Fencing system

Abstract

A fencing system includes fence rails having at least one opening therein, and fencing pickets configured to be received by the at least one opening in each of the fence rails. A fence having the same general vertical appearance from opposite sides can be formed by passing the pickets into the at least one opening on each one of the rails.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fencing system comprising:
 a plurality of pickets having an outer profile; and   a plurality of rails, each of the plurality of rails having a series of spaced openings therein with a shape sized to receive the outer profile of at least one of the plurality of pickets;   wherein a fence having the same general vertical appearance from opposite sides, with the plurality of rails extending generally horizontally in a spaced vertical relationship, can be formed by passing the plurality of pickets into one of the spaced openings on each one of the plurality of rails.   
     
     
         2 . The fencing system of  claim 1  and further comprising a plurality of posts configured to be mounted into a ground surface with the plurality of rails installed therebetween. 
     
     
         3 . The fencing system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of pickets and rails are formed of wood. 
     
     
         4 . The fencing system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of pickets have a rectangular cross-section and a pointed top end. 
     
     
         5 . The fencing system of  claim 1 , wherein the series of spaced openings have a shape corresponding to the outer profile of the plurality of pickets. 
     
     
         6 . The fencing system of  claim 1 , wherein the series of spaced openings have an elongated shape relative to the outer profile of the plurality of pickets. 
     
     
         7 . The fencing system of  claim 1 , wherein the series of spaced openings in at least one of the plurality of rails extend through the at least one of the plurality of rails between opposite sides thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The fencing system of  claim 7 , wherein the series of spaced openings in at least one other of the plurality of rails extend into the at least one other of the plurality of rails from one side thereof and terminate therein. 
     
     
         9 . The fencing system of  claim 1 , wherein the series of spaced openings in the plurality of rails extend through each of the plurality of rails between opposite sides of the plurality of rails. 
     
     
         10 . The fencing system of  claim 1 , wherein the series of spaced openings in at least one of the plurality of rails extend into the at least one of the plurality of rails from one side thereof and terminate therein. 
     
     
         11 . The fencing system of  claim 1 , wherein the series of spaced openings in the plurality of rails are evenly spaced along the length of the rails. 
     
     
         12 . The fencing system of  claim 1 , wherein the series of spaced openings in the plurality of rails are disposed in the center of the rails. 
     
     
         13 . The fencing system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of rails are formed of wood and the series of spaced openings comprise slots routed into the wood rails. 
     
     
         14 . A fencing system comprising:
 a plurality of pickets; and   a plurality of rails, each of the plurality of rails having at least one opening therein, the at least one opening having a shape configured to receive at least one of the plurality of pickets;   wherein a fence having the same general vertical appearance from opposite sides, with the plurality of rails extending generally horizontally in a spaced vertical relationship, can be formed by passing the at least one of the plurality of pickets into the at least one opening on each one of the plurality of rails.   
     
     
         15 . The fencing system of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one opening in at least one of the plurality of rails comprises a single elongated opening sized to receive the plurality of pickets. 
     
     
         16 . The fencing system of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of pickets are positioned with the elongated opening in an abutting relationship to form a privacy fence. 
     
     
         17 . The fencing system of  claim 15 , wherein the elongated opening extends through the at least one of the plurality of rails between opposite sides thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The fencing system of  claim 15 , wherein the elongated opening rails extends into the at least one of the plurality of rails from one side thereof and terminates therein. 
     
     
         19 . The fencing system of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one opening in the plurality of rails is disposed in the center of the rails. 
     
     
         20 . The fencing system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of rails are formed of wood and the at least one opening comprises at least one slot routed into the wood rails.