IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,007,363
Granted Patent B2
US 7,007,363 · App. 10/824,707 · Granted Mar 7, 2006

Method for attaching a fence rail to a support

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,007,363
App. No.
10/824,707
Granted
Mar 7, 2006
Kind
B2
Abstract

A fence rail bracket system. The bracket system may include a bracket with an open end for receiving a fence rail, a retention clip for attaching the rail to the bracket, and a cap for covering the open end of the bracket. The bracket may attach to a wall or post and the fence rail may be slid into the open end of the bracket. The retention clip may attach the bracket to the fence rail and prevent the rail from sliding out of the bracket. The cap may be removably attached to the bracket to conceal the hardware used in the system for a more aesthetically pleasing look.

Claims (42)

1. A method for attaching a fence rail to a support structure, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) attaching a bracket to the support structure;

(b) attaching a retention clip to the fence rail;

(c) inserting said fence rail within said bracket;

(d) engaging the retention clip with the bracket to attach the fence rail to the bracket; and

(e) placing a cap on the bracket to cover the retention clip.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein step (a) comprises inserting at least one screw through said bracket into the support structure.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein step (b) comprises attaching said retention clip on an end of said fence rail.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein step (b) further comprises inserting a screw through said retention clip and said fence rail.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein step (c) comprises inserting said fence rail within an opening defined by a plurality of walls of said bracket.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein step (d) comprises engaging the retention clip with a catch disposed on said bracket.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein step (d) further comprises inserting said catch between resilient prongs of said retention member.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein step (d) further comprises engaging at least one tooth on said resilient prongs with a complementary tooth on said catch.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein step (e) comprises inserting at least one ridge formed on said cap within at least one groove formed on said bracket.

10. A method for attaching a fence rail to a support structure, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) forming a bracket having a back wall, said back wall having a front face and an opposing rear face, said back wall further comprising a rail support extending from said front face of said back wall for receiving said fence rail;

(b) attaching said bracket to said support structure such that said rear face faces said support structure;

(c) attaching a retention clip to the fence rail; and

(d) inserting said fence rail in said rail support such that said retention clip resides between said rear face and said support structure to attach said fence rail to said bracket.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein step (b) comprises inserting at least one fastener through said back wall.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein step (c) comprises inserting at least one fastener through said retention clip.

13. The method of claim 10 , further comprising step (e) engaging at least one resilient prong disposed on said retention member with a catch disposed on said rear face of said back wall.

14. The method of claim 10 , further comprising (f) placing a cap on said bracket to cover said retention clip.

15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising inserting at least one ridge formed on said cap within at least one groove formed on said bracket.

16. The method of claim 13 , further comprising engaging at least one tooth on said at least one resilient prong with a complementary tooth on said catch.

17. The method of claim 13 , further comprising engaging two resilient prongs disposed on said retention member with said catch.

18. The method of claim 12 , further comprising recessing said fastener beneath a surface of said retention clip.

19. The method of claim 10 , wherein step (a) further comprises forming said rail support of a plurality of walls.

20. A method for attaching a fence rail to a support structure, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) attaching a bracket to the support structure, said bracket having a back wall, said back wall having a front face and an opposing rear face such that said rear face faces said support structure;

(b) attaching a retention clip to the fence rail;

(c) inserting said fence rail within said bracket;

(d) engaging the retention clip with the bracket to attach the fence rail to the bracket; and

(e) placing a cap on the bracket to cover the retention clip;

wherein step (a) comprises inserting at least one screw through said bracket into the support structure;

wherein step (b) comprises attaching said retention clip on an end of said fence rail;

wherein step (b) further comprises inserting a screw through said retention clip and said fence rail;

wherein step (c) comprises inserting said fence rail within an opening defined by a plurality of walls of said bracket;

wherein step (d) comprises engaging the retention clip with a catch disposed on said rear face of said bracket;

wherein step (d) further comprises inserting said catch between resilient prongs of said retention member;

wherein step (d) further comprises engaging at least one tooth on said resilient prongs with a complementary tooth on said catch; and

wherein step (e) comprises inserting at least one ridge formed on said cap within at least one groove formed on said bracket.

Assignments (18)
NOTICE OF SUCCESSION OF AGENCY Recorded May 20, 2024
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH, AS SUCCESSOR COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 067461/0646 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Apr 23, 2018
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG
To: KROY BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.; MASTIC HOME EXTERIORS, INC.; NAPCO, INC.; PLY GEM INDUSTRIES, INC.; VERIFORM, INC.; SIMONTON BUILDING PRODUCTS LLC; SIMONTON WINDOWS & DOORS, INC.
Reel/Frame 046449/0522 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Apr 23, 2018
From: UBS AG, STAMFORD BRANCH
To: MASTIC HOME EXTERIORS, INC.; KROY BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.; PLY GEM INDUSTRIES, INC.; VERIFORM, INC.; NAPCO, INC.; MW WINDOWS; MW MANUFACTURERS INC.
Reel/Frame 045997/0731 →
CASH FLOW NOTICE AND CONFIRMATION OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Apr 12, 2018
From: MASTIC HOME EXTERIORS, INC.; GREAT LAKES WINDOW INC.; KROY BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.; NAPCO, INC.; PLY GEM INDUSTRIES, INC.; PLY GEM PACIFIC WINDOWS CORPORATION; SIMONTON BUILDING PRODUCTS LLC; VARIFORM, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 045932/0272 →
ABL NOTICE AND CONFIRMATION OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Apr 12, 2018
From: MASTIC HOME EXTERIORS, INC.; GREAT LAKES WINDOW INC.; KROY BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.; NAPCO, INC.; PLY GEM INDUSTRIES, INC.; PLY GEM PACIFIC WINDOWS CORPORATION; SIMONTON BUILDING PRODUCTS LLC; VARIFORM, INC.
To: UBS AG, STAMFORD BRANCH
Reel/Frame 045932/0384 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 14, 2014
From: KROY BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 032441/0133 →
SECURITY RELEASE AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 11, 2014
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTEHOLDER COLLATERAL AGENT
To: PLY GEM INDUSTRIES, INC.; PLY GEM HOLDINGS, INC.; ALCOA HOME EXTERIORS, INC. (N/K/A MASTIC HOME EXTERIORS, INC.); KROY BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.; MW MANUFACTURERS, INC.; MW WINDOWS (N/K/A MWM HOLDING, INC.); NAPCO, INC.; VARIFORM, INC.; GREAT LAKES WINDOWS, INC.; NEW ALENCO WINDOW, LTD.; NEW GLAZING INDUSTRIES, LTD.; NEW ALENCO EXTRUSION, LTD.; PLY GEM PACIFIC WINDOWS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 032427/0173 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 3, 2011
From: PLY GEM INDUSTRIES, INC.; PLY GEM HOLDINGS, INC.; ALCOA HOME EXTERIORS, INC. (N/K/A MASTIC HOME EXTERIORS, INC.); KROY BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.; MW MANUFACTURERS INC.; MW WINDOWS; NAPCO, INC.; VARIFORM, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., AS NOTEHOLDER COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 025895/0954 →
RELEASE OF LIEN ON PATENTS Recorded Feb 22, 2011
From: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: ALCOA HOME EXTERIORS, INC.; GREAT LAKES WINDOW, INC.; KROY BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.; MW MANUFACTURERS INC.; NAPCO, INC.; NEW ALENCO WINDOW, LTD.; NEW GLAZING INDUSTRIES, LTD.; PLY GEM HOLDINGS, INC.; PLY GEM INDUSTRIES, INC.; PLY GEM PACIFIC WINDOWS CORPORATION; VARIFORM, INC.
Reel/Frame 025830/0341 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 17, 2011
From: GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION, AS AGENT
To: ALCOA HOME EXTERIORS, INC.; GREAT LAKES WINDOW, INC.; KROY BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.; MW MANUFACTURERS INC.; NAPCO, INC.; NEW ALENCO WINDOW, LTD.; NEW GLAZING INDUSTRIES, LTD.; PLY GEM HOLDINGS, INC.; PLY GEM INDUSTRIES, INC.; PLY GEM PACIFIC WINDOWS CORPORATION; VARIFORM, INC.
Reel/Frame 025814/0918 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 11, 2011
From: PLY GEM INDUSTRIES, INC.; PLY GEM HOLDINGS, INC.; NEW ALENCO WINDOW, LTD.; NEW GLAZING INDUSTRIES, LTD.; NEW ALENCO EXTRUSION, LTD.; ALENCO BUILDING PRODUCTS MANAGEMENT, L.L.C.; ALENCO EXTRUSION GA, L.L.C.; ALENCO EXTRUSION MANAGEMENT, L.L.C.; ALENCO HOLDING CORPORATION; ALENCO INTERESTS, L.L.C.; ALENCO TRANS, INC.; ALENCO WINDOW GA, L.L.C.; ALUMINUM SCRAP RECYCLE, L.L.C.; AWC ARIZONA, INC.; AWC HOLDING COMPANY; GLAZING INDUSTRIES MANAGEMENT, L.L.C.; GREAT LAKES WINDOW, INC.; KROY BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.; MASTIC HOME EXTERIORS, INC.; MW MANUFACTURERS INC.; MWM HOLDING, INC.; NAPCO, INC.; PLY GEM PACIFIC WINDOWS CORPORATION; VARIFORM, INC.
To: UBS AG, STAMFORD BRANCH, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 025781/0858 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 8, 2009
From: PLY GEM INDUSTRIES, INC.; PLY GEM HOLDINGS, INC.; ALCOA HOME EXTERIORS, INC.; GREAT LAKES WINDOW, INC.; KROY BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.; MW MANUFACTURERS INC.; NAPCO, INC.; PLY GEM PACIFIC WINDOWS CORPORATION; VARIFORM, INC.; NEW ALENCO WINDOW, LTD.; NEW GLAZING INDUSTRIES, LTD.
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 022793/0229 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 3, 2008
From: PLY GEM INDUSTRIES, INC.; PLY GEM HOLDINGS, INC.; ALCOA HOME EXTERIORS, INC.; GREAT LAKES WINDOW, INC.; KROY BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.; MW MANUFACTURERS INC.; NAPCO, INC.; PLY GEM PACIFIC WINDOWS CORPORATION; VARIFORM, INC.; NEW ALENCO WINDOW, LTD.; NEW GLAZING INDUSTRIES, LTD.
To: GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 021194/0053 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 30, 2008
From: UBS AG, STAMFORD BRANCH
To: ALCOA HOME EXTERIORS, INC.; GREAT LAKES WINDOW, INC.; KROY BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.; MW MANUFACTURERS INC.; VARIFORM, INC.
Reel/Frame 021172/0080 →
RELEASE OF SECOND LIEN PATENT U.S. SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 25, 2007
From: UBS AG, STAMFORD BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: GREAT LAKES WINDOW, INC.; KROY BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.; VARIFORM, INC.; ALCOA HOME EXTERIORS, INC.
Reel/Frame 019204/0525 →
SECOND LIEN PATENT U.S. SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 29, 2007
From: GREAT LAKES WINDOW, INC.; ALCOA HOME EXTERIORS, INC.; KROY BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.; VARIFORM, INC.
To: UBS AG, STAMFORD BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 018816/0277 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 25, 2007
From: ALCOA HOME EXTERIORS, INC.; KROY BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.
To: UBS AG, STAMFORD BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 018797/0785 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 21, 2005
From: FORBIS, JOHN T.
To: KROY BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 016555/0230 →