Fence panel

Abstract

The present application provides a fence panel comprising at least one rail, wherein a side of the rail comprises a plurality of holes therethrough a plurality of pickets comprising apertures in opposite side walls thereof, such that the apertures create a channel extending through the picket width, wherein each of the plurality of pickets extends through a different hole in the rail, such that the apertures in the pickets are aligned and a rod extending along at least part of the length of the rail, wherein the rod extends through the channel between the apertures in each of the pickets.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fence panel comprising:
 at least one rail, wherein a side of the rail comprises a plurality of holes therethrough;   a plurality of pickets comprising apertures in opposite side walls thereof, such that the apertures create a channel extending through the picket width, wherein each of the plurality of pickets extends through a different hole in the rail, such that the apertures in the pickets are aligned; and   a rod extending along at least part of the length of the rail, wherein the rod extends through the channel between the apertures in each of the pickets.   
     
     
         2 . The fence panel according to  claim 1 , wherein the rod extends along at least 75% of the length of the rail, preferably along at least 90% of the length of the rail. 
     
     
         3 . The fence panel according to  claim 1 , wherein the rod has a circular cross-section and the apertures in the pickets have an oval or an elongated oval cross-section. 
     
     
         4 . The fence panel according to  claim 1 , wherein the width of the rod is between 70% and 95% of the width of the aperture, preferably between 75% and 90% 
     
     
         5 . The fence panel according to  claim 1 , wherein the height of the rod is between 55% and 85% of the height of the apertures in the picket, preferably between 60% and 80%. 
     
     
         6 . The fence panel according to  claim 1 , wherein the apertures on opposite side walls of the picket are identical. 
     
     
         7 . The fence panel according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the ends of the rod is pointed. 
     
     
         8 . The fence panel according to  claim 1 , wherein the holes in the rail are larger than a cross-section of the picket. 
     
     
         9 . The fence panel according to  claim 1 , wherein the rail is a horizontal rail. 
     
     
         10 . The fence panel according to  claim 1 , wherein the distance between the edge of the aperture furthest from the end of the picket and the end of the picket itself is less than the width of the rail. 
     
     
         11 . The fence panel according to  claim 1 , wherein the rail has a square, rectangular or U-shaped cross section and/or wherein the pickets have a circular, square or rectangular cross-section. 
     
     
         12 . The fence panel according to  claim 1 , wherein the rail is connected to a fence post at one or both ends thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The fence panel according to  claim 1 , comprising two or more rails, wherein the pickets extend through holes in each of the rails, optionally wherein each of the two or more rails are connected to a fence post at one or both ends thereof. 
     
     
         14 . A kit of parts for creating a fence panel according to  claim 1 , comprising:
 at least one rail, wherein a side of the rail comprises a plurality of holes therethrough;   a plurality of pickets comprising apertures in opposite side walls thereof, such that the apertures create a channel extending through the picket width, wherein each of the plurality of pickets is sized to extend through a hole in the rail; and   a rod sized to extend through the apertures in the pickets and to extend along at least part of the length of the rail.   
     
     
         15 . A method of assembling a fence panel according to  claim 1 , comprising the steps of:
 inserting an end of each picket of a plurality of pickets into a different hole in a surface of the rail; and   passing a rod through the apertures in the pickets, thereby connecting the pickets together.