A high security palisade fence is formed from a plurality of vertical posts, each of which is characterized by a pair of flange sections which are joined by an intermediate flat web section having a double-walled structure. One or more cable passageways are formed in each post. Each adjacent pair of posts is interconnected by a plurality of parallel rails. Each rail is formed with an internal tray, within which a strengthening cable may extend. Vertical pickets are attached to the rails. The pickets are preferably characterized by a W-shaped profile, and preferably include longitudinal strengthening ribs. Each picket has a flat attachment surface in which a plurality of subsurface recesses are formed.
1. A fence comprising:
a plurality of rails, each rail having two lateral edge portions and comprising:
an upper section which includes one of the edge portions;
a lower section which includes the other edge portion, comprising:
a flat side wall providing an attachment surface;
a first lip disposed in spaced and parallel relationship to the side wall; and
a base which connects the first lip and the side wall;
in which the side wall, first lip and base cooperate to define a tray within which a cable may extend;
a plurality of vertically disposed posts in which the posts are characterized by at least one cable passageway extending therethrough, the cable passageway sized to receive a strengthening cable; and
a plurality of vertically disposed pickets;
in which at least two rails are disposed in vertically spaced relationship between each adjacent pair of posts, and with each rail supported by its opposite ends by an adjacent pair of posts, and with each picket supported by at least a vertically spaced pair of rails.
2. The fence of claim 1 in which a subset of the plural rails are disposed in end-to-end alignment, and further comprising:
a cable extending within the internal trays of laterally adjacent rails.
3. The fence of claim 2 in which the posts supporting the subset of rails are characterized by a cable passageway extending therethrough, and in which the cable extends through the cable passageway of at least one supporting post.
4. The fence of claim 1 in which the area of contact between the picket and a rail is situated within a single plane.
5. A fence kit comprising:
a plurality of rails, each rail having two lateral edge portions and comprising:
an upper section which includes one of the edge portions;
a lower section which includes the other edge portion, comprising:
a flat side wall providing an attachment surface;
a first lip disposed in spaced and parallel relationship to the side wall; and
a base which connects the first lip and the side wall;
in which the side wall, first lip and base cooperate to define a tray within which a cable may extend;
a plurality of pickets;
a cable; and
a plurality of posts, in which each post is characterized by at least one cable passageway extending therethrough, the cable passageway sized to receive the cable.
6. A rail having two lateral edge portions, comprising:
an upper section which includes one of the edge portions;
a lower section which includes the other edge portion, comprising:
a flat side wall providing an attachment surface for a picket;
a first lip disposed in spaced and parallel relationship to the side wall; and
a base which connects the first lip and the side wall;
in which the side wall, first lip and base cooperate to define a tray within which a cable may extend, and in which the opposed lateral edge portions define the boundaries of a longitudinally extending gap, the gap situated on the opposite side of the rail from the flat side wall and providing access to the tray.
7. The rail of claim 6 in which the flat side wall is provided with a plurality of openings for receiving fasteners.
8. The rail of claim 6 in which that portion of lower section of the rail between the base and the edge section is planar.
9. The rail of claim 6 in which that portion of lower section of the rail between the base and the edge section is planar.
10. A fence kit comprising a plurality of rails as defined in claim 9 , and further comprising:
a plurality of posts; and
a plurality of pickets.
11. The kit of claim 10 , further comprising:
a strengthening cable.
12. A fence comprising a plurality of rails, as defined in claim 6 , and further comprising:
a plurality of vertically disposed posts; and
a plurality of vertically disposed pickets;
in which at least two rails are disposed in vertically spaced relationship between each adjacent pair of posts, and with each rail supported by its opposite ends by an adjacent pair of posts, and with each picket attached to the flat side wall of each rail of at least a vertically spaced pair of rails.
13. The fence of claim 12 , further comprising:
a strengthening cable extended within the internal tray of at least one rail.
14. A fence kit comprising a plurality of rails as defined in claim 6 , and further comprising:
a plurality of posts; and
a plurality of pickets.
15. The kit of claim 14 , further comprising:
a strengthening cable.
16. A fence comprising a plurality of rails, as defined in claim 8 , and further comprising:
a plurality of vertically disposed posts; and
a plurality of vertically disposed pickets;
in which at least two rails are disposed in vertically spaced relationship between each adjacent pair of posts, and with each rail supported by its opposite ends by an adjacent pair of posts, and with each picket attached to the flat side wall of each rail of at least a vertically spaced pair of rails.
17. The fence of claim 16 , further comprising:
a strengthening cable extended within the internal tray of at least one rail.
18. A fence kit comprising a plurality of rails as defined in claim 8 , and further comprising:
a plurality of posts; and
a plurality of pickets.
19. The kit of claim 18 , further comprising:
a strengthening cable.
20. A fence comprising:
a plurality of rails, comprising:
an upper section which includes one of the edge portions;
a lower section which includes the other edge portion, comprising:
a flat side wall providing an attachment surface;
a first lip disposed in spaced and parallel relationship to the side wall; and
a base which connects the first lip and the side wall;
in which the side wall, first lip and base cooperate to define a tray within which a cable may extend and in which that portion of lower section of the rail between the base and the edge section is planar;
a plurality of vertically disposed posts; and
a plurality of vertically disposed pickets;
in which at least two rails are disposed in vertically spaced relationship between each adjacent pair of posts, and with each rail supported by its opposite ends by an adjacent pair of posts, and with each picket attached to the flat side wall of each rail of at least a vertically spaced pair of rails.
21. The fence of claim 20 , further comprising:
a strengthening cable extended within the internal tray of at least one rail.