members;    b) a plurality of rail members respectively attached to said post members and oriented at generally acute or right angles relative to said post members;    c) a plurality of picket members oriented at generally acute or right angles relative to said rail members; and    d) a plurality of elongated support members extending between said post members and said picket members to support said picket members in predetermined fixed relation to said post members and said rail members and to further strengthen the assembly of said members.    
   
   
       26 . A method of assembling a fence, comprising: 
 a) positioning at least one post member in generally upright orientation;    b) positioning at least one rail member adjacent to said post member at an angle relative thereto;    c) positioning at least one picket member relative to said rail member; and    d) connecting at least one elongated support member between said post member and said picket member in a manner to support said picket member in predetermined fixed relation to said post member and said rail member and to provide strength to said assembly of said post member, rail member and picket member.    
   
   
       27 . The method according to  claim 26 , wherein said post member, said rail member and said picket member are made of plastic.  
   
   
       28 . The method according to  claim 27 , further comprising a plurality of such post members, rail members and picket members.