Fence System

Abstract

A fence section includes an upper horizontal rail, a lower horizontal rail, and vertical members. At least one of the vertical members is connected to the upper horizontal rail by an upper connection system and to the lower horizontal rail by a lower connection system.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A fence section, comprising:
 an upper horizontal rail, the upper horizontal rail comprising a longitudinally-extending upper recess defined between a first upper recess side wall and a second upper recess side wall;   a lower horizontal rail, the lower horizontal rail comprising a longitudinally-extending lower recess defined between a first lower recess side wall and a second lower recess side wall; and   a vertical member;   wherein:
 the vertical member is connected to the upper horizontal rail by an upper connection system and to the lower horizontal rail by a lower connection system; 
 the upper connection system includes a first upper connecting structure and a second upper connecting structure; and 
 the lower connection system includes a first lower connecting structure and a second lower connecting structure; 
 the first upper recess side wall includes a first upper counterpart of the first upper connecting structure, and the vertical member includes a second upper counterpart of the first upper connecting structure; 
 the second upper recess side wall includes a first upper counterpart of the second upper connecting structure, and the vertical member includes a second upper counterpart of the second upper connecting structure; 
 the first lower recess side wall includes a first lower counterpart of the first lower connecting structure, and the vertical member includes a second lower counterpart of the first lower connecting structure; 
 the second lower recess side wall includes a first lower counterpart of the second lower connecting structure, and the vertical member includes a second lower counterpart of the second lower connecting structure; 
 and 
 for the upper connection system, the connection of the vertical member to the upper horizontal rail is effected by:
 (i) a first upper interaction between the first upper counterpart of the first upper connecting structure and the second upper counterpart of the first upper connecting structure, and 
 (ii) a second upper interaction between the first upper counterpart of the second upper connecting structure and the second upper counterpart of the second upper connecting structure; 
 
 for the lower connection system, the connection of the vertical member to the lower horizontal rail is effected by:
 (i) a first lower interaction between the first lower counterpart of the first lower connecting structure and the second lower counterpart of the first lower connecting structure, and 
 (ii) a second lower interaction between the first lower counterpart of the second lower connecting structure and the second lower counterpart of the second lower connecting structure; 
 
 the vertical member is received in the upper recess of the upper horizontal rail and is received in the lower recess of the lower horizontal rail; 
 the vertical member and the upper horizontal rail are co-operatively configured such that establishing of the connection by the upper connection system is effected by:
 aligning the first upper counterpart of the first upper connecting structure and the second upper counterpart of the first upper connecting structure along an alignment axis that is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the upper horizontal rail; 
 aligning the first upper counterpart of the second upper connecting structure and the second upper counterpart of the second upper connecting structure along an alignment axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the upper horizontal rail; and 
 displacing one of the vertical member and the upper horizontal rail relative to the other one of the vertical member and the upper horizontal rail along a displacement axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the upper horizontal rail; 
 
 the vertical member and the lower horizontal rail are co-operatively configured such that establishing of the connection by the lower connection system is effected by:
 aligning the first lower counterpart of the first lower connecting structure and the second lower counterpart of the first lower connecting structure along an alignment axis that is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the lower horizontal rail; 
 aligning the first lower counterpart of the second lower connecting structure and the second lower counterpart of the second lower connecting structure along an alignment axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the lower horizontal rail; and 
 displacing one of the vertical member and the lower horizontal rail relative to the other one of the vertical member and the lower horizontal rail along a displacement axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the lower horizontal rail. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The fence section of  claim 1 , wherein each one of the upper and lower horizontal rails includes an extruded lineal of plastic material. 
     
     
         3 . The fence section of  claim 1 , wherein the connection of the vertical member to the upper horizontal rail is exclusively by the upper connection system, and the connection of the vertical member to the lower horizontal rail is exclusively by the lower connection system. 
     
     
         4 . The fence section of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first upper counterpart of the first upper connecting structure includes a first upper tongue;   the first upper counterpart of the second upper connecting structure includes a second upper tongue;   the first lower counterpart of the first lower connecting structure includes a first lower tongue;   the first lower counterpart of the second lower connecting structure includes a second lower tongue;   the second upper counterpart of the first upper connecting structure includes a first upper slot;   the second upper counterpart of the second upper connecting structure includes a second upper slot;   the second lower counterpart of the first lower connecting structure includes a first lower slot;   the second lower counterpart of the second lower connecting structure includes a second lower slot;   the first upper interaction includes an extension of the first upper tongue into the first upper slot;   the second upper interaction includes an extension of the second upper tongue into the second upper slot;   the first lower interaction includes an extension of the first lower tongue into the first lower slot; and   the second lower interaction includes an extension of the second lower tongue into the second lower slot.   
     
     
         5 . The fence section of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the upper horizontal rail comprises a first upper wall and a second upper wall, wherein:
 the first upper recess side wall extends from the first upper wall, and the first upper wall defines a first upper wall surface that faces in a direction towards the lower horizontal rail; and 
 the second upper recess side wall extends from the second upper wall, and the second upper wall defines a second upper wall surface that faces in a direction towards the lower horizontal rail; 
   the lower horizontal rail comprises a first lower wall and a second lower wall, wherein:
 the first lower recess side wall extends from the first lower wall, and the first lower wall defines a first lower wall surface that faces in a direction towards the upper horizontal rail; and 
 the second lower recess side wall extends from the second lower wall, and the second lower wall defines a second lower wall surface that faces in a direction towards the upper horizontal rail; 
   the first upper counterpart of the first upper connecting structure is spaced apart from the first upper wall surface, such that a first upper intermediate wall surface is defined by the first upper recess side wall, the first upper intermediate wall surface extending between the first upper wall surface and the first upper counterpart of the first upper connecting structure;   the first upper counterpart of the second upper connecting structure is spaced apart from the second upper wall surface, such that a second upper intermediate wall surface is defined by the second upper recess side wall, the second upper intermediate wall surface extending between the second upper wall surface and the first upper counterpart of the second upper connecting structure;   the first lower counterpart of the first lower connecting structure is spaced apart from the first lower wall surface, such that a first lower intermediate wall surface is defined by the first lower recess side wall, the first lower intermediate wall surface extending between the first lower wall surface and the first lower counterpart of the first lower connecting structure; and   the first lower counterpart of the second lower connecting structure is spaced apart from the second lower wall surface, such that a second lower intermediate wall surface is defined by the second lower recess side wall, the second lower intermediate wall surface extending between the second lower wall surface and the first lower counterpart of the second lower connecting structure.   
     
     
         6 . The fence section of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the vertical member and the upper horizontal rail are co-operatively configured such that:
 the first upper intermediate wall surface is disposed opposite the vertical member, such that displacement of the vertical member, relative to the upper horizontal rail, in a direction towards the first upper recess side wall, is opposed by the first upper intermediate wall surface; and 
 the second upper intermediate wall surface is disposed opposite the vertical member, such that displacement of the vertical member, relative to the upper horizontal rail, in a direction towards the second upper recess side wall, is opposed by the second upper intermediate wall surface; 
   the vertical member and the lower horizontal rail are co-operatively configured such that:
 the first lower intermediate wall surface is disposed opposite the vertical member, such that displacement of the vertical member, relative to the lower horizontal rail, in a direction towards the first lower recess side wall, is opposed by the first lower intermediate wall surface; and 
 the second lower intermediate wall surface is disposed opposite the vertical member, such that displacement of the vertical member, relative to the lower horizontal rail, in a direction towards the second lower recess side wall, is opposed by the second lower intermediate wall surface. 
   
     
     
         7 . The fence section of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the vertical member and the upper horizontal rail are co-operatively configured such that:
 the first upper intermediate wall surface conceals at least a portion of the second upper counterpart of the first upper connecting structure, such that the at least a portion of second upper counterpart of the first upper connecting structure is occluded from view from a line of sight extending upwardly from a point that is facing the at least a portion of second upper counterpart of the first upper connecting structure; and 
 the second upper intermediate wall surface conceals at least a portion of the second upper counterpart of the second upper connecting structure, such that the at least a portion of second upper counterpart of the second upper connecting structure is occluded from view from a line of sight extending upwardly from a point that is facing the at least a portion of second upper counterpart of the second upper connecting structure; 
   the vertical member and the lower horizontal rail are co-operatively configured such that:
 the first lower intermediate wall surface conceals at least a portion of the second lower counterpart of the first lower connecting structure, such that the at least a portion of second lower counterpart of the first lower connecting structure is occluded from view from a line of sight extending downwardly from a point that is facing the at least a portion of second lower counterpart of the first lower connecting structure; and 
 the second lower intermediate wall surface conceals at least a portion of the second lower counterpart of the second lower connecting structure, such that the at least a portion of second lower counterpart of the second lower connecting structure is occluded from view from a line of sight extending downwardly from a point that is facing the at least a portion of second lower counterpart of the second lower connecting structure. 
   
     
     
         8 . A fence section, comprising:
 two horizontal rails, wherein each one of the two horizontal rails comprises a longitudinally-extending recess defined between a first recess side wall and a second recess side wall; and   a vertical member;   wherein:
 the two horizontal rails and the vertical member are co-operatively configured such that:
 the vertical member is connected to each one of the two horizontal rails by a respective connection system such that two connection systems are provided; 
 
 each one of the two connection system includes a first connecting structure and a second connecting structure; 
 the first connecting structure includes a first counterpart that is connected to a second counterpart, wherein the first counterpart of the first connecting structure is defined by the first recess side wall and the second counterpart of the first connecting structure is defined by the vertical member; 
 the second connecting structure includes a first counterpart that is connected to a second counterpart, wherein the first counterpart of the second connecting structure is defined by the second recess side wall and the second counterpart of the second connecting structure is defined by the vertical member; and 
 the connection of the first counterpart of the first connecting structure to the second counterpart of the first connecting structure is established by a first interaction between the first counterpart of the first connecting structure and the second counterpart of the first connecting structure, and the connection of the first counterpart of the second connecting structure to the second counterpart of the second connecting structure is established by a second interaction between the first counterpart of the second connecting structure and the second counterpart of the second connecting structure; 
 for each one of the two horizontal rails, the connection with the vertical member is effected by:
 aligning the first counterpart of the first connecting structure and the second counterpart of the first connecting structure along an alignment axis that is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the horizontal rail; 
 aligning the first counterpart of the second connecting structure and the second counterpart of the second connecting structure along an alignment axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the horizontal rail; and 
 displacing one of the vertical member and the horizontal rail relative to the other one of the vertical member and the horizontal rail along a displacement axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the horizontal rail. 
 
   
     
     
         9 . The fence section of  claim 8 , wherein the connection of the vertical member to each one of the two horizontal rails is exclusively by the respective connection system. 
     
     
         10 . The fence section of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the first counterpart of the first connecting structure includes a first tongue;   the first counterpart of the second connecting structure includes a second tongue;   the second counterpart of the first connecting structure includes a first slot;   the second counterpart of the second connecting structure includes a second slot;   the first interaction includes an extension of the first tongue of the first connecting structure into the first slot; and   the second interaction includes an extension of the first tongue of the second connecting structure into the second slot.   
     
     
         11 . The fence section of  claim 8 , wherein:
 each one of the two horizontal rails comprises a first wall and a second wall,   wherein:
 the first recess side wall extends from the first wall, and the first wall defines a first wall surface that faces in a direction towards the other one of the two horizontal rails; and 
 the second recess side wall extends from the second wall, and the second wall defines a second wall surface that faces in a direction towards the other one of the two horizontal rails; 
   the first counterpart of the first connecting structure is spaced apart from the first wall surface, such that a first intermediate wall surface is defined by the first recess side wall, the first intermediate wall surface extending between the first wall surface and the first counterpart of the first connecting structure; and   the first counterpart of the second connecting structure is spaced apart from the second wall surface, such that a second intermediate wall surface is defined by the second recess side wall, the second intermediate wall surface extending between the second wall surface and the first counterpart of the second connecting structure.   
     
     
         12 . The fence section of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the two horizontal rails and the vertical member are co-operatively configured such that, for each one of the two horizontal rails:
 the first intermediate wall surface is disposed opposite the vertical member, such that displacement of the vertical member, relative to the horizontal rail, in a direction towards the first recess side wall, is opposed by the first intermediate wall surface; and 
 the second intermediate wall surface is disposed opposite the vertical member, such that displacement of the vertical member, relative to the horizontal rail, in a direction towards the second recess side wall, is opposed by the second intermediate wall surface. 
   
     
     
         13 . The fence section of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the two horizontal rails and the vertical member are co-operatively configured such that, for each one of the two horizontal rails:
 the first intermediate wall surface conceals at least a portion of the second counterpart of the first connecting structure, such that the at least a portion of second counterpart of the first connecting structure is occluded from view from a line of sight extending from a point that is facing the at least a portion of second counterpart of the first connecting structure; and 
 the second intermediate wall surface conceals at least a portion of the second counterpart of the second connecting structure, such that the at least a portion of second counterpart of the second connecting structure is occluded from view from a line of sight extending from a point that is facing the at least a portion of second counterpart of the second connecting structure. 
   
     
     
         14 . A kit for a fence section, comprising:
 two horizontal rails, wherein each one of the two horizontal rails comprises a longitudinally-extending recess defined between a first recess side wall and a second recess side wall; and   a vertical member;   wherein:
 the two horizontal rails and the vertical member are co-operatively configured such that:
 the vertical member is connectible to each one of the two horizontal rails by a respective connection system such that two connection systems are provided; 
 
 each one of the two connection system includes a first connecting structure and a second connecting structure; 
 the first connecting structure includes a first counterpart that is connectible to a second counterpart, wherein the first counterpart of the first connecting structure is defined by the first recess side wall and the second counterpart of the first connecting structure is defined by the vertical member; 
 the second connecting structure includes a first counterpart that is connectible to a second counterpart, wherein the first counterpart of the second connecting structure is defined by the second recess side wall and the second counterpart of the second connecting structure is defined by the vertical member; and 
 the connection of the first counterpart of the first connecting structure to the second counterpart of the first connecting structure is establishable by a first interaction between the first counterpart of the first connecting structure and the second counterpart of the first connecting structure, and the connection of the first counterpart of the second connecting structure to the second counterpart of the second connecting structure is establishable by a second interaction between the first counterpart of the second connecting structure and the second counterpart of the second connecting structure; 
 for each one of the two horizontal rails, the connection with the vertical member is effectible by:
 aligning the first counterpart of the first connecting structure and the second counterpart of the first connecting structure along an alignment axis that is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the horizontal rail; 
 aligning the first counterpart of the second connecting structure and the second counterpart of the second connecting structure along an alignment axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the horizontal rail; and 
 displacing one of the vertical member and the horizontal rail relative to the other one of the vertical member and the horizontal rail along a displacement axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the horizontal rail. 
 
   
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 14 , wherein each one of the two horizontal rails includes an extruded lineal of plastic material. 
     
     
         16 . The kit of  claim 14 , wherein the connection of the vertical member to each one of the two horizontal rails is exclusively by the respective connection system. 
     
     
         17 . The kit of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the first counterpart of the first connecting structure includes a first tongue;   the first counterpart of the second connecting structure includes a second tongue;   the second counterpart of the first connecting structure includes a first slot;   the second counterpart of the second connecting structure includes a second slot;   the first interaction includes an extension of the first tongue of the first connecting structure into the first slot; and   the second interaction includes an extension of the first tongue of the second connecting structure into the second slot.   
     
     
         18 . The kit of  claim 14 , wherein:
 each one of the two horizontal rails comprises a first wall and a second wall,   wherein:
 the first recess side wall extends from the first wall, and the first wall defines a first wall surface; and 
 the second recess side wall extends from the second wall, and the second wall defines a second wall surface; and 
 while the vertical member is connected to each one of the two horizontal rails, the first wall surface faces in a direction towards the other one of the two horizontal rails, and the second wall surface that faces in a direction towards the other one of the two horizontal rails; 
   the first counterpart of the first connecting structure is spaced apart from the first wall surface, such that a first intermediate wall surface is defined by the first recess side wall, the first intermediate wall surface extending between the first wall surface and the first counterpart of the first connecting structure; and   the first counterpart of the second connecting structure is spaced apart from the second wall surface, such that a second intermediate wall surface is defined by the second recess side wall, the second intermediate wall surface extending between the second wall surface and the first counterpart of the second connecting structure.   
     
     
         19 . The kit of  claim 18 , wherein:
 the two horizontal rails and the vertical member are co-operatively configured such that, for each one of the two horizontal rails, while the vertical member is connected to the horizontal rail:
 the first intermediate wall surface is disposed opposite the vertical member, such that displacement of the vertical member, relative to the horizontal rail, in a direction towards the first recess side wall, is opposed by the first intermediate wall surface; and 
 the second intermediate wall surface is disposed opposite the vertical member, such that displacement of the vertical member, relative to the horizontal rail, in a direction towards the second recess side wall, is opposed by the second intermediate wall surface. 
   
     
     
         20 . The kit of  claim 18 , wherein:
 the two horizontal rails and the vertical member are co-operatively configured such that, for each one of the two horizontal rails, while the vertical member is connected to the horizontal rail:
 the first intermediate wall surface conceals at least a portion of the second counterpart of the first connecting structure, such that the at least a portion of second counterpart of the first connecting structure is occluded from view from a line of sight extending from a point that is facing the at least a portion of second counterpart of the first connecting structure; and 
 the second intermediate wall surface conceals at least a portion of the second counterpart of the second connecting structure, such that the at least a portion of second counterpart of the second connecting structure is occluded from view from a line of sight extending from a point that is facing the at least a portion of second counterpart of the second connecting structure.