Fence Panel and Method for Assembly

Abstract

A fence panel has a first fence post and a second fence post spaced from the first post, each post having a face oriented toward the other post. An upper tab and lower clip are mounted on each post. Each upper tab is fixed, and each lower clip is movable during assembly relative to the associated post between a lower position and a higher position. A top rail is assembled onto the upper tabs, a bottom rail is assembled onto the lower clips, and at least one fence picket is inserted between the rails. During assembly the bottom rail and pickets are moved upward together relative to the posts and toward the top rail to an assembled position for retaining each picket between the rails. The lower clips are moved to the higher position for retaining the bottom rail and pickets in the assembled position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fence panel, comprising:
 a first fence post and a second fence post spaced from the first post, each post having a face oriented toward the other post;   a fixed upper tab on the face of each post, corresponding upper tabs on adjacent posts forming a pair;   a lower clip on the face of each post, each lower clip having a tab, corresponding lower clips on adjacent posts forming a pair, each lower clip being movable relative to the associated post during assembly;   at least one fence picket;   a top rail assembled onto one pair of upper tabs and having a cross-sectional shape configured for receiving an upper end of each picket; and   a bottom rail assembled onto one pair of lower clips and having a cross-sectional shape configured for receiving a lower end of each picket;   wherein during assembly the bottom rail and the at least one picket are moved upward together relative to the posts and toward the top rail to an assembled position for retaining each picket between the rails.   
     
     
         2 . The fence panel of  claim 1 , wherein the upper end of each picket is inserted into the top rail from below the top rail. 
     
     
         3 . The fence panel of  claim 1 , wherein the lower end of each picket is inserted into the bottom rail from above the bottom rail. 
     
     
         4 . The fence panel of  claim 1 , wherein during assembly the lower clips are moved from a lower position to a higher position and affixed in the higher position to retain the bottom rail and the at least one picket in the assembled position. 
     
     
         5 . The fence panel of  claim 1 , wherein each upper tabs is located on an upper clip. 
     
     
         6 . The fence panel of  claim 1 , wherein each lower clip has a mounting tab and a rail-support tab extending generally perpendicular from to the mounting tab. 
     
     
         7 . The fence panel of  claim 1 , wherein the lower tab has an elongated slot. 
     
     
         8 . The fence panel of  claim 1 , wherein the upper tab is integral to a plate that serves as a template for installation of the lower clip. 
     
     
         9 . A fence panel, comprising:
 a first fence post and a second fence post spaced from the first post, each post having a face oriented toward the other post;   a fixed upper tab on the face of each post, corresponding upper tabs on adjacent posts forming a pair;   a lower clip on the face of each post, corresponding lower clips on adjacent posts forming a pair, each lower clip being movable relative to the associated post during assembly;   at least one fence picket;   a top rail assembled onto one pair of upper tabs and having a cross-sectional shape configured for receiving an upper end of each picket; and   a bottom rail assembled onto one pair of lower clips and having a cross-sectional shape configured for receiving a lower end of each picket;   wherein during assembly the bottom rail and the at least one picket are moved upward together relative to the posts and toward the top rail to an assembled position for retaining each picket between the rails, and the lower clips are moved from a lower position to a higher position and affixed in the higher position to retain the bottom rail and at least one picket in the assembled position.   
     
     
         10 . The fence panel of  claim 9 , wherein the upper end of each picket is inserted into the top rail from below the top rail. 
     
     
         11 . The fence panel of  claim 9 , wherein the lower end of each picket is inserted into the lower rail from above the lower rail. 
     
     
         12 . The fence panel of  claim 9 , wherein each upper tabs is located on an upper clip. 
     
     
         13 . The fence panel of  claim 9 , wherein each lower clip has a mounting tab and a rail-support tab extending generally perpendicular from to the mounting tab. 
     
     
         14 . The fence panel of  claim 9 , wherein the upper tab is integral to a plate that serves as a template for installation of the lower clip. 
     
     
         15 . A method of constructing a fence panel, the steps comprising:
 (a) affixing a first fence post in a final position;   (b) affixing a second fence post in a final position spaced from the first fence post;   (c) installing a fixed upper tab on each post, corresponding upper tabs on adjacent posts forming a pair;   (d) installing a movable lower clip on each post, corresponding lower clips on adjacent posts forming a pair, each lower clip being movable relative to the associated post during assembly between a lower position and a higher position;   (e) assembling a top rail onto one pair of upper tabs;   (f) assembling a bottom rail onto one pair of lower clips;   (g) inserting pickets between the rails; and   (h) moving the bottom rail and the pickets upward together toward the top rail, thereby capturing the pickets between the rails.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 (i) moving the lower clips from the lower position to the higher position and affixing the clips in the higher position to retain the bottom rail and the pickets in the assembled position.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein step (d) comprises using a template to indicate an installation location for each lower clip. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein step (d) comprises using a template to indicate an installation location for each lower clip, the template having a template portion and a perpendicular alignment portion. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein step (c) comprises using a plate with an integral upper tab, the plate also indicating an installation location for each lower clip. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein step (h) comprises using straps to pull the bottom rail toward the top rail.