US20110095254A1

US20110095254A1 - Modular Fence Device

Info

Publication number: US20110095254A1
Application number: US12/606,577
Authority: US
Inventors: Min-Ju Chung
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-10-27
Filing date: 2009-10-27
Publication date: 2011-04-28

Abstract

A modular fence device includes a plurality of spaced-apart rods connected between upper and lower beams, a plurality of upper spacers each disposed between top ends of two adjacent ones of the rods, and a plurality of lower spacers each disposed between bottom ends of the two adjacent ones of the rods. Each of the upper and lower beams includes a rail member defining a groove and having two opposite longitudinal rail walls, two spacer retainers extending longitudinally on the respective longitudinal rail walls, and two rail tracks extending above the spacer retainers. The top and bottom ends of each rod respectively extend into the grooves in the rail members of the upper and lower beams, and have a pair of slide protrusions projecting transversely and oppositely therefrom and engaging respectively and slidably the rail tracks of the rail members of the upper and lower beams.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a structural element, more particularly to a modular fence device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a currently available fence device 100 includes spaced-apart upper and lower beams 1, 2, two frames 3 each disposed inside a respective one of the upper and lower beams 1, 2, a plurality of spaced-apart rods 4 mounted between the frames 3, and a plurality of upper and lower spacers 5. The upper beam 1 has an upper longitudinal groove 101 with a bottom opening, and a pair of upper engaging grooves 102 adjacent to the bottom opening. The lower beam 2 has a lower longitudinal groove 201 with a top opening, and a pair of lower engaging grooves 202 adjacent to the top opening. The frames 3 are inserted respectively into the upper and lower grooves 101, 201. Each frame 3 has a U-shaped cross section, and has a horizontal plate 301, and two side plates 302 connected perpendicularly to the horizontal plate 301. Each side plate 302 has an inner face provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs 303 projecting therefrom. Each rod 4 has top and bottom ends inserted respectively into the upper and lower longitudinal grooves 101, 201 via the bottom and top openings thereof and press-fitted between the side plates 302 of the corresponding frames 3 through the ribs 303. Each upper spacer 5 is disposed between top ends of two adjacent ones of the rods 4, and has two opposite ends engaged respectively to the upper engaging grooves 102. Each lower spacer 5 is disposed between bottom ends of two adjacent ones of the rods 4, and has two opposite ends engaged respectively to the lower engaging grooves 202.
Although the aforesaid fence device 100 can achieve its intended purpose, it has the following drawbacks:
1. The fence device 100 is mostly installed outdoors. Since the frames 3 are made of plastic, which is not ideal for such outdoor settings, the fence device 100 has poor weather resistance so that after a short period of time following installation, the fence device 100 may get damaged. Ultimately, this renders the rods 4 rocky and unstable.
2. Since the top and bottom ends of the rods 4 are inserted respectively into the frames 3 of the upper and lower beams 1, 2 in a press-fittingmanner, assembly of the rods 4 requires strenuous effort and is therefore difficult and strenuous. Further, if adjustment of the positions of the rods 4 is necessary after assembly, this task is also difficult and laborious.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a modular fence device that has simple components, is weather resistant, is easy to assemble, and has a stable structure after assembly.
According to this invention, a modular fence device comprises an upper beam, a lower beam, a plurality of spaced-apart rods, a plurality of upper spacers, and a plurality of lower spacers. The upper beam extends along a longitudinal direction, and includes an upper rail member that is disposed at a bottom side of the upper beam and that extends along the length of the upper beam. The upper rail member is inverted U-shaped in cross section, defines an upper groove that extends along the length of the upper rail member and that opens downwardly, and has two opposite upper longitudinal rail walls bounding two opposite sides of the upper groove, two upper spacer retainers extending longitudinally and respectively on the upper longitudinal rail walls, and two upper rail tracks extending longitudinally and respectively on the upper longitudinal rail walls above the upper spacer retainers. The lower beam is spaced apart from the upper beam, extends along the longitudinal direction, and includes a lower rail member that is disposed at a top side of the lower beam and that extends along the length of the lower beam. The lower rail member defines a lower groove that extends along the length of the lower rail member and that opens upwardly, and has two opposite lower longitudinal rail walls bounding two opposite sides of the lower groove, two lower spacer retainers extending longitudinally and respectively on the lower longitudinal rail walls, and two lower rail tracks extending longitudinally and respectively on the lower longitudinal rail walls below the lower spacer retainers. The rods are connected between the upper and lower beams. Each of the rods includes a top end that extends into the upper groove and that has a pair of upper slide protrusions projecting transversely and oppositely therefrom and engaging respectively and slidably the upper rail tracks, and a bottom end that extends into the lower groove and that has a pair of lower slide protrusions projecting transversely and oppositely therefrom and engaging respectively and slidably the lower rail tracks. The upper spacers are disposed longitudinally in the upper groove, and each has two opposite upper engaging ends engaged respectively to the upper spacer retainers. Each of the upper spacers is disposed between the top ends of two adjacent ones of the rods. The lower spacers are disposed longitudinally in the lower groove, and each has two opposite lower engaging ends engaged respectively to the lower spacer retainers. Each of the lower spacers is disposed between the bottom ends of two adjacent ones of the rods.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary sectional view of a currently available fence device in an assembled state;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the fence device taken along line II-II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a modular fence device according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged partly sectional view of the preferred embodiment in an assembled state;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of the preferred embodiment taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is an alternative form of assembly of the preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 3 to 7, a modular fence device 200 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown to comprise an upper beam 10, a lower beam 20, a plurality of spaced-apart rods 30, a plurality of upper and lower spacers 40, 40′, two upright posts 50, two upper cap members 60, and two lower cap members 70.
The upper beam 10 extends along a longitudinal direction (X), and includes an upper rail member 11 that is disposed at a bottom side of the upper beam 10 and that extends along the length of the upper beam 10, and a handrail 12 connected to and disposed above the upper rail member 11 and extending along the length of the upper beam 10. The upper rail member 11 is inverted U-shaped in cross section, defines an upper groove 111 that extends along the length of the upper rail member 11 and that opens downwardly, and has two opposite upper longitudinal rail walls 110 bounding two opposite sides of the upper groove 111, two upper spacer retainers 13 extending longitudinally and respectively on the upper longitudinal rail walls 110, and two upper rail tracks 14 extending longitudinally and respectively on the upper longitudinal rail walls 110 above the upper spacer retainers 13. The upper spacer retainers 13 in this embodiment are configured as retaining grooves.
The lower beam 20 is spaced apart from the upper beam 10, extends along the longitudinal direction (X), and has an H-shaped cross section. The lower beam 20 includes a lower rail member 21 that is disposed at a top side of the lower beam 20 and that extends along the length of the lower beam 20. The lower rail member 21 defines a lower groove 211 that extends along the length of the lower rail member 21 and that opens upwardly, and has two opposite lower longitudinal rail walls 210 bounding two opposite sides of the lower groove 211, two lower spacer retainers 23 extending longitudinally and respectively on the lower longitudinal rail walls 210, and two lower rail tracks 24 extending longitudinally and respectively on the lower longitudinal rail walls 210 below the lower spacer retainers 23. The lower spacer retainers 23 in this embodiment are configured as retaining grooves.
The rods 30 are connected between the upper and lower beams 10, 20. Each rod 30 has a rectangular cross section, and includes a top end that extends into the upper groove 111 and that has a pair of upper slide protrusions 321 (see FIG. 6) projecting transversely and oppositely therefrom and engaged respectively and slidably to the upper rail tracks 14, and a bottom end that extends into the lower groove 211 and that has a pair of lower slide protrusions 331 projecting transversely and oppositely therefrom and engaged respectively and slidably to the lower rail tracks 24. Each of the upper and lower slide protrusions 321, 331 has a circular cross section. In this embodiment, each rod 30 further has an upper pin 32 inserted transversely into the top end thereof and having two opposite ends formed respectively with the upper slide protrusions 321, and a lower pin 33 inserted transversely into the bottom end thereof and having two opposite ends formed respectively with the lower slide protrusions 331.
The upper spacers 40 are disposed longitudinally in the upper groove 111. Each upper spacer 40 has two opposite upper engaging ends 41 engaged respectively to the upper spacer retainers 13, and is disposed between the top ends of two adjacent ones of the rods 30. The lower spacers 40′ are disposed longitudinally in the lower groove 211. Each lower spacer 40′ has two opposite lower engaging ends 41′ engaged respectively to the lower spacer retainers 23, and is disposed between the bottom ends of two adjacent ones of the rods 30. Each of the upper and lower spacers 40, 40′ is configured as a longitudinal plate.
Each upper cap member 60 has an upper transverse end plate 62 screwed to a top portion of a respective upright post 50, and an upper surrounding wall 61 projecting from a peripheral end of the upper transverse end plate 62 in the longitudinal direction (X). The upper surrounding wall 61 has two opposite ends screwed respectively to the upper longitudinal rail walls 110, so that the upper surrounding wall 61 surrounds one end of the handrail 12 and a corresponding end of the upper rail member 11.
Each lower cap member 70 has a lower transverse end plate 72 screwed to a bottom portion of the respective upright post 50, and a lower surrounding wall 71 projecting from a peripheral end of the lower transverse end plate 72. The lower surrounding wall 71 has two opposite ends screwed respectively to the lower longitudinal rail walls 210, so that the lower surrounding wall 71 surrounds one end of the lower beam 20.
With reference to FIGS. 3, 5, and 6, to assemble the fence device 200, one end of the upper beam 10 and one end of the lower beam 20 are first secured to the top and bottom portions of one of the upright posts 50 through one of the upper cap members 60 and a respective lower cap member 70, after which the upper engaging ends 41 of one of the upper spacers 40 are inserted into the respective upper spacer retainers 13, and the lower engaging ends 41′ of one of the lower spacers 40′ are inserted into the respective lower spacer retainers 23. Next, the upper and lower slide protrusions 321, 331 of one of the rods 30 are inserted respectively and slidably into the upper and lower rail tracks 14, 24. This results in preventing vertical movement of the rod 30 relative to the upper and lower beams 10, 20. Subsequently, the upper engaging ends 41 of another one of the upper spacers 40 are inserted into the respective upper spacer retainers 13, the lower engaging ends 41′ of another one of the lower spacers 40′ are inserted respectively into the lower spacer retainers 23, and the upper and lower slide protrusions 321, 331 of another one of the rods 30 are inserted respectively and slidably into the upper and lower rail tracks 14, 24. These steps are continuously repeated until the last one of the rods 30 is installed, after which the other end of the upper beam 10 and the other end of the lower beam 20 are secured to the top and bottom portions of the other upright post 50 through the other one of the upper cap members 60 and the respective lower cap member 70. Since the top end of each rod 30 is disposed between two adjacent ones of the upper spacers 40 and the bottom end of each rod 30 is disposed between two adjacent ones of the lower spacers 40′, longitudinal movement of each rod 30 is prevented.
The advantages of the fence device 200 of the present invention can be summarized as follows:
1. Even if the fence device 200 is installed outdoors, since the upper and lower beams 10, 20, the rods 30, the upper and lower spacers 40, 40′, the upright posts 50, and the upper and lower capmembers 60, 70 are all made of aluminum, the fence device 200 has good weather resistance, so that the entire fence device 200 maintains good stability over time, even when subjected to bad weather conditions.
2. Since each rod 30 has upper and lower slide protrusions 321, 331 engaged respectively and slidably to the upper and lower rail tracks 14, 24, assembly of the rods 30 is easy, requiring minimal effort. Further, if adjustment of the positions of the rods 30 is necessary after assembly, this task can be easily accomplished.
With reference to FIG. 7, the fence device 200 of the present invention may be installed corresponding to an inclination of the ground surface or stairway. In this case, the fence device 200 further comprises a plurality of upper wedge-shaped pieces 80 (only one is shown) and a plurality of lower wedge-shaped pieces 80′ (only one is shown). Each upper wedge-shaped piece 80 is connected between one of the upright posts 50 and a respective upper cap member 60, and has an inclined wall 801 inclining with respect to said upright post 50 and in abutment with the upper transverse end plate 62 of the respective upper cap member 60. Each lower wedge-shaped piece 80′ is connected between said upright post 50 and a respective lower cap member 70, and has an inclined wall 801′ inclining with respect to said upright post 50 and in abutment with the lower transverse end plate 72 of the respective lower cap member 70. Through the circular cross sections of the upper and lower slide protrusions 321, 331 which can pivot relative to the upper rail tracks 14 and the lower rail tracks 24, the rods 30 can be disposed at different inclining angles relative to the upper and lower beams 10, 20.
While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretations and equivalent arrangements.

Claims

1. A modular fence device comprising:

an upper beam extending along a longitudinal direction, and including an upper rail member that is disposed at a bottom side of said upper beam and that extends along the length of said upper beam, said upper rail member being inverted U-shaped in cross section, defining an upper groove that extends along the length of said upper rail member and that opens downwardly, and having two opposite upper longitudinal rail walls bounding two opposite sides of said upper groove, two upper spacer retainers extending longitudinally and respectively on said upper longitudinal rail walls, and two upper rail tracks extending longitudinally and respectively on said upper longitudinal rail walls above said upper spacer retainers;

a lower beam spaced apart from said upper beam, extending along said longitudinal direction, and including a lower rail member that is disposed at a top side of said lower beam and that extends along the length of said lower beam, said lower rail member defining a lower groove that extends along the length of said lower rail member and that opens upwardly, and having two opposite lower longitudinal rail walls bounding two opposite sides of said lower groove, two lower spacer retainers extending longitudinally and respectively on said lower longitudinal rail walls, and two lower rail tracks extending longitudinally and respectively on said lower longitudinal rail walls below said lower spacer retainers;

a plurality of spaced-apart rods connected between said upper and lower beams, each of said rods including a top end that extends into said upper groove and that has a pair of upper slide protrusions projecting transversely and oppositely therefrom and engaging respectively and slidably said upper rail tracks, and a bottom end that extends into said lower groove and that has a pair of lower slide protrusions projecting transversely and oppositely therefrom and engaging respectively and slidably said lower rail tracks;

a plurality of upper spacers disposed longitudinally in said upper groove and each having two opposite upper engaging ends engaged respectively to said upper spacer retainers, each of said upper spacers being disposed between said top ends of two adjacent ones of said rods; and

a plurality of lower spacers disposed longitudinally in said lower groove and each having two opposite lower engaging ends engaged respectively to said lower spacer retainers, each of said lower spacers being disposed between said bottom ends of two adjacent ones of said rods.

2. The modular fence device of claim 1, wherein each of said upper and lower spacer retainers is configured as a retaining groove, and each of said upper and lower spacers is configured as a longitudinal plate.

3. The modular fence device of claim 2, wherein each of said upper and lower slide protrusions has a circular cross section.

4. The modular fence device of claim 3, wherein each of said rods further has an upper pin inserted transversely into said top end of a respective said rod and having two opposite ends formed respectively as said upper slide protrusions, and a lower pin inserted transversely into said bottom end of the respective said rod and having two opposite ends formed respectively as said lower slide protrusions.

5. The modular fence device of claim 4, wherein said upper beam further includes a handrail connected to and disposed above said upper rail member and extending along the length of said upper beam.

6. The modular fence device of claim 5, further comprising two upright posts, two upper cap members each capping one end of said upper beam and secured to a top portion of a respective said upright post, and two lower cap members each capping one end of said lower beam and secured to a bottom portion of the respective said upright post.

7. The modular fence device of claim 6, wherein each of said upper cap members includes an upper transverse end plate secured to said top portion of the respective said upright post, and an upper surrounding wall projecting from a peripheral end of said upper transverse end plate in said longitudinal direction and surrounding said one end of said upper beam, each of said lower cap members includes a lower transverse end plate secured to said bottom portion of the respective said upright post, and a lower surrounding wall projecting from a peripheral end of said lower transverse end plate and surrounding said one end of said lower beam.

8. The modular fence device of claim 7, further comprising a plurality of upper and lower wedge-shaped pieces, each of said upper wedge-shaped pieces being connected between one of said upright posts and a respective one of said upper cap members, each of said lower wedge-shaped pieces being connected between one of said upright posts and a respective one of said lower cap members.

9. The modular fence device of claim 8, wherein each of said upper wedge-shaped pieces has an inclined wall inclining with respect to a corresponding one of said upright posts and in abutment with said upper transverse end plate of a respective said upper cap member, and each of said lower wedge-shaped pieces has an inclined wall inclining with respect to a corresponding one of said upright posts and in abutment with said lower transverse end plate of a respective said lower cap member.