Slat reinforcement for vinyl fences

Abstract

A fence having a reinforcement member for vinyl fence slats is provided. An elongate reinforcement member is disposed in hollow cavities formed in the fence slats to strengthen the slats against bending. The reinforcement member may be located in different fence slats in a section of fence according to the type of fence and the environment in which the fence is located.

1 . A vinyl fence comprising:
 a first vertically disposed fence post a second vertically disposed fence post;   a first fence rail extending horizontally between the first post and the second post;   a second fence rail extending horizontally between the first post and the second post, the second fence rail being disposed above the first fence rail;   a plurality of slats extending vertically between the first fence rail and the second fence rail, each of the plurality of slats having a cavity formed in the interior thereof extending lengthwise along the slat; and   an elongate reinforcement member removably disposed in the cavity of one of the plurality of slats so as to extend along the length of the slat.   
     
     
         2 . The fence of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcement member is formed from elongate extruded metal. 
     
     
         3 . The fence of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcement member has a width which is similar to a width of the channel. 
     
     
         4 . The fence of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcement member extends longitudinally along the length of the slat. 
     
     
         5 . The fence of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of slats are connected together via a tongue and groove, and wherein not all of the slats have a reinforcement member disposed therein. 
     
     
         6 . The fence of  claim 4 , wherein a first reinforcement member is disposed in a first slat which is located adjacent the first post and a second reinforcement member is disposed in a second slat which is located adjacent the second post and wherein slats between the first slat and second slat do not have a reinforcement member disposed therein. 
     
     
         7 . The fence of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of slats are spaced apart laterally from each other and wherein each of the plurality of slats has a reinforcement member disposed therein. 
     
     
         8 . A fence comprising:
 a first fence post;   a second fence post;   a first fence rail extending between the first fence post and the second fence post;   a second fence rail extending between the first fence post and the second fence post, the second fence rail being disposed above the first fence rail;   a plurality of hollow plastic fence slats extending vertically between the first fence rail and the second fence rail; and   an elongate reinforcement member removably disposed inside of a fence slat so as to extend longitudinally along the slat.   
     
     
         9 . The fence of  claim 8 , wherein two of the plurality of fence slats have elongate reinforcement members disposed therein and wherein one of the plurality of fence slats does not have an elongate reinforcement member disposed therein. 
     
     
         10 . The fence of  claim 8 , wherein the elongate reinforcement member is a length of extruded metal. 
     
     
         11 . The fence of  claim 10 , wherein the elongate reinforcement member is about three quarters of an inch wide and is formed from metal which is about 0.03 inches thick. 
     
     
         12 . The fence of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of fence slats engage each other with a tongue and groove connection, wherein an elongate reinforcement member is disposed in a first slat placed adjacent the first fence post, wherein an elongate reinforcement member is disposed in a second slat placed adjacent the second fence post, and wherein fence slats disposed between the first slat and the second slat do not have an elongate reinforcement member. 
     
     
         13 . The fence of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of fence slats are separated from each other laterally and wherein each of the plurality of fence slats has an elongate reinforcement member disposed therein. 
     
     
         14 . The fence of  claim 8 , wherein each of the fence posts, fence rails and fence slats are hollow vinyl.