Fence rail bracket with tool-less fasteners

Abstract

A fence rail bracket assembly for mounting a fence rail to a fence post includes a mounting bracket and at least one retainer clamp that locks to the bracket without using any tools. The mounting bracket mounts to the post, has a bottom wall that supports the rail, and has two sidewalls that receive the rail between them. At least one sidewall coupling element interlocks with at least one clamp coupling element to lock the clamp to the bracket and thereby secure the rail on the bracket. In example embodiments, the bracket assembly includes two clamps each having one coupling element, one clamp having two coupling elements, push-lock coupling elements, slide-lock coupling elements, and angular slide-lock coupling elements.

1 . A fence bracket assembly for use with a fence system including at least one upstanding post and at least one rail that is laterally arranged relative to the post, the bracket assembly comprising:
 two upstanding sidewalls that receive the rail therebetween, wherein at least one of the sidewalls includes a coupling element;   a rear wall that extends from one or both of the sidewalls and is adapted to mount to the post;   a bottom wall extending at least partially between the two sidewalls and defining a support surface that supports the rail; and   at least one retainer clamp including at least one coupling element that locks to the bracket coupling element without using any tools, wherein the bracket defines an access opening through which the rail can be non-axially inserted onto the bracket, and wherein the at least one clamp defines a retaining surface that blocks the rail from being removed through the access opening when the clamp is locked to the bracket.   
     
     
         2 . A fence bracket assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the at least one retainer clamp comprises a clamp that spans from one of the sidewalls to the other of the sidewalls of the bracket assembly. 
     
     
         3 . A fence bracket assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the at least one retainer clamp comprises two clamps, one of which engages one of the sidewalls and a second of which engages the other of the sidewalls. 
     
     
         4 . A fence bracket assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the at least one retainer clamp is serrated or barbed to releasably secure it to one or both of the side walls. 
     
     
         5 . A fence bracket assembly as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the at least one retainer clamp is partially inserted into a socket formed in at least one of the sidewalls. 
     
     
         6 . A fence bracket assembly as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the at least one retainer clamp comprises a socket for receiving a barbed or serrated portion of one of the side walls. 
     
     
         7 . A fence bracket assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the at least one retainer clamp is secured to one of the sidewalls by moving the retainer clamp vertically relative to the side wall. 
     
     
         8 . A fence bracket assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the at least one retainer clamp is secured to one of the sidewalls by moving the retainer clamp essentially horizontally relative to the side wall. 
     
     
         9 . A fence bracket assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the at least one retainer clamp is secured to one of the sidewalls by moving the retainer clamp partially horizontally and partially downwardly relative to the side wall. 
     
     
         10 . A fence bracket assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the at least one retainer clamp is secured to one of the sidewalls teeth or splines. 
     
     
         11 . A fence bracket assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein when the at least one retainer clamp is secured to one of the sidewalls, a smooth outer appearance is obtained.