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 fence section, comprising:
 a horizontal rail comprising a longitudinally-extending recess defined between a first recess side wall and a second recess side wall;   a vertical member, comprising;
 a first end wall, defined at a first end of the vertical member; 
 a second end wall, defined at a second end of the vertical member that is opposite the first end; 
 a side wall, extending between the first end wall and the second end wall; 
 a recessed channel is defined on the side wall; 
   wherein:
 the vertical member is connected to the horizontal rail by a connection system; 
 the connection system includes a connecting structure; 
 the first recess side wall includes a first counterpart of the connecting structure, and the side wall of the vertical member includes a second counterpart of the connecting structure; 
 the connection of the vertical member to the horizontal rail is effected by an interaction between the first counterpart of the connecting structure and the second counterpart of the connecting structure; 
 the vertical member is received in the recess of the horizontal rail; 
 at least a portion of the channel is disposed within the recess; and 
 the first counterpart of the connecting structure is received in the channel, such that ingress of debris into the recess, via the channel, is opposed by the first counterpart of the connecting structure. 
   
     
     
         2 . The fence section of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the defining of the channel on the side wall is such that a first raised vertical member portion and a second raised vertical member portion are defined, wherein the channel is defined between the first raised vertical member portion and the second raised vertical member portion.   
     
     
         3 . The fence section of  claim 2 , wherein:
 a first portion of the second upper counterpart of the first upper connecting structure is defined on the first raised vertical member portion, and a second portion of the second upper counterpart of the first upper connecting structure is defined on the second raised vertical member portion.   
     
     
         4 . The fence section of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the side wall defines a channel base of the recessed channel, the first raised vertical member portion includes a first portion of the side wall, the second raised vertical member portion includes a second portion of the side wall, the channel base is recessed relative to the first portion of the side wall, and the channel base is recessed relative to the second portion of the side wall; and   the first counterpart of the connecting structure is disposed in abutting engagement with the channel base.   
     
     
         5 . The fence section of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the side wall is a first side wall;   the recessed channel is a first recessed channel;   the connecting structure is a first connecting structure, and   the interaction is a first interaction;   the vertical member further comprises a second side wall extending between the first end wall and the second end wall, the second side wall spaced apart from the first side wall and defining a second recessed channel;   the connection system further includes a second connecting structure;   the second recess side wall includes a first counterpart of the second upper connecting structure, and the second side wall of the vertical member includes a second counterpart of the second connecting structure;   the connection of the vertical member to the horizontal rail is further effected by a second interaction between the first counterpart of the second connecting structure and the second counterpart of the second connecting structure;   at least a portion of the second channel is disposed within the second recess; and   the first counterpart of the second connecting structure is received in the second channel, such that ingress of debris into the second recess, via the second channel, is opposed by the first counterpart of the second connecting structure.   
     
     
         6 . A fence section, comprising:
 a horizontal rail comprising a longitudinally-extending recess defined between a first recess side wall and a second recess side wall;   a first vertical member; and   a second vertical member;   wherein:   the first and second vertical members are co-operatively configured such that:
 the first and second vertical members are connected at a joint, such that the first and second vertical members are disposed in a side-by-side relationship; and 
 a recessed channel is defined at the joint; 
   the first and second vertical members are connected to the horizontal rail by a connection system;   the connection system includes a connecting structure;   the first recess side wall includes a first counterpart of the connecting structure, the first vertical member includes a first portion of a second counterpart of the connecting structure, and the second vertical member includes a second portion of the second counterpart of the connecting structure;   the connection of the first and second vertical members to the horizontal rail is effected by an interaction between the first counterpart of the connecting structure and the first and second portions of the second counterpart of the connecting structure;   the first and second vertical members are received in the recess of the horizontal rail;   at least a portion of the channel is disposed within the recess; and   the first counterpart of the connecting structure is received in the channel, such that ingress of debris into the recess, via the channel, is opposed by the first counterpart of the connecting structure.   
     
     
         7 . The fence section of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the defining of the channel is such that a first raised vertical member portion is defined by the first vertical member and a second raised vertical member portion is defined by the second vertical member, wherein the channel is defined between the first raised vertical member portion and the second raised vertical member portion.   
     
     
         8 . The fence section of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the first portion of the second upper counterpart of the first upper connecting structure is defined on the first raised vertical member portion, and the second portion of the second upper counterpart of the first upper connecting structure is defined on the second raised vertical member portion.   
     
     
         9 . The fence section of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the first and second vertical members are co-operatively configured such that a channel base of the recessed channel is defined at the joint, the first raised vertical member portion includes a first side wall, the second raised vertical member portion includes a second side wall, the channel base is recessed relative to the first side wall, and the channel base is recessed relative to the second side wall; and   the first counterpart of the connecting structure is disposed in abutting engagement with the channel base.   
     
     
         10 . The fence section of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the recessed channel is a first recessed channel;   the connecting structure is a first connecting structure; and   the interaction is a first interaction;   the first and second vertical members are co-operatively configured such that a second recessed channel is defined at the joint, the second recessed channel spaced apart from the first recessed channel;   the connection system further includes a second connecting structure;   the second recess side wall includes a first counterpart of the second connecting structure, the first vertical member includes a first portion of a second counterpart of the second connecting structure, and the second vertical member includes a second portion of the second counterpart of the second connecting structure;   the connection of the first and second vertical members to the horizontal rail is further effected by a second interaction between the first counterpart of the second connecting structure and the first and second portions of the second counterpart of the second connecting structure;   at least a portion of the second channel is disposed within the second recess; and   the first counterpart of the second connecting structure is received in the second channel, such that ingress of debris into the second recess, via the second channel, is opposed by the first counterpart of the second connecting structure.   
     
     
         11 . A kit for fence section, comprising:
 a horizontal rail comprising a longitudinally-extending recess defined between a first recess side wall and a second recess side wall;   a vertical member, comprising;
 a first end wall, defined at a first end of the vertical member; 
 a second end wall, defined at a second end of the vertical member that is opposite the first end; 
 a side wall, extending between the first end wall and the second end wall; 
 a recessed channel is defined on the side wall; 
   wherein:
 the vertical member is connectible to the horizontal rail by a connection system; 
 the connection system includes a connecting structure; 
 the first recess side wall includes a first counterpart of the connecting structure, and the side wall of the vertical member includes a second counterpart of the connecting structure; 
 the connection of the vertical member to the horizontal rail is effectible by an interaction between the first counterpart of the connecting structure and the second counterpart of the connecting structure; and 
 while the vertical member and the horizontal rail are connected:
 the vertical member is received in the recess of the horizontal rail; 
 a portion of the channel is disposed within the recess; and 
 the first counterpart of the connecting structure is received in the channel, such that ingress of debris into the recess, via the channel, is opposed by the first counterpart of the connecting structure. 
 
   
     
     
         12 . The kit of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the defining of the channel on the side wall is such that a first raised vertical member portion and a second raised vertical member portion are defined, wherein the channel is defined between the first raised vertical member portion and the second raised vertical member portion.   
     
     
         13 . The kit of  claim 12 , wherein:
 a first portion of the second upper counterpart of the first upper connecting structure is defined on the first raised vertical member portion, and a second portion of the second upper counterpart of the first upper connecting structure is defined on the second raised vertical member portion.   
     
     
         14 . The kit of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the side wall defines a channel base of the recessed channel, the first raised vertical member portion includes a first portion of the side wall, the second raised vertical member portion includes a second portion of the side wall, the channel base is recessed relative to the first portion of the side wall, and the channel base is recessed relative to the second portion of the side wall; and   while the vertical member and the horizontal rail are connected, the first counterpart of the connecting structure is disposed in abutting engagement with the channel base.   
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the side wall is a first side wall;   the recessed channel is a first recessed channel;   the connecting structure is a first connecting structure; and   the interaction is a first interaction;   the vertical member further comprises a second side wall extending between the first end wall and the second end wall, the second side wall spaced apart from the first side wall and defining a second recessed channel;   the connection system further includes a second connecting structure;   the second recess side wall includes a first counterpart of the second upper connecting structure, and the second side wall of the vertical member includes a second counterpart of the second connecting structure;   the connection of the vertical member to the horizontal rail is further effectible by a second interaction between the first counterpart of the second connecting structure and the second counterpart of the second connecting structure; and   while the vertical member and the horizontal rail are connected:
 at last a portion of the second channel is disposed within the second recess; and 
 the first counterpart of the second connecting structure is received in the second channel, such that ingress of debris into the second recess, via the second channel, is opposed by the first counterpart of the second connecting structure. 
   
     
     
         16 . A kit for a fence section, comprising:
 a horizontal rail comprising a longitudinally-extending recess defined between a first recess side wall and a second recess side wall;   a first vertical member; and   a second vertical member;   wherein:
 the first and second vertical members are co-operatively configured such that: 
 the first and second vertical members are connectible at a joint, such that, while the first and second vertical members are connected at the joint:
 the first and second vertical members are disposed in a side-by-side relationship; and 
 a recessed channel is defined at the joint; 
 
 the first and second vertical members are connectible to the horizontal rail by a connection system; 
 the connection system includes a connecting structure; 
 the first recess side wall includes a first counterpart of the connecting structure, the first vertical member includes a first portion of a second counterpart of the connecting structure, and the second vertical member includes a second portion of the second counterpart of the connecting structure; 
 the connection of the first and second vertical members to the horizontal rail is effectible by an interaction between the first counterpart of the connecting structure and the first and second portions of the second counterpart of the connecting structure; 
 while the first and second vertical members are connected at the joint, and while the first and second vertical members and the horizontal rail are connected:
 the first and second vertical members are received in the recess of the horizontal rail; 
 at least a portion of the channel is disposed within the recess; and 
 the first counterpart of the connecting structure is received in the channel, such that ingress of debris into the recess, via the channel, is opposed by the first counterpart of the connecting structure. 
 
   
     
     
         17 . The kit of  claim 16 , wherein:
 while the first and second vertical members are connected at the joint, the defining of the channel is such that a first raised vertical member portion is defined by the first vertical member and a second raised vertical member portion is defined by the second vertical member, wherein the channel is defined between the first raised vertical member portion and the second raised vertical member portion.   
     
     
         18 . The kit of  claim 17 , wherein:
 the first portion of the second upper counterpart of the first upper connecting structure is defined on the first raised vertical member portion, and the second portion of the second upper counterpart of the first upper connecting structure is defined on the second raised vertical member portion.   
     
     
         19 . The kit of  claim 17 , wherein:
 the first and second vertical members are co-operatively configured such that, while the first and second vertical members are connected at the joint, a channel base of the recessed channel is defined at the joint, the first raised vertical member portion includes a first side wall, the second raised vertical member portion includes a second side wall, the channel base is recessed relative to the first side wall, and the channel base is recessed relative to the second side wall; and   while the first and second vertical members are connected at the joint, and the first and second vertical members and the horizontal rail are connected, the first counterpart of the connecting structure is disposed in abutting engagement with the channel base.   
     
     
         20 . The kit of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the recessed channel is a first recessed channel;   the connecting structure is a first connecting structure; and   the interaction is a first interaction;   the first and second vertical members are co-operatively configured such that, while the first and second vertical members are connected at the joint, a second recessed channel is defined at the joint, the second recessed channel spaced apart from the first recessed channel;   the connection system further includes a second connecting structure;   the second recess side wall includes a first counterpart of the second connecting structure, the first vertical member includes a first portion of a second counterpart of the second connecting structure, and the second vertical member includes a second portion of the second counterpart of the second connecting structure;   the connection of the first and second vertical members to the horizontal rail is further effectible by a second interaction between the first counterpart of the second connecting structure and the first and second portions of the second counterpart of the second connecting structure; and   while the first and second vertical members are connected at the joint, and while the first and second vertical members and the horizontal rail are connected:
 a portion of the second channel is disposed within the second recess; and 
 the first counterpart of the second connecting structure is received in the second channel, such that ingress of debris into the second recess, via the second channel, is opposed by the first counterpart of the second connecting structure.