IP Library Granted Patent US 12,421,755
Granted Patent B2
US 12,421,755 · App. 18/665,868 · Granted Sep 23, 2025

Raking barrier panel

Inventors: Kevin T. Burt (Dallas, TX); Kevin B. Flatt (Garland, TX); Geoff T. Luczycki (Garland, TX); Yihong Zhang (Garland, TX); Matthew Carlyle Sherstad (Dallas, TX); Evan Timmons (Arlington, TX); Xiaoning Wang (Garland, TX)
Assignee: Fortress Iron, LP
E04H17/1426E04H17/1439
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,421,755
App. No.
18/665,868
Granted
Sep 23, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A raking barrier panel includes a plurality of pickets and a channel member. The channel member includes a web wall and side walls extending from the web wall and a first rib extending from the first side wall, where the web wall defines a plurality of spaced apart openings, and each opening receives a respective one of the plurality of pickets. A first inner rail is disposed on a first side of the plurality of pickets, and a second inner rail is disposed on a second side of the plurality of pickets opposite the first side, where the second inner rail is separate from the first inner rail. A plurality of fasteners is received through the first inner rail and pivotably couples the plurality of pickets to the first inner rail.

Claims (44)

1. A raking barrier panel, comprising:

a plurality of pickets;

a channel member comprising a web wall and first and second side walls extending from the web wall and a first rib extending from the first side wall, the web wall defining a plurality of spaced apart openings, each opening receiving a respective one of the plurality of pickets therethrough;

a first inner rail disposed on a first side of the plurality of pickets;

a second inner rail disposed on a second side of the plurality of pickets opposite the first side, the second inner rail being separate from the first inner rail;

a plurality of fasteners received through the first inner rail and pivotably coupling the plurality of pickets to the first inner rail; and

wherein, to secure the first inner rail within the channel member, the first rib engages the first inner rail and an adhesive is disposed between the first inner rail and the channel member.

2. The raking barrier panel of claim 1 wherein the first inner rail includes a recessed surface extending along a length of the first inner rail and a head of each of the plurality of fasteners contacts the recessed surface of the first inner rail.

3. The raking barrier panel of claim 1 wherein each picket of the plurality of pickets is offset within a respective opening of the plurality of spaced apart openings.

4. The raking barrier panel of claim 1 wherein the plurality of fasteners is a first plurality of fasteners and further comprising a second plurality of fasteners pivotably coupling the second inner rail to the plurality of pickets.

5. The raking barrier panel of claim 4 wherein each of the first and second pluralities of fasteners is a blind rivet.

6. The raking barrier panel of claim 1 wherein each of the first and second side walls extend downward beyond the first rib.

7. The raking barrier panel of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of pickets, the first inner rail, and the channel member are formed of an extruded aluminum alloy.

8. The raking barrier panel of claim 1 wherein the first inner rail includes a first ledge and the first rib contacts the first ledge.

9. The raking barrier panel of claim 8 wherein the first rib includes a first upward facing surface contacting the first ledge of the first inner rail.

10. The raking barrier panel of claim 1 wherein a second rib extends from the second side wall of the channel member and engages the second inner rail.

11. The raking barrier panel of claim 1 wherein the first inner rail contacts the first side of the plurality of pickets.

12. A raking barrier panel, comprising:

a plurality of pickets;

a first rail assembly vertically spaced apart from a second rail assembly, each comprising:

a channel member comprising a web wall and first and second side walls extending from the web wall and a first upper rib and a first lower rib each extending from and running a length of the first side wall, a second upper rib and a second lower rib each extending from and running the length of the second side wall, the web wall defining a plurality of spaced apart openings, each opening receiving a respective one of the plurality of pickets therethrough;

a first inner rail comprising a first recessed surface running the length of the first inner rail, the first inner rail being disposed on a first side of the plurality of pickets and a first ledge extending from the first inner rail;

a second inner rail comprising a second recessed surface running the length of the second inner rail, the second inner rail being disposed on a second side of the plurality of pickets opposite the first side and a second ledge extending from the second inner rail, the second inner rail being separate from the first inner rail;

a first plurality of rivets received through the first inner rail and pivotably coupling the plurality of pickets to the first inner rail, a head of each rivet of the first plurality of rivets contacting the first recessed surface; and

a second plurality of rivets received through the second inner rail and pivotably coupling the plurality of pickets to the second inner rail, a head of each rivet of the second plurality of rivets contacting the second recessed surface;

wherein, to secure the first inner rail within the channel member, the first lower rib engages the first ledge of the first inner rail and an adhesive is disposed between the first inner rail and the channel member;

wherein, to secure the second inner rail within the channel member, the second lower rib engages the second ledge of the second inner rail and the adhesive is disposed between the second inner rail and the channel member.

13. The raking barrier panel of claim 12 wherein for each of the first and second rail assemblies, each picket of the plurality of pickets is offset within a respective opening of the plurality of spaced apart openings.

14. The raking barrier panel of claim 12 wherein for each of the first and second rail assemblies, the first ledge is in seated engagement with the first lower rib and the second ledge is in seated engagement with the second lower rib.

15. The raking barrier panel of claim 12 wherein for each of the first and second rail assemblies, the first side wall extends downwardly beyond the first lower rib and the second side wall extends downwardly beyond the second lower rib.

16. The raking barrier panel of claim 12 for each of the first and second rail assemblies, the channel member and the first and second inner rails are formed of an extruded aluminum alloy.

17. The raking barrier panel of claim 12 wherein for each of the first and second rail assemblies, the first upper rib contacts the first inner rail and the second upper rib contacts the second inner rail.

18. A raking barrier panel, comprising:

a plurality of pickets;

a first rail assembly vertically spaced apart from a second rail assembly, each comprising:

a channel member comprising a web wall and first and second side walls extending from the web wall and a first upper rib and a first lower rib each extending from and running a length of the first side wall, a second upper rib and a second lower rib each extending from and running the length of the second side wall, the web wall defining a plurality of spaced apart rectangular openings, each of the plurality of pickets being received through and being offset within a respective one of the spaced apart rectangular openings;

a first inner rail disposed on a first side of the plurality of pickets and a first ledge extending from the first inner rail;

a second inner rail disposed on a second side of the plurality of pickets opposite the first side and a second ledge extending from the second inner rail, the second inner rail being separate from the first inner rail;

a first plurality of rivets received through the first inner rail and pivotably coupling the plurality of pickets to the first inner rail; and

a second plurality of rivets received through the second inner rail and pivotably coupling the plurality of pickets to the second inner rail;

wherein, to secure the first inner rail within the channel member, the first lower rib engages the first ledge of the first inner rail and an adhesive is disposed between the first inner rail and the channel member;

wherein, to secure the second inner rail within the channel member, the second lower rib engages the second ledge of the second inner rail and the adhesive is disposed between the second inner rail and the channel member.

19. The raking barrier panel of claim 18 wherein for each of the first and second rail assemblies, the first ledge is in seated engagement with the first lower rib and the second ledge is in seated engagement with the second lower rib.

20. The raking barrier panel of claim 18 wherein for each of the first and second rail assemblies, the first side wall extends downwardly beyond the first lower rib and the second side wall extends downwardly beyond the second lower rib.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 26, 2026
From: FORTRESS IRON, LP
To: FORTRESS IRON ACQUISITION CO, LLC
Reel/Frame 073579/0021 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 26, 2026
From: FORTRESS IRON ACQUISITION CO, LLC
To: FORTIFIED IPCO, LLC
Reel/Frame 073579/0161 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 16, 2024
From: BURT, KEVIN T.; FLATT, KEVIN B.; LUCZYCKI, GEOFF T.; ZHANG, YIHONG; SHERSTAD, MATTHEW CARLYLE; TIMMONS, EVAN; WANG, XIAONING
To: FORTRESS IRON, LP
Reel/Frame 067433/0269 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 17341874 · Jun 8, 2021
Continuation 15865149 · Jan 8, 2018
Related Publication 20240301717A1 · Sep 12, 2024
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