Method and apparatus for fixing and constructing fences

Abstract

An overall device is provided for supporting one or more pickets of a fence in alignment at the same height, in a horizontal plane in order to replace a damaged fence picket or in order to assemble a new fence unit. The overall device may be comprised of a first rail; a first device fixed to the first rail at a first location; and a second device fixed to the first rail at a second location spaced apart from the first location. The first device may include means for temporarily attaching the first device to a horizontal rail of a fence. The second device may include means for temporarily attaching the second device to the horizontal rail of the fence while the first device is temporarily attached to the horizontal rail of the fence.

1 . An apparatus comprising:
 an overall device which is comprised of:
 a first rail; 
 a first device fixed to the first rail at a first location; 
 a second device fixed to the first rail at a second location spaced apart from the first location; 
   wherein the first device includes means for temporarily attaching the first device to a horizontal rail of a fence;   wherein the second device includes means for temporarily attaching the second device to the horizontal rail of the fence while the first device is temporarily attached to the horizontal rail of the fence; and   wherein the means for temporarily attaching the first device to the horizontal rail of the fence and the means for temporarily attaching the second device to the horizontal rail of the fence while the first device is temporarily attached to the horizontal rail of the fence, together cause the first rail to be temporarily suspended beneath the horizontal rail of the fence.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein
 the means for temporarily attaching the first device to the horizontal rail of the fence and the means for temporarily attaching the second device to the horizontal rail of the fence while the first device is temporarily attached to the horizontal rail of the fence, together cause the first rail to be temporarily suspended from the horizontal rail of the fence, substantially parallel to the horizontal rail of the fence. 
 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising the fence. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein
 the first device is comprised of a U-shaped member which is configured to be temporarily attached to the horizontal rail of the fence; 
 and the second device is comprised of a U-shaped member which is configured to be temporarily attached to the horizontal rail of the fence, while the U-shaped member of the first device is temporarily attached to the horizontal rail of the fence. 
 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein
 the first device includes a first bolt which is inserted through a first plate fixed to the rail of the overall device and through a second plate fixed to the U-shaped member of the first device; 
 wherein the second device includes a second bolt which is inserted through a third plate fixed to the rail of the overall device and through a fourth plate fixed to the U-shaped member of the first device; 
 wherein a first distance between the first plate and the second plate can be adjusted by moving the second plate along the first bolt; and 
 wherein a second distance between the third plate and the fourth plate can be adjusted by moving the fourth plate along the second bolt. 
 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein
 the first device includes first and second nuts through which the first bolt is inserted and wherein the second plate is between the first and second nuts and the first and second nuts are configured to set the first distance of the second plate from the first plate; 
 and wherein the second device includes third and fourth nuts through which the second bolt is inserted and wherein the fourth plate is between the third and fourth nuts and the third and fourth nuts are configured to set the second distance of the fourth plate from the third plate. 
 
     
     
         7 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus for constructing a fence comprising:
 an alignment rail; and   a first device attached to the alignment rail and having a first attachment member disposed a first distance from the alignment rail, the first attachment member defining a channel that opens in a direction toward the alignment rail and is configured to receive a horizontal rail of the fence therein such that when the horizontal rail of the fence is received within the channel, the alignment rail is temporarily suspended beneath the horizontal rail.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising a second device attached to the alignment rail at a location offset from the first attachment member along the length of the alignment rail, and wherein the second device includes a second attachment member that is disposed a second distance from the alignment rail and that defines a channel that opens in a direction toward the alignment rail which is configured to receive the horizontal rail of the fence therein. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the first and second distances are substantially equal. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the alignment rail defines a planar surface which faces an opening of the first attachment member. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the first attachment member is adjustably attached to the alignment rail via an adjustment member extending between the alignment rail and first attachment member. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the adjustment member is a threaded shaft. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the first attachment member includes a first portion, a second portion, and an intermediate portion that extends between the first and second portions, and each of the intermediate portion and first and second portions partially define the channel. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the first and second portions intersect the intermediate portion so as to extend downwardly therefrom and so that when the horizontal rail of the fence is received within the channel, the intermediate portion rests on a top surface of the horizontal rail and the first and second portions extend along opposite sides of the horizontal rail so as to restrict movement of the first attachment member relative to the horizontal rail. 
     
     
         23 . A method of constructing a fence comprising:
 placing a first attachment member of a first device of a fence construction apparatus onto a horizontal rail of a fence such that the horizontal rail of the fence is received within a channel defined by the first attachment member and such that an alignment rail of the fence construction apparatus which is attached to the first device is suspended beneath the horizontal rail;   contacting the alignment rail with a bottom end of a first picket; and   attaching the first picket to the horizontal rail of the fence.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising placing a second attachment member of a second device of the fence construction apparatus onto the horizontal rail of a fence such that the horizontal rail of the fence is received within a channel defined by the second attachment member, the second device being attached to the alignment rail offset from the first device. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising passing the bottom end of the first picket through an opening in the horizontal rail of the fence. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising:
 contacting the alignment rail with a bottom end of a second picket offset from the first picket so that the bottom end of the second picket is aligned with the bottom end of the first picket, and   attaching the second picket to the horizontal rail of the fence.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising adjusting a distance between the first attachment member and alignment rail. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein adjusting includes rotating a nut coupled to a threaded shaft attaching the alignment rail and first attachment member.