Methods and Systems for Providing an Accessible Fence Gate with Efficient Separability of Fencing Railing from Support Posts

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide novel support brackets that can be utilized in existing fencing systems to convert at least part of a fence into an invisible gate. A support bracket may include, but is not limited to, a solid planar backing, a u-shaped fence railing holder, at least one collateral rib on each side of a fence railing holder, and perhaps even at least four guide projections on a back of a support bracket.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for converting part of a fence to a gate comprising the steps of:
 providing a fence having at least one fence post and at least one railing attached to said fence post via a railing connector opening in said fence post;   removing an end of said at least one railing out of said railing connector opening in said fence post to expose said railing connector opening;   providing a support bracket having a solid planar backing, a u-shaped fence railing holder, and at least one collateral rib on each side of said u-shaped fence railing holder;   aligning said support bracket over said railing connector opening of said fence post utilizing at least four guide projections on a back side of said solid planar backing; wherein said u-shaped fence railing holder is positioned projecting away from said fence post; and wherein said u-shaped fence railing holder is positioned so that an opening of said u-shape fence railing holder is above a closed portion of said u-shaped fence railing holder;   attaching said support bracket to said fence post with at least one attachment;   placing said end of said at least one railing above said u-shaped fence railing holder;   engaging said end of said at least one railing with said u-shaped fence railing holder;   supporting said at least one railing with said u-shaped fence railing holder and said at least one collateral rib on said each side of said u-shaped fence railing holder; and   providing a capability to remove and replace said end of said at least one railing from said support bracket of said fence post.   
     
     
         2 . The method for converting part of a fence to a gate according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one collateral rib on each side of said u-shaped fence railing holder comprises at least two collateral ribs on each side of said u-shaped fence railing holder. 
     
     
         3 . The method for converting part of a fence to a gate according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one collateral rib on each side of said u-shaped fence railing holder comprises a straight, diagonal rib on each side of said u-shaped fence railing holder. 
     
     
         4 . The method for converting part of a fence to a gate according to  claim 1  wherein said step of attaching said support bracket to said fence post with said at least one attachment comprises a step of providing at least one opening in said solid planar backing of said support bracket and attaching at least one attachment to said support bracket and said fence post. 
     
     
         5 . The method for converting part of a fence to a gate according to  claim 4  wherein said at least one attachment is selected from a group consisting of at least four attachments and at least six attachments. 
     
     
         6 . The method for converting part of a fence to a gate according to  claim 4  wherein said at least one attachment is selected from a group consisting of a mounting screw, nail, glue, rivets, bolts, and staples. 
     
     
         7 . The method for converting part of a fence to a gate according to  claim 1  and further comprising a step of securing said fence railing to said support bracket. 
     
     
         8 . The method for converting part of a fence to a gate according to  claim 1  and further comprising when said fence railing is supported in said support bracket, drilling a hole through each side of said u-shaped fence railing holder and through said railing to provide an opening which a gate engagement can be placed. 
     
     
         9 . The method for converting part of a fence to a gate according to  claim 7  wherein said step of securing said fence railing to said support bracket comprises a step of securing said fence railing to said support bracket with a gate engagement 
     
     
         10 . The method for converting part of a fence to a gate according to  claim 8  wherein said gate engagement is selected from a group consisting of a pin, locking element, lock, nail, chain, wire, rivet, bolt, clip, rod, and metal rod. 
     
     
         11 . The method for converting part of a fence to a gate according to  claim 1  wherein said step of providing said capability to remove and replace said end of said at least one railing from said support bracket of said fence post comprises a step of opening a gate in a fence comprising:
 removing said end of said fence railing from said support bracket; 
 removing the opposite end of said fence railing from a railing connector opening in an adjacent fence post; and 
 placing said fencing railing aside. 
 
     
     
         12 . The method for converting part of a fence to a gate according to  claim 11  wherein said step of providing said capability to remove and replace said end of said at least one railing from said support bracket of said fence post comprises a step of closing said gate in a fence comprising:
 placing said opposite end of said fence railing in said railing connector opening in said adjacent fence post; and 
 placing said end of said railing in said support bracket. 
 
     
     
         13 . A method for converting part of a fence to a gate comprising the steps of:
 providing a fence having at least one fence post and at least one railing attached to said fence post via a railing connector opening in said fence post;   removing an end of said at least one railing out of said railing connector opening in said fence post to expose said railing connector opening;   providing a support bracket having a solid planar backing, a u-shaped fence railing holder, and at least one collateral rib on each side of said u-shaped fence railing holder;   placing said end of said at least one railing into said support bracket;   aligning said support bracket over said railing connector opening of said fence post utilizing at least four guide projections on a back side of said solid planar backing;   attaching said support bracket with said railing engaged in said support bracket to said fence post with at least one attachment;   supporting said at least one railing with said u-shaped fence railing holder and said at least one collateral rib on said each side of said u-shaped fence railing holder; and   providing a capability to remove and replace said end of said at least one railing from said support bracket of said fence post.   
     
     
         14 . The method for converting part of a fence to a gate according to  claim 13  wherein said u-shaped fence railing holder is positioned projecting away from said fence post; and wherein said u-shaped fence railing holder is positioned so that an opening of said u-shape fence railing holder is above a closed portion of said u-shaped fence railing holder. 
     
     
         15 . The method for converting part of a fence to a gate according to  claim 13  wherein said u-shaped fence railing holder is positioned projecting away from said fence post; and wherein said u-shaped fence railing holder is positioned so that an opening of said u-shape fence railing holder is adjacent to a closed portion of said u-shaped fence railing holder. 
     
     
         16 . The method for converting part of a fence to a gate according to  claim 13  wherein said step of placing said end of said at least one railing into said support bracket comprises a step of placing said railing above said support bracket and sliding said railing into said u-shaped fence railing holder. 
     
     
         17 . The method for converting part of a fence to a gate according to  claim 13  wherein said step of placing said end of said at least one railing into said support bracket comprises a step of placing said railing in front of said support bracket and sliding said railing into said u-shaped fence railing holder. 
     
     
         18 . The method for converting part of a fence to a gate according to  claim 13  wherein said step of supporting said at least one railing with said u-shaped fence railing holder and said at least one collateral rib on said each side of said u-shaped fence railing holder comprises a step of supporting said end of said railing when said support bracket is in a vertical position ( 22 ). 
     
     
         19 . The method for converting part of a fence to a gate according to  claim 13  wherein said step of supporting said at least one railing with said u-shaped fence railing holder and said at least one collateral rib on said each side of said u-shaped fence railing holder comprises a step of supporting said end of said railing when said support bracket is in a horizontal position ( 23 ). 
     
     
         20 . A convertible fence-to-gate bracket comprising:
 a support bracket having a solid planar backing and a u-shaped fence railing holder;   at least four guide projections on a back of said solid planar backing configured to align said support bracket positioned over a railing connector opening of a fence post;   wherein said railing connector opening in said fence post is configured to allow an end of a fence railing to be placed therein; and wherein said u-shaped fence railing holder is configured to accept and support an end of a fence railing;   at least one collateral rib on each side of said u-shaped fence railing holder; and   at least one attachment configured to attach said support bracket to said fence post.   
     
     
         21 - 28 . (canceled)