Universal fence section, fence section kit and fence section parts
View Patent ↗Various embodiments of an invention regarding universal fence sections are described including a specially shaped fence section connector that may act as an elbow and/or a T-member, a universal fence section kit with parts for assembling a universal fence section including a specially shaped fence section connector, and a universal fence section assembled using a specially shaped fence section connector.
1. A connector used in assembling components to form a fence section, the connector comprising:
a rigid sleeve including an opening therethrough having a cross-sectional area configured to fit around a beam, the sleeve comprising:
a first side including at least one aperture through which a fastener can be inserted to fasten the sleeve to a beam,
a second side,
a third side, and
a fourth side;
a first flange that extends from the sleeve in a direction perpendicular to the fourth side of the sleeve, the first flange including at least one aperture through which a fastener can be inserted to fasten the first flange directly to a rail of a fence panel;
a second flange that extends from the sleeve in a direction perpendicular to the fourth side of the sleeve; and
at least two extension members extending orthogonal from the fourth side of the sleeve and parallel with the lengthwise orientation of the first flange and the second flange, the extension members spaced apart from one another and configured to fit against interior surfaces of the rail of a fence panel.
2. The connector of claim 1 wherein the length of the second flange is shorter than the length of the first flange.
3. The connector of claim 1 wherein the at least two extension members comprises four extension members extending from locations adjacent four corners of the fourth side of the sleeve and spaced apart from one another.
4. A fence section comprising:
a first elongate beam having opposing first and second ends and a polygonal cross-section;
a second elongate beam having opposing first and second ends and a polygonal cross-section;
a fence panel including a first rail having opposing first and second ends and a second rail having opposing first and second ends;
a first connector comprising:
a first rigid sleeve including an opening therethrough having a cross-sectional area configured to fit around the first beam, the first sleeve including a first side, including at least one aperture through which a faster can be inserted to fasten the first sleeve to the first beam; a second side; a third side; and a fourth side;
a first flange that extends from the first sleeve in a direction perpendicular to the fourth side of the first sleeve, the first flange including at least one aperture through which a fastener can be inserted to fasten the first flange directly to the first rail of the fence panel;
a second flange that extends from the first sleeve in a direction perpendicular to the fourth side of the first sleeve;
a second connector comprising:
a second rigid sleeve including an opening therethrough having a cross-sectional area configured to fit around the second beam, the second sleeve including a first side, including at least one aperture through which a fastener can be inserted to fasten the sleeve to the second beam; a second side; a third side; and a fourth side;
a first flange that extends from the second sleeve in a direction perpendicular to the fourth side of the second sleeve, the first flange including at least one aperture through which a fastener can be inserted to fasten the first flange directly to the first rail of the fence panel;
a second flange that extends from the second sleeve in a direction perpendicular to the fourth side of the second sleeve;
a third connector comprising:
a third rigid sleeve including an opening therethrough having a cross-sectional area configured to fit around the first beam, the third sleeve including a first side, including at least one aperture through which a fastener can be inserted to fasten the sleeve to the first beam; a second side; a third side; and a fourth side;
a first flange that extends from the third sleeve in a direction perpendicular to the fourth side of the third sleeve, the first flange including at least one aperture through which a fastener can be inserted to fasten the first flange directly to the second rail of the fence panel;
a second flange that extends from the third sleeve in a direction perpendicular to the fourth side of the third sleeve;
a fourth connector comprising:
a fourth rigid sleeve including an opening therethrough having a cross-sectional area configured to fit around the second beam, the fourth sleeve including a first side, including at least one aperture through which a fastener can be inserted to fasten the sleeve to the second beam; a second side; a third side; and a fourth side;
a first flange that extends from the fourth sleeve in a direction perpendicular to the fourth side of the fourth sleeve, the first flange including at least one aperture through which a fastener can be inserted to fasten the first flange directly to the second rail of the fence panel;
a second flange that extends from the fourth sleeve in a direction perpendicular to the fourth side of the fourth sleeve;
wherein the first connector further comprises at least two extension members extending orthogonal from the fourth side of the first sleeve and parallel with the lengthwise orientation of the first flange and the second flange of the first connector, engaged with the first rail of the fence panel along interior surfaces adjacent the first end of the first rail of the fence panel;
wherein the second connector comprises at least two extension members extending orthogonal from the fourth side of the second sleeve and parallel with the lengthwise orientation of the first flange and the second flange of the second connector, engaged with the first rail of the fence panel along interior surfaces adjacent the second end of the first rail of the fence panel; wherein the third connector comprises at least two extension members extending orthogonal from the fourth side of the third sleeve and parallel with the lengthwise orientation of the first flange and the second flange of the third connector, engaged with the second rail of the fence panel along interior surfaces adjacent the first end of the second rail of the fence panel; and
wherein the fourth connector comprises at least two extension members extending orthogonal from the fourth side of the fourth sleeve and parallel with the lengthwise orientation of the first flange and the second flange of the fourth connector, engaged with the second rail of the fence panel along interior surfaces adjacent the second end of the second rail of the fence panel.