Rackable gate kit

Abstract

Kits for assembling rackable gates are provided. The kits comprise a pair of gate uprights, each gate upright comprising a tubular elongate member and a bracket. The tubular elongate member comprises apertures configured to accept a fence panel rail therethrough and into an elongate channel situated on an interior surface therein and configured to securely receive an end of the fence panel rail such that lateral and torsional movement of said fence panel rail is restricted. The bracket comprises a pair of bracket arms attached to an exterior surface of the tubular elongate member, each situated directly opposite the other with an aperture situated therebetween and configured to accommodate a fastener for fastening a fence panel rail thereto. Also provided are methods for assembling gates from such kits and gates assembled from such kits and by such methods.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method of assembling a rackable gate including a fence panel having a plurality of elongate rails, the method comprising:
 providing at least one gate upright comprising a tubular elongate member having one or more first apertures,   providing a bracket proximal to at least one of the first apertures, the bracket comprising a base plate and a pair of bracket arms extending from the base plate;   inserting first ends of the plurality of elongate rails through corresponding first apertures of a first gate upright of the pair of gates uprights;   positioning at least one rail gripper between each of the pair of bracket arms of the first gate upright and the elongate rail situated therebetween;   orienting the fence panel at a selected racking angle; and   inserting a fastener through a second aperture of each bracket arm to secure the first gate upright to the fence panel at the selected racking angle.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the first apertures are aligned along a length thereof. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the tubular elongate member of the pair of gate uprights further comprises an elongate channel situated on an interior surface directly opposite the first apertures. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein upon inserting first ends the first ends are securely received in the elongate channel of the first gate upright. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the positioning at least one rail gripper comprises positioning a first rail gripper and a second rail gripper. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising positioning the elongate rail of the fence panel between the first rail gripper and the second rail gripper. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising placing the first rail gripper and the second rail gripper on opposite sides of the elongate rail 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the first rail gripper and second rail gripper are between respective bracket arms and the elongate rail. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising installing a fastener through the elongate rail of the fence panel. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising inserting a U-channel block into at least one of the elongate rails located between the bracket arms and tightening the fastener 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the U-channel block is inserted into at least one of the elongate rails proximal to the at least one rail gripper. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 30 , with the U-channel block is configured to prevent deformation of the elongate rail during tightening of the fastener. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the U-channel block is inserted into an inverted U-channel of at least one of the elongate rails. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the selected racking angle is less than or equal to 10 degrees. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one rail gripper comprises at least one predrilled hole. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the positioning the at least one rail gripper aligns the at least one pre-drilled hole with a second aperture of the corresponding bracket arm. 
     
     
         37 . A rackable gate kit comprising:
 a fence panel having a plurality of elongate rails, each rail having a first end;   at least one gate upright comprising a tubular elongate member, the tubular elongate member having one or more first apertures sized to receive at least one first ends of the plurality of elongate rails;   a bracket disposed proximal to at least one of the first apertures, the bracket comprising a base plate and a pair of bracket arms extending from the base plate, each bracket arm including a second aperture;   at least one rail gripper positioned between the pair of bracket arms and an elongate rail situated between the pair of bracket arms; and   at least one fastener extending through the second aperture of each bracket arm and through the rail gripper to fixedly secure the elongate rail to the bracket,   wherein the elongate rails extend through the first apertures and into the tubular elongate member, and wherein the elongate rails and the at least one gate upright are oriented at a selected racking angle.