Modular vinyl fence system

Abstract

A new fencing system is provided in the present disclosure that is constructed from durable polymer components that are sufficiently rigid and durable while providing an integrated modular assembly that is easy to assembly and well suited to a do-it-yourself marketplace. In particular, the present invention provides an integrated system of interfitting vinyl components and a unique polycarbonate or ABS clip for interconnection thereof. The fence includes vertical posts with horizontal members extending therebetween. The horizontal members include grooves therein to support fence panels in the form of web panels. The horizontal members are connected to the vertical members utilizing a novel and uniquely configured connector element.

1 . A fence system comprising: 
 at least two spaced tubular vertical support members, each of said vertical support members having side walls and at least two vertically spaced holes in at least one side wall thereof;    a rail connector, said rail connector configured to be received and retained in each of said holes in said support members, said rail connectors including a receiver portion, and a pair of opposing retention clips extending from a rear surface of said receiver portion, said retention clips configured to extend into said hole in said sidewall of said vertical support and engage said sidewall to retain said rail connector in assembled relation with said vertical support member, wherein said receiver portion extends outwardly from said side wall of said support members when assembled therewith; and    at least two horizontal rails, each of said rails having a first end and a second end, each of said ends of said rails having openings therein, said openings configured to be frictionally received and retained by said receiver portion of said rail connectors,    wherein said at least two horizontal rails are supported in parallel spaced relation between said at two vertical support members.    
   
   
       2 . The fence system of  claim 1 , said rail connector further comprising: 
 a shoulder extending from the rear surface of said receiver portion, said shoulder contacting an outer surface of said side wall of said vertical supports when said rail connector is in assembled relation therewith    
   
   
       3 . The fence system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a linear groove extending between said first and second ends of each of said horizontal rails; and    a fence panel having a top and bottom edge, said fence panel extending between and supported by said spaced horizontal rails, wherein said top and bottom edges are received and retained in said grooves in said horizontal rails.    
   
   
       4 . The fence system of  claim 1 , said rail connector further comprising: 
 a locking detent extending from a side of said receiver portion, said detent configured and arranged to engage a retention hole in the side of said horizontal rail when said end of said rail is in assembled relation with said rail connector.    
   
   
       5 . The fence system of  claim 1 , wherein said vertical supports, said rail connectors and said horizontal rails are metallic.  
   
   
       6 . The fence system of  claim 1 , wherein said vertical supports and said horizontal rails are formed from a material selected from the group consisting of extruded vinyl and PVC.  
   
   
       7 . The fence system of  claim 1 , wherein said rail connector is formed from a polymer material selected from the group consisting of ABS, PVC, HDPE and polycarbonate.  
   
   
       8 . A connector for attaching vertical and horizontal members of a fencing system, said connector comprising: 
 a receiver portion; and    a pair of opposing retention clips extending from a rear surface of said receiver portion, said retention clips configured to extend into a hole in a sidewall of said vertical member and engage said sidewall to retain said rail connector in assembled relation with said vertical member, wherein said receiver portion extends outwardly from said side wall of said support members when assembled therewith, wherein said receiver portion is configured and arranged to frictionally retain said horizontal member.    
   
   
       9 . The connector of  claim 8 , wherein said connector is metallic.  
   
   
       10 . The connector of  claim 8 , wherein said connector is formed from a polymer material selected from the group consisting of ABS, PVC, HDPE and polycarbonate.  
   
   
       11 . A modular fence system comprising: 
 at least two spaced tubular vertical support members, each of said vertical support members having side walls and at least two vertically spaced holes in at least one side wall thereof;    a rail connector, said rail connector configured to be received and retained in each of said holes in said support members, said rail connectors including a receiver portion, and a pair of opposing retention clips extending from a rear surface of said receiver portion, said retention clips configured to extend into said hole in said sidewall of said vertical support and engage said sidewall to retain said rail connector in assembled relation with said vertical support member, wherein said receiver portion extends outwardly from said side wall of said support members when assembled therewith;    at least two horizontal rails, each of said rails having a first end and a second end, each of said ends of said rails having openings therein, said openings configured to be frictionally received and retained by said receiver portion of said rail connectors, wherein said at least two horizontal rails are supported in parallel spaced relation between said at two vertical support members;    a hinge assembly configured to be received and retained in at least one each of said holes in said support members, said hinge assembly configured to support a gate; and    a latch assembly installed within said gate.    
   
   
       12 . The modular fence system of  claim 11 , said hinge assembly further comprising: 
 first and second hinge plates, said first and second hinge plates being pivotally connected to one another along one edge, each of said hinge plates including a pair of opposing retention clips extending from a rear surface thereof, said retention clips on said first hinge plate configured to extend into a hole in a sidewall of said vertical member and engage said sidewall to retain said first hinge plate in assembled relation with said vertical member, said retention clips on said second hinge plate configured to extend into a hole in a sidewall of a gate and said sidewall to pivotally connect said gate to said with said vertical member.    
   
   
       13 . The modular fence assembly of  claim 12 , said hinge assembly further comprising: 
 a spring, said spring configured and arranged to exert a spring bias between said first and second hinge plates thereby urging the hinge plates together in a normally closed position.    
   
   
       14 . The modular fence system of  claim 12 , said latch assembly further comprising: 
 a latch faceplate including a bore extending therethrough and a pair of opposing retention clips extending from a rear surface thereof, said retention clips configured to extend into a hole in a sidewall of said gate and engage said sidewall to retain said latch faceplate in assembled relation with said gate;    a latch body having a latch pin at one end thereof and a latch interface at an opposite end thereof, said latch pin being slidably received in said bore;    an actuator received in said latch interface; and    a spring extending between said latch body and said latch faceplate said spring urging said latch pin to a first engaged position, wherein displacement of said actuator causes said latch body to move away from said latch faceplate thereby retracting said latch pin into said bore.    
   
   
       15 . The modular fence system of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 a linear groove extending between said first and second ends of each of said horizontal rails; and    a fence panel having a top and bottom edge, said fence panel extending between and supported by said spaced horizontal rails, wherein said top and bottom edges are received and retained in said grooves in said horizontal rails.    
   
   
       16 . The modular fence system of  claim 11 , wherein said vertical supports, said rail connectors, said hinge assembly, said latch assembly and said horizontal rails are metallic.  
   
   
       17 . The modular fence system of  claim 11 , wherein said vertical supports and said horizontal rails are formed from a material selected from the group consisting of extruded vinyl and PVC.  
   
   
       18 . The modular fence system of  claim 11 , wherein said rail connector, said latch assembly and said hinge assembly are formed from a polymer material selected from the group consisting of ABS, PVC, HDPE and polycarbonate.