Fence Construction Systems

Abstract

A fence construction system in which panels are formed by attaching pickets to rails using fastening means that is located inside the rails. In one system, the pickets are fastened to a rail by a common locking rod. In another system the pickets are deformed inside the rail by a crimping tool. Equipment that assists assembling the panels may be provided. Top or bottom rails may also have a support structure provided within the rail.

1 . A method of forming a picket structure, including: providing a hollow rail to support a plurality of pickets, passing each picket at least partly through the rail, and fastening the pickets to the rail by movement of a fastening tool through the rail.  
   
   
       2 . A method according to  claim 1  including providing a pair of hollow rails to support the pickets, passing each picket entirely through at least one of the rails, and fastening the pickets to the rails from within the rails.  
   
   
       3 . A method according to  claim 1  including: passing the fastening tool longitudinally one way through the rail before passing the pickets laterally through the rail, and then drawing the tool back through the rail to fasten the pickets from within the rail.  
   
   
       4 . A method according to  claim 1  further including passing the pickets laterally through the rail and then passing the fastening tool longitudinally back and forth through the rail to fasten the pickets from within the rail.  
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the fastening tool is a crimping tool which deforms the pickets within the rail.  
   
   
       6 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the fastening tool causes transverse flattening of the pickets with the rail.  
   
   
       7 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the picket structure is a fence panel or a ladder.  
   
   
       8 . Apparatus for forming a picket structure including: a frame for supporting one or more rails of the structure in position to receive pickets, a fastening tool mounted on the frame in alignment or for alignment with the rail, and a tool driver that drives the fastening tool through the rail to fasten the pickets to the rail from within the rail.  
   
   
       9 . Apparatus according to  claim 8  wherein the frame supports a structure having two parallel rails and the fastening tool has two parallel deforming rods aligned with each of the rails.  
   
   
       10 . Apparatus according to  claim 8  wherein each rod of the fastening tool has an expanded end portion that crimps the pickets within the rail.  
   
   
       11 . Apparatus according to  claim 8  wherein the driver pushes the tool through the rails before the pickets are placed in the rails and then pulls the tool back through the rails to fasten the pickets in place.  
   
   
       12 . Apparatus according to  claim 8  wherein the driver pushes and pulls the tool into and out of the rails after the pickets are in place.  
   
   
       13 . Apparatus according to  claim 8  wherein the picket structure is a fence panel or a ladder.  
   
   
       14 . A picket structure formed by the method of  claim 1  or the apparatus of  claim 8.