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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A kit for a fence section, comprising:
 an upper horizontal rail including a first longitudinally-extending wall extending lengthwise of the upper horizontal rail and laterally between first and second upper rail sidewalls that depend from the first longitudinally-extending wall and are spaced apart from one another to define an upper rail cavity, wherein the first longitudinally-extending wall includes an upper rail aperture, the upper rail aperture having an upper rail aperture length that is measured along an axis that is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the upper horizontal rail;   a lower horizontal rail, spaced vertically below the upper horizontal rail, including a second longitudinally-extending wall extending lengthwise of the lower horizontal rail and laterally between first and second lower rail sidewalls that depend from the first longitudinally-extending wall and are spaced apart from one another to define a lower rail cavity, wherein the second longitudinally-extending wall includes a lower rail aperture, the lower rail aperture having a lower rail aperture length that is measured along an axis that is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the lower horizontal rail; and   a vertical member;   wherein:
 the vertical member and the upper horizontal rail are connectable by an upper connection system, and the vertical member and the lower horizontal rail are connectable by a lower connection system; 
 the upper connection system includes a first upper connecting structure and a second upper connecting structure; 
 the lower connection system includes a first lower connecting structure and a second lower connecting structure; 
 the first upper rail sidewall includes a first upper counterpart of the first upper connecting structure, the first upper counterpart of the first upper connecting structure having a length that is measured along an axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the upper horizontal rail, and the vertical member includes a second upper counterpart of the first upper connecting structure; 
 the second upper rail sidewall includes a first upper counterpart of the second upper connecting structure, the first upper counterpart of the second upper connecting structure having a length that is measured along an axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the upper horizontal rail, and the vertical member includes a second upper counterpart of the second upper connecting structure; 
 the first lower rail sidewall includes a first lower counterpart of the first lower connecting structure, the first lower counterpart of the first lower connecting structure having a length that is measured along an axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the lower horizontal rail, and the vertical member includes a second lower counterpart of the first lower connecting structure; 
 the second lower rail sidewall includes a first lower counterpart of the second lower connecting structure, the first lower counterpart of the second lower connecting structure having a length that is measured along an axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the lower horizontal rail, 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 and the upper horizontal rail is effectible by:
 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 
 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 and the lower horizontal rail is effectible by:
 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 
 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 extendible through the upper horizontal rail via the upper rail aperture and the lower horizontal rail via the lower rail aperture; 
 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 in response to insertion of the vertical member through the upper horizontal rail via the upper rail aperture; 
 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 in response to insertion of the vertical member through the lower horizontal rail via the lower rail aperture; 
 the upper rail aperture length is greater than the length of the first upper counterpart of the first upper connecting structure, and also greater than the length of the first upper counterpart of the second upper connecting structure; and 
 the lower rail aperture length is greater than the length of the first lower counterpart of the first lower connecting structure, and also greater than the length of the first lower counterpart of the second lower connecting structure. 
   
     
     
         2 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first longitudinally-extending wall defines a first aperture end surface and a second aperture end surface that is longitudinally spaced apart from the first aperture end surface;   the upper rail aperture is defined between the first aperture end surface and the second aperture end surface of the first longitudinally-extending wall;   the upper rail aperture length is defined by a minimum spacing distance between the first aperture end surface and the second aperture end surface of the first longitudinally-extending wall;   the second longitudinally-extending wall defines a first aperture end surface and a second aperture end surface that is longitudinally spaced apart from the first aperture end surface;   the lower rail aperture is defined between the first aperture end surface and the second aperture end surface of the second longitudinally-extending wall; and   the lower rail aperture length is defined by a minimum spacing distance between the first aperture end surface and the second aperture end surface of the second longitudinally-extending wall.   
     
     
         3 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first upper counterpart of the first upper connecting structure defines a first end surface and a second end surface that is longitudinally spaced apart from the first end surface, and the length of the first upper counterpart of the first upper connecting structure is defined by a minimum spacing distance between the first end surface and the second end surface of the first upper counterpart of the first upper connecting structure;   the first upper counterpart of the second upper connecting structure defines a first end surface and a second end surface that is longitudinally spaced apart from the first end surface, and the length of the first upper counterpart of the second upper connecting structure is defined by a minimum spacing distance between the first end surface and the second end surface of the first upper counterpart of the second upper connecting structure;   the first lower counterpart of the first lower connecting structure defines a first end surface and a second end surface that is longitudinally spaced apart from the first end surface, and the length of the first lower counterpart of the first lower connecting structure is defined by a minimum spacing distance between the first end surface and the second end surface of the first upper counterpart of the first lower connecting structure; and   the first lower counterpart of the second lower connecting structure defines a first end surface and a second end surface that is longitudinally spaced apart from the first end surface, and the length of the first lower counterpart of the second lower connecting structure is defined by a minimum spacing distance between the first end surface and the second end surface of the first upper counterpart of the second lower connecting structure.   
     
     
         4 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first upper counterpart of the first upper connecting structure includes a barb;   the first upper counterpart of the second upper connecting structure includes a barb;   the first lower counterpart of the first lower connecting structure includes a barb; and   the first lower counterpart of the second lower connecting structure includes a barb.   
     
     
         5 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the second upper counterpart of the first upper connecting structure defines a first end surface and a second end surface that is spaced apart from the first end surface along an axis that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the vertical member, a length of the second upper counterpart of the first upper connecting structure is defined by a minimum spacing distance between the first end surface and the second end surface of the second upper counterpart of the first upper connecting structure;   the second upper counterpart of the second upper connecting structure defines a first end surface and a second end surface that is spaced apart from the first end surface along an axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vertical member, and the length of the second upper counterpart of the second upper connecting structure is defined by a minimum spacing distance between the first end surface and the second end surface of the second upper counterpart of the second upper connecting structure;   the upper rail aperture length is greater than the length of the second upper counterpart of the first upper connecting structure, and also greater than the length of the second upper counterpart of the second upper connecting structure;   the second lower counterpart of the first lower connecting structure defines a first end surface and a second end surface that is spaced apart from the first end surface along an axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vertical member, and the length of the second lower counterpart of the first lower connecting structure is defined by a minimum spacing distance between the first end surface and the second end surface of the second upper counterpart of the first lower connecting structure;   the second lower counterpart of the second lower connecting structure defines a first end surface and a second end surface that is spaced apart from the first end surface along an axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vertical member, and the length of the second lower counterpart of the second lower connecting structure is defined by a minimum spacing distance between the first end surface and the second end surface of the second upper counterpart of the second lower connecting structure; and   the lower rail aperture length is greater than the length of the second lower counterpart of the first lower connecting structure, and also greater than the length of the second lower counterpart of the second lower connecting structure.   
     
     
         6 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the second upper counterpart of the first upper connecting structure includes a slot;   the second upper counterpart of the second upper connecting structure includes a slot;   the second lower counterpart of the first lower connecting structure includes a slot; and   the second lower counterpart of the second lower connecting structure includes a slot.   
     
     
         7 . A fence section, comprising:
 a horizontal rail, including a longitudinally-extending wall extending lengthwise of the horizontal rail and a rail sidewall that depends from the longitudinally-extending wall, wherein the longitudinally-extending wall includes a rail aperture, the rail aperture having a rail aperture length that is measured along an axis that is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the horizontal rail; and   a vertical member;   wherein:
 the horizontal rail and the vertical member are co-operatively configured such that the vertical member is connected to the horizontal rail by a connecting structure; 
 the connecting structure includes a first counterpart that is connected to a second counterpart, wherein the first counterpart of the connecting structure is defined by the rail sidewall, the first counterpart of the connecting structure having a length that is measured along an axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the horizontal rail, and the second counterpart of the connecting structure is defined by the vertical member; 
 the connection of the first counterpart of the connecting structure to the second counterpart of the connecting structure is established by an interaction between the first counterpart of the connecting structure and the second counterpart of the connecting structure; 
 the connection between the horizontal rail and the vertical member is established in response to insertion of the vertical member through the horizontal rail via the rail aperture of the horizontal rail; and 
 the rail aperture length is greater than the length of the first counterpart of the connecting structure. 
   
     
     
         8 . The fence section of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the longitudinally-extending wall defines a first aperture end surface and a second aperture end surface that is longitudinally spaced apart from the first aperture end surface;   the rail aperture is defined between the first aperture end surface and the second aperture end surface; and   the rail aperture length is defined by a minimum spacing distance between the first aperture end surface and the second aperture end surface.   
     
     
         9 . The fence section of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the first counterpart of the connecting structure defines a first end surface and a second end surface that is longitudinally spaced apart from the first end surface, and the length of the first counterpart of the connecting structure is defined by a minimum spacing distance between the first end surface and the second end surface of the first counterpart of the connecting structure.   
     
     
         10 . The fence section of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the first counterpart of the connecting structure includes a barb.   
     
     
         11 . The fence section of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the second counterpart of the connecting structure defines a first end surface and a second end surface that is spaced apart from the first end surface along an axis that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the vertical member, and a length of the second counterpart of the connecting structure is defined by a minimum spacing distance between the first end surface and the second end surface of the second counterpart of the connecting structure; and   the rail aperture length is greater than the length of the second counterpart of the connecting structure.   
     
     
         12 . The fence section of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the second counterpart of the connecting structure includes a slot.   
     
     
         13 . The fence section of  claim 7 , wherein:
 a material of manufacture of the horizontal rail includes plastic material; and   a material of manufacture of the vertical member includes plastic material.   
     
     
         14 . A kit for assembling a fence section, comprising:
 a horizontal rail, including a longitudinally-extending wall extending lengthwise of the horizontal rail and a rail sidewall that depends from the longitudinally-extending wall, wherein the longitudinally-extending wall includes a rail aperture, the rail aperture having a rail aperture length that is measured along an axis that is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the horizontal rail; and   a vertical member;   wherein:
 the horizontal rail and the vertical member are co-operatively configured such that the vertical member and the horizontal rail are connectable by a connecting structure for assembling the fence section; 
 the connecting structure includes a first counterpart that is connectable to a second counterpart, wherein the first counterpart of the connecting structure is defined by the rail sidewall, the first counterpart of the connecting structure having a length that is measured along an axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the horizontal rail, and the second counterpart of the connecting structure is defined by the vertical member; 
 the connection of the first counterpart of the connecting structure to the second counterpart of the connecting structure is establishable by an interaction between the first counterpart of the connecting structure and the second counterpart of the connecting structure; 
 the connection between the horizontal rail and the vertical member is establishable in response to insertion of the vertical member through the horizontal rail via the rail aperture of the horizontal rail; and 
 the rail aperture length is greater than the length of the first counterpart of the connecting structure. 
   
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the longitudinally-extending wall defines a first aperture end surface and a second aperture end surface that is longitudinally spaced apart from the first aperture end surface;   the rail aperture is defined between the first aperture end surface and the second aperture end surface; and   the rail aperture length is defined by a minimum spacing distance between the first aperture end surface and the second aperture end surface.   
     
     
         16 . The kit of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the first counterpart of the connecting structure defines a first end surface and a second end surface that is longitudinally spaced apart from the first end surface, and the length of the first counterpart of the connecting structure is defined by a minimum spacing distance between the first end surface and the second end surface of the first counterpart of the connecting structure.   
     
     
         17 . The kit of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the first counterpart of the connecting structure includes a barb.   
     
     
         18 . The kit of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the second counterpart of the connecting structure defines a first end surface and a second end surface that is spaced apart from the first end surface along an axis that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the vertical member, and a length of the second counterpart of the connecting structure is defined by a minimum spacing distance between the first end surface and the second end surface of the second counterpart of the connecting structure; and   the rail aperture length is greater than the length of the second counterpart of the connecting structure.   
     
     
         19 . The kit of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the second counterpart of the connecting structure includes a slot.   
     
     
         20 . The kit of  claim 14 , wherein:
 a material of manufacture of the horizontal rail includes plastic material; and   a material of manufacture of the vertical member includes plastic material.