System, method and Apparatus for Assembling a Picket Fence

Abstract

The present invention provides a system, method and apparatus for assembling a picket fence. The picket fence includes two or more attachment surfaces, one or more rails, one or more single piece fasteners and one or more pickets. The one or more rails extend transversely to and are secured between two of the attachment surfaces. Each rail has one or more through apertures therein centered on a longitudinal axis of each rail. A single piece fastener is substantially disposed within each rail aperture and includes a housing having an aperture extending from a first end to a second end of the housing. The one or more pickets are vertically disposed between the rails and extend through the vertically aligned single piece fastener apertures. The single piece fastener locks into place within the rail aperture and locks the picket into place without any additional parts.

1 . A picket fence comprising:
 two or more attachment surfaces;   one or more rails extending transversely to and secured between two of the attachment surfaces, each rail having one or more through apertures therein centered on a longitudinal axis of each rail;   a single piece fastener substantially disposed within each rail aperture, the fastener comprising a housing having an aperture extending from a first end to a second end of the housing; and   one or more pickets vertically disposed between the rails and extending through the vertically aligned single piece fastener apertures.   
   
   
       2 . The picket fence as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the attachment surfaces comprise a post, a wall, a building or a combination thereof. 
   
   
       3 . The picket fence as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the one or more rails comprise two or more rails spaced apart from one another and extending transversely to and secured between two of the attachment surfaces, and wherein the respective rail apertures are aligned. 
   
   
       4 . The picket fence as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the two or more rails are not perpendicular to the attachment surfaces or the pickets. 
   
   
       5 . The picket fence as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the single piece fastener locks into place within the rail aperture and locks the picket into place without any additional parts. 
   
   
       6 . The picket fence as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the single piece fastener prevents movement of the picket after installation. 
   
   
       7 . The picket fence as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the single piece fastener substantially seals the rail aperture. 
   
   
       8 . The picket fence as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a cross sectional shape of the rail aperture is not substantially identical to a cross sectional shape of the single piece fastener aperture. 
   
   
       9 . The picket fence as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the single piece fastener is pre-installed in the rail aperture. 
   
   
       10 . The picket fence as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the single piece fastener further comprises:
 a flange extending transversely from the first end;   a first fastener disposed between the first end and the second end to engage the rail; and   a second fastener disposed between the first end and the second end to engage the picket.   
   
   
       11 . The picket fence as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising one or more stops disposed on each picket to prevent the picket from falling through the single piece fastener. 
   
   
       12 . An apparatus to fasten a picket to a rail of a picket fence comprising:
 a housing having an aperture extending from a first end to a second end of the housing and a flange extending transversely from the first end;   a first fastener disposed between the first end and the second end to engage the rail; and   a second fastener disposed between the first end and the second end to engage the picket.   
   
   
       13 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 12 , wherein a cross section of the aperture is substantially circular, oval, square, rectangular, triangular, hexagonal, polygonal or shaped to receive a picket having a non-circular, non-oval, non-square, non-rectangular, non-triangular, non-hexagonal, non-polygonal cross section. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the flange comprises two or more tabs. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the flange has an ornamental appearance. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the flange is disposed between the first end and the first fastener. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the first fastener comprises one or more self-locking tabs and the second fastener comprises one or more self-locking tabs. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 17 , wherein each self-locking tab is integrated into the housing and includes an angled portion to engage the rail or the picket. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 17 , wherein each self-locking tab comprises a set of ridges to engage the rail or the picket. 
   
   
       20 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the first fastener comprises a first self-locking tab disposed in a first quadrant of the housing and a second self-locking tab disposed in a third quadrant of the housing, and the second fastener comprises a third self-locking tab disposed in a second quadrant of the housing and a fourth self-locking tab disposed in a fourth quadrant of the housing. 
   
   
       21 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the housing comprises a metal, a plastic or an alloy. 
   
   
       22 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 12 , further comprising a protective coating on the housing. 
   
   
       23 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the fastener is a single piece. 
   
   
       24 . A rail for a picket fence comprising:
 a rail member having one or more through apertures therein centered on a longitudinal axis of the rail member; and   a single piece fastener substantially disposed within each rail aperture, the fastener comprising a housing having an aperture extending from a first end to a second end of the housing to receive and secure a picket.   
   
   
       25 . A method of fastening a picket to a rail of a picket fence comprising the steps of:
 providing the rail having one or more through apertures therein centered on a longitudinal axis of the rail and a single piece fastener substantially disposed within each rail aperture, the fastener comprising a housing having an aperture extending from a first end to a second end of the housing; and   inserting the picket into the single piece fastener aperture.   
   
   
       26 . The method as recited in  claim 25 , further comprising the step of inserting the single piece fastener into each rail aperture.