Posts for fence systems, fence systems, and methods of assembling and installing the same

Abstract

A post for use in a fence installation is provided. The post includes a body portion defining a first plurality of mortises in a fixed position with respect to the body portion. The post also includes an adjustable portion defining a second plurality of mortises, the adjustable portion being engageable with the body portion such that a position of the second plurality of mortises is adjustable with respect to the body portion.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A post for use in a fence installation, the post comprising:
 a body portion defining a first plurality of mortises in a fixed position with respect to the body portion; and   an adjustable portion defining a second plurality of mortises, the adjustable portion being engageable with the body portion such that a position of the second plurality of mortises is adjustable with respect to the body portion.   
     
     
         2 . The post of  claim 1  wherein the body portion includes a “U” shaped channel, and wherein the first plurality of mortises are defined by a wall portion of the “U” shaped channel. 
     
     
         3 . The post of  claim 1  wherein the adjustable portion is slidably engageable with the body portion such that the position of the second plurality of mortises is adjustable with respect to the body portion. 
     
     
         4 . The post of  claim 1  wherein the adjustable portion is configured to be snapped in place with the body portion. 
     
     
         5 . The post of  claim 1  wherein the body portion defines a groove configured to receive an engagement portion of the adjustable portion during engagement therebetween. 
     
     
         6 . The post of  claim 1  wherein the adjustable portion defines a groove configured to receive an engagement portion of the body portion during engagement therebetween. 
     
     
         7 . The post of  claim 1  wherein at least one of a miter joint and a butt joint is provided between the body portion and the adjustable portion during engagement therebetween. 
     
     
         8 . The post of  claim 1  wherein each of the body portion and the adjustable portion is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of a plastic material and a composite material. 
     
     
         9 . A fence system comprising:
 a first post, the first post including (i) a first body portion and (ii) a first adjustable portion defining a plurality of mortises, the first adjustable portion being engageable with the first body portion such that a position of the plurality of mortises is adjustable with respect to the first body portion;   second post; and   at least one rail configured to be positioned between one of the plurality of mortises and the second post.   
     
     
         10 . The fence system of  claim 9  wherein the second post includes (i) a second body portion and (ii) a second adjustable portion defining a second plurality of mortises, the second adjustable portion being engageable with the second body portion such that a position of the second plurality of mortises is adjustable with respect to the second body portion. 
     
     
         11 . The fence system of  claim 9  wherein the first body portion defines a third plurality of mortises in a fixed position with respect to the first body portion. 
     
     
         12 . The fence system of  claim 10  wherein the first body portion defines a third plurality of mortises in a fixed position with respect to the first body portion. 
     
     
         13 . The fence system of  claim 11  wherein the first body portion includes a “U” shaped channel, and wherein the third plurality of mortises are defined by a wall portion of the “U” shaped channel. 
     
     
         14 . The fence system of  claim 12  wherein the second body portion defines a fourth plurality of mortises in a fixed position with respect to the first body portion. 
     
     
         15 . The fence system of  claim 9  wherein the first adjustable portion is slidably engageable with the first body portion such that the position of the plurality of mortises is adjustable with respect to the first body portion. 
     
     
         16 . The fence system of  claim 9  the first adjustable portion is configured to be snapped in place with the first body portion. 
     
     
         17 . A method of installing a fence system, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) determining information related to a change in elevation of installation of a first post and a second post;   (b) installing the first post, the first post defining a plurality of mortises;   (c) installing the second post using the information from step (a), the second post including (i) a second body portion and (ii) a second adjustable portion defining a second plurality of mortises, the second adjustable portion being engageable with the second body portion such that a position of the second plurality of mortises is adjustable with respect to the second body portion; and   (d) installing a rail between the first post and the second post, the rail being engaged between (i) one of the plurality of mortises defined by the first post and (ii) one of the second plurality of mortises defined by the second post.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  installing a second rail between the first post and the second post, the second rail being engaged between (i) another of the plurality of mortises defined by the first post and (ii) another of the second plurality of mortises defined by the second post. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the second body portion defines a third plurality of mortises in a fixed position with respect to the body portion. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the first post includes (i) a first body portion and (ii) a first adjustable portion, the first adjustable portion being engageable with the first body portion, the plurality of mortises defined by the first post being defined by the first body portion or the first adjustable portion.