Fence assembly with connectors

Abstract

The present invention is a fence assembly consisting of fence segments and connectors. Each fence segment may be secured to another fence segment by a connector. The present invention may use in-line connectors, living hinge connectors, male/female hinged connectors and/or end caps. The connectors may be adapted to fit into the hollow channel rails by a friction fit, press fit, adhesion or any other suitable connecting means

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A fence assembly comprising: 
 a ground stake;    a first fence segment and a second fence segment, each fence segment having a picket post and a hollow channel rail which is substantially continuous for the length of said fence segment, wherein each hollow channel rail has two ends, wherein said ground stake fits inside said picket post of one of said fence segments; and    a connector, wherein said connector is inserted into said end of said hollow channel rail on said first fence segment and into said end of said hollow channel rail on said second fence segment, thereby securing said fence segments together.    
     
     
         2 . The fence assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said connector comprises: 
 a channel body, said channel body defined by a first side wall, a second side wall, a first end wall and a second end wall, said channel body having two faces;    a terminal wall, said terminal wall attached to said channel body at one of said faces of said channel body, said terminal wall having an outer surface and a peripheral edge; and    a connecting element affixed to said terminal wall.    
     
     
         3 . The fence assembly as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said first side wall and said second side wall are substantially parallel and equal in length.  
     
     
         4 . The fence assembly as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said first end wall and said second end wall are substantially parallel and equal in length.  
     
     
         5 . The fence assembly as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said first end wall and said second end wall are of a length shorter than said first side wall and said second side wall.  
     
     
         6 . The fence assembly as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said terminal wall is substantially perpendicular to said channel body and is of a size slightly larger than the perimeter of said channel body, thereby forming a ledge around said channel body.  
     
     
         7 . The fence assembly as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said connecting element is comprised of a second channel body affixed to said outer surface of said terminal wall, said second channel body defined by a first side wall, a second side wall, a first end wall and a second end wall.  
     
     
         8 . The fence assembly as defined in  claim 7 , wherein said first side wall and said second side wall of said second channel body are substantially parallel and equal in length.  
     
     
         9 . The fence assembly as defined in  claim 7 , wherein said first end wall and said second end wall of said second channel body are substantially parallel and equal in length.  
     
     
         10 . The fence assembly as defined in  claim 7 , wherein said first end wall and said second end wall of said second channel body are of a length shorter than said first side wall and said second side wall of said second channel body.  
     
     
         11 . The fence assembly as defined in  claim 7 , wherein said first channel body and said second channel body are substantially similar in size and shape.  
     
     
         12 . The fence assembly as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said connecting element comprises: 
 a second channel body, said second channel body defined by a first side wall, a second side wall, a first end wall and a second end wall, said second channel body having two faces;    a second terminal wall, said second terminal wall attached to said second channel body at one of said faces of said second channel body, said second terminal wall having an outer surface and a peripheral edge; and    a flexible joining member, wherein said flexible joining member affixes said peripheral edge of said second terminal wall to said peripheral edge of said first terminal wall, thereby forming a living hinge.    
     
     
         13 . The fence assembly as defined in  claim 12 , wherein said first side wall and said second side wall of said second channel body are substantially parallel and equal in length.  
     
     
         14 . The fence assembly as defined in  claim 12 , wherein said first end wall and said second end wall of said second channel body are substantially parallel and equal in length.  
     
     
         15 . The fence assembly as defined in  claim 12 , wherein said first end wall and said second end wall of said second channel body are of a length shorter than said first side wall and said second side wall of said second channel body.  
     
     
         16 . The fence assembly as defined in  claim 12 , wherein said second terminal wall is substantially perpendicular to said second channel body and is of a size slightly larger than the perimeter of said second channel body, thereby forming a ledge around said second channel body.  
     
     
         17 . The fence assembly as defined in  claim 12 , wherein said first channel body and said second channel body are substantially similar in size and shape.  
     
     
         18 . The fence assembly as defined in  claim 12 , wherein said first terminal wall and said second terminal wall are substantially similar in size and shape.  
     
     
         19 . The fence assembly as defined in  claim 2 , said connector further comprising: 
 a second channel body, said second channel body defined by a first side wall, a second side wall, a first end wall and a second end wall, said second channel body having two faces;    a second terminal wall, said second terminal wall attached to said second channel body at one of said faces of said second channel body, said second terminal wall having an outer surface and a peripheral edge; and    a second connecting element affixed to said second terminal wall;    wherein said connecting element and said second connecting element are interconnected to secure said fence segments together.    
     
     
         20 . The fence assembly as defined in  claim 19 , wherein said channel body and said second channel body are substantially similar in size and shape, and wherein said terminal wall and said second terminal wall are substantially similar in size and shape.  
     
     
         21 . The fence assembly as defined in  claim 19 , wherein said connecting element is comprised of a female connecting element and said second connecting element is comprised of a male connecting element; 
 said female connecting element having an arm, said arm having a free end and an aperture near said free end; and    said male connecting element having an arm, said arm having a free end and a surface, said arm having at least one projection affixed to and extending from said surface of said arm near said free end of said arm.    
     
     
         22 . The fence assembly as defined in  claim 21 , wherein said projection has a free end and a lip.  
     
     
         23 . The fence assembly as defined in  claim 22 , wherein said lip is substantially parallel to said free end of said projection.  
     
     
         24 . The fence assembly as defined in  claim 21 , wherein said projection is in a circular array of similar projections comprised of four curved projections.  
     
     
         25 . The fence assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said connector comprises: 
 a channel body having two faces, said channel body defined by a first side wall, a second side wall, a first end wall and a second end wall, wherein said first side wall and said second side wall are substantially parallel and equal in length, wherein said first end wall and said second end wall are substantially parallel and equal in length and wherein said first end wall and said second end wall are of a length shorter than said first side wall and said second side wall; and    a terminal wall, said terminal wall attached to said channel body at one of said faces of said channel body, said terminal wall having an outer surface and a peripheral edge, said terminal wall being substantially perpendicular to said channel body and of a size slightly larger than the perimeter of said channel body, thereby forming a ledge around said channel body.    
     
     
         26 . The fence assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said connector comprises: 
 a channel body, said channel body defined by a first side wall, a second side wall, a first end wall and a second end wall, said channel body having two faces, wherein said first side wall and said second side wall are substantially parallel and equal in length, wherein said first end wall and said second end wall are substantially parallel and equal in length, wherein said first end wall and said second end wall are of a length shorter than said first side wall and said second side wall;    a terminal wall, said terminal wall attached to said channel body at one of said faces of said channel body, said terminal wall having an outer surface and a peripheral edge, wherein said terminal wall is substantially perpendicular to said channel body and is of a size slightly larger than the perimeter of said channel body, thereby forming a ledge around said channel body; and    a connecting element affixed to said terminal wall.    
     
     
         27 . The fence assembly as defined in  claim 26 , wherein said connecting element comprises a second channel body affixed to said outer surface of said terminal wall, said second channel body is defined by a first side wall, a second side wall, a first end wall and a second end wall, wherein said first side wall and said second side wall of said second channel body are substantially parallel and equal in length, wherein said first end wall and said second end wall of said second channel body are substantially parallel and equal in length, and wherein said first end wall and said second end wall of said second channel body are of a length shorter than said first side wall and said second side wall of said second channel body.  
     
     
         28 . The fence assembly as defined in  claim 27 , wherein said first channel body and said second channel body are substantially similar in size and shape.  
     
     
         29 . The fence assembly as defined in  claim 26 , wherein said connecting element comprises: 
 a second channel body, said second channel body defined by a first side wall, a second side wall, a first end wall and a second end wall, said second channel body having two faces, wherein said first side wall and said second side wall of said second channel body are substantially parallel and equal in length, wherein said first end wall and said second end wall of said second channel body are substantially parallel and equal in length, wherein said first end wall and said second end wall of said second channel body are of a length shorter than said first side wall and said second side wall of said second channel body;    a second terminal wall, said second terminal wall attached to said second channel body at one of said faces of said second channel body, said second terminal wall having an outer surface and a peripheral edge, wherein said second terminal wall is substantially perpendicular to said second channel body and is of a size slightly larger than the perimeter of said second channel body, thereby forming a ledge around said second channel body; and    a flexible joining member, wherein said flexible joining member affixes said second peripheral edge of said second terminal wall to said first peripheral edge of said first terminal wall, thereby forming a living hinge.    
     
     
         30 . The fence assembly as defined in  claim 29 , wherein said first channel body and said second channel body are substantially similar in size and shape and wherein said first terminal wall and said second terminal wall are substantially similar in size and shape.  
     
     
         31 . The fence assembly as defined in  claim 26 , said connector further comprising: 
 a second channel body, said second channel body defined by a first side wall, a second side wall, a first end wall and a second end wall, said second channel body having two faces;    a second terminal wall, said second terminal wall attached to said second channel body at one of said faces of said second channel body, said second terminal wall having an outer surface and a peripheral edge; and    a second connecting element affixed to said second terminal wall;    wherein said connecting element and said second connecting element are interconnected to secure said fence segments together.    
     
     
         32 . The fence assembly as defined in  claim 31 , wherein said channel body and said second channel body are substantially similar in size and shape, and wherein said terminal wall and said second terminal wall are substantially similar in size and shape.  
     
     
         33 . The fence assembly as defined in  claim 31 , wherein said connecting element is comprised of a female connecting element and said second connecting element is comprised of a male connecting element; 
 said female connecting element having an arm, said arm having a free end and an aperture near said free end; and    said male connecting element having an arm, said arm having a free end and a surface, said arm having at least one projection affixed to and extending from said surface of said arm near said free end of said arm.    
     
     
         34 . The fence assembly as defined in  claim 33 , wherein said circular array of projection has a free end and a lip.  
     
     
         35 . The fence assembly as defined in  claim 34 , wherein said lip is substantially parallel to said free end of said projection.  
     
     
         36 . The fence assembly as defined in  claim 33 , wherein said projection is in a circular array of similar projections comprised of four curved projections.  
     
     
         37 . The fence assembly as defined in  claim 33 , wherein said female connecting element is attached to said outer surface of said terminal wall below a midpoint of said terminal wall.  
     
     
         38 . The fence assembly as defined in  claim 33 , wherein said male connecting element is attached to said outer surface of said terminal wall above a midpoint of said terminal wall.  
     
     
         39 . The fence assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said connector comprises: 
 a base member;    a channel body having two faces, said channel body defined by a first side wall, a second side wall, a first end wall and a second end wall;    a terminal wall, said terminal wall attached to said channel body at one of said faces of said channel body, said terminal wall having an outer surface and a peripheral edge; and    a flexible joining member, wherein said flexible joining member affixes said peripheral edge of said terminal wall to said base member, thereby forming a living hinge.    
     
     
         40 . The fence assembly as defined in  claim 39 , wherein said first side wall and said second side wall are substantially parallel and equal in length.  
     
     
         41 . The fence assembly as defined in  claim 39 , wherein said first end wall and said second end wall are substantially parallel and equal in length.  
     
     
         42 . The fence assembly as defined in  claim 39 , wherein said first end wall and said second end wall are of a length shorter than said first side wall and said second side wall.  
     
     
         43 . The fence assembly as defined in  claim 39 , wherein said terminal wall is substantially perpendicular to said channel body and is of a size slightly larger than the perimeter of said channel body, thereby forming a ledge around said channel body.  
     
     
         44 . The fence assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said connector comprises: 
 a base member;    a channel body having two faces, said channel body defined by a first side wall, a second side wall, a first end wall and a second end wall, wherein said first side wall and said second side wall are substantially parallel and equal in length, wherein said first end wall and said second end wall are substantially parallel and equal in length and wherein said first end wall and said second end wall are of a length shorter than said first side wall and said second side wall;    a terminal wall, said terminal wall attached to said channel body at one of said faces of said channel body, wherein said terminal wall is substantially perpendicular to said channel body and is of a size slightly larger than the perimeter of said channel body, thereby forming a ledge around said channel body, said terminal wall having an outer surface and a peripheral edge; and    a flexible joining member, wherein said flexible joining member affixes said peripheral edge of said terminal wall to said base member, thereby forming a living hinge.    
     
     
         45 . The fence assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said connector comprises: 
 a pair of base members;    a female connecting element, said female connecting element attached to one of said base members; and    a male connecting element, said male connecting element attached to another of said base members;    said female connecting element having an arm, said arm having a free end and an aperture near said free end,    said male connecting element having an arm, said arm having a free end and a surface, said arm having at least one projection affixed to and extending from said surface of said arm near said free end.    
     
     
         46 . The fence assembly as defined in  claim 45 , wherein said projection has a free end and a lip.  
     
     
         47 . The fence assembly as defined in  claim 46 , wherein said lip is substantially parallel to said free end of said projection.  
     
     
         48 . The fence assembly as defined in  claim 45 , wherein said projection is in a circular array of similar projections comprised of four curved projections.  
     
     
         49 . A connector for attaching fence segments together, comprising: 
 a body member, said body member adapted to be secured in a first fence segment;    a terminal wall, said terminal wall attached to said body member; and    a connecting element, said connecting element attached to said terminal wall.    
     
     
         50 . The connector as defined in  claim 49 , wherein said connecting element is comprised of a second body member, said second body member adapted to be secured to a second fence segment.  
     
     
         51 . The connector as defined in  claim 49 , wherein said connecting element comprises: 
 a second body member adapted to be secured to a second fence segment;    a second terminal wall, said second terminal wall attached to said second body member; and    a flexible joining member, wherein said flexible joining member affixes said second terminal wall to said first terminal wall, thereby forming a living hinge.    
     
     
         52 . The connector as defined in  claim 49 , further comprising: 
 a second body member, said second body member adapted to be secured in a second fence segment;    a second terminal wall, said terminal wall attached to said second body member; and    a second connecting element, said second connecting element attached to said second terminal wall;    wherein said connecting element is comprised of a female connecting element and said second connecting element is comprised of a male connecting element,    said female connecting element having an arm, said arm having a free end and an aperture near said free end,    said male connecting element having an arm, said arm having a free end and a surface, said arm having at least one projection affixed to and extending from said surface of said arm near said free end, said projection having a free end and a lip parallel to said free end of said projection.    
     
     
         53 . The connector as defined in  claim 52 , wherein said projection is in a circular array of similar projections comprised of four curved projections.  
     
     
         54 . A method of connecting fence segments together comprising: 
 inserting a ground stake into the ground;    placing a hollow picket post of a fence segment over said ground stake, thereby securing said fence segment in a vertical position;    inserting a connector into an end of a hollow channel rail of said fence segment, wherein said connector and said hollow channel rail form a friction fit connection; and    attaching a hollow channel rail of a second fence segment to said connector, wherein said connector and said hollow channel rail on said second fence segment form a frictional fit connection.    
     
     
         55 . The method as defined in  claim 54 , wherein said at least one connector is inserted into said end of said hollow channel rail until a ledge around said connector comes in contact with said end of said hollow channel rail.