Fence system with variable rail reinforcement

Abstract

A fencing system that includes a plurality of fence rails extending between two fence posts. The fence rails may comprise a foamed material core that is enclosed by a weather resistant capping material. One or more hollow passageways may be formed in each of the fence rails to both reduce weight and to receive a metal reinforcing member. A plurality of fence pickets may be installed onto the fence rails using power driven fasteners, such as ring shank nails or staples.

1 - 56 . (canceled) 
     
     
         57 . A modular fence system comprising:
 a plurality of fence pickets;   a pair of fence posts;   a first fence rail extending horizontally between the fence posts, the first fence rail comprising a core formed of a foamed material, a cap enclosing the core, and at least one hollow passageway formed in the core and extending along a longitudinal length of the first fence rail;   a tubular reinforcing member disposed in the at least one hollow passageway; and   a plurality of fasteners securing the plurality of fence pickets to the first rail, each of the plurality of fasteners having a shaft extending through one of the fence pickets and into the foamed material of the core of the first fence rail;   wherein the fasteners are ring shank nails.   
     
     
         58 . The modular fence system of  claim 57 , wherein the tubular reinforcing member has an annular cross-section. 
     
     
         59 . The modular fence system of  claim 57 , wherein the at least one hollow passageway has a circular cross-section. 
     
     
         60 . The modular fence system of  claim 57 , wherein the at least one hollow passageway has a non-circular cross-section that is one of oval, square, rectangular, or I-beam shaped. 
     
     
         61 . The modular fence system of  claim 57 , wherein the reinforcing member comprises one of metal, steel, aluminum, fiberglass, plastic, and an inorganic material. 
     
     
         62 . The modular fence system of  claim 57 , wherein a the at least one hollow passageway comprises a pair of spaced apart, hollow passageways. 
     
     
         63 . The modular fence system of  claim 62 , wherein one of the hollow passageways is disposed on either side of a center of the first fence rail. 
     
     
         64 . The modular fence system of  claim 57 , further comprising a second fence rail extending between the fence posts, the second fence rail having a at least one hollow passageway extending along a length of the second fence rail, wherein the plurality of fence pickets are secured to the second fence rail by fasteners. 
     
     
         65 . The modular fence system of  claim 64 , further comprising a third fence rail extending between the fence posts, the third fence rail having at least one hollow passageway extending along a length of the third fence rail, wherein the plurality of fence pickets are secured to the third fence rail by fasteners. 
     
     
         66 . The modular fence system of  claim 57 , wherein the foamed material is cellular PVC. 
     
     
         67 . The modular fence system of  claim 57 , wherein the fence pickets comprise a foamed material. 
     
     
         68 . The modular fence system of  claim 57 , wherein the cap enclosing the core of the first fence rail comprises an embossed cap. 
     
     
         69 . A modular fence system comprising:
 a plurality of fence pickets;   a pair of fence posts;   a first fence rail extending horizontally between the fence posts, the first fence rail comprising a core formed of a foamed material, a cap enclosing the core, and at least one hollow passageway formed in the core and extending along a longitudinal length of the first fence rail; and,   a plurality of fasteners securing the plurality of fence pickets to the first rail, each of the plurality of fasteners having a shaft extending through one of the fence pickets and into the foamed material of the core of the first fence rail;   wherein the fasteners are ring shank nails;   wherein the at least one hollow passageway has a non-circular cross-section.   
     
     
         70 . The modular fence system of  claim 69 , further comprising a tubular reinforcing member disposed in the at least one hollow passageway. 
     
     
         71 . The modular fence system of  claim 70 , wherein the tubular reinforcing member has an annular cross-section. 
     
     
         72 . The modular fence system of  claim 69 , wherein the at least one hollow passageway has a cross-section that is one of oval, square, rectangular, or I-beam shaped. 
     
     
         73 . A modular fence system comprising:
 a plurality of fence pickets;   a pair of fence posts;   a first fence rail extending horizontally between the fence posts, the first fence rail comprising a core formed of a foamed material, a cap enclosing the core, and at least one hollow passageway formed in the core and extending along a longitudinal length of the first fence rail;   a tubular reinforcing member disposed in the at least one hollow passageway; and   a plurality of fasteners securing the plurality of fence pickets to the first rail, each of the plurality of fasteners having a shaft extending through one of the fence pickets and into the foamed material of the core of the first fence rail.   
     
     
         74 . The modular fence system of  claim 73 , wherein the fasteners are screws. 
     
     
         75 . The modular fence system of  claim 73 , wherein the fasteners are staples. 
     
     
         76 . The modular fence system of  claim 73 , wherein the fasteners are ring shank nails. 
     
     
         77 . The modular fence system of  claim 73 , wherein the tubular reinforcing member has an annular cross-section. 
     
     
         78 . The modular fence system of  claim 73 , wherein the at least one hollow passageway has a circular cross-section. 
     
     
         79 . The modular fence system of  claim 73 , wherein the at least one hollow passageway has a non-circular cross-section that is one of oval, square, rectangular, or I-beam shaped.