Picket fence cap assembly
AssigneeCertainTeed Corporation
InventorStephen W. Steffes
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A clip-on assembly that can resist detachment of a plastic picket cap member from a plastic picket member when significant pulling force is applied to the cap member. The assembly includes a single clip constructed as a bushing-like member whose side walls are preferably provided with at least one outwardly projecting retention barb adapted for secure embedment into the inner side wall surfaces of a picket member when the assembly is inserted therein. The legs of the cap member upon which the clip is installed are very stiff by virtue of being reinforced by plates that resist deflection of the legs when inserted in the clip. The reinforcement plates are preferably dimensioned to inhibit inward flexure of the side walls of the clip and ensure embedment of the retention barb into the picket member.
Claims13
A cap assembly for a hollow plastic fence picket member, said assembly comprising:
- a plastic cap member including a top portion and end legs downwardly depending from said top portion and adapted for insertion into a picket member;
- and
- a clip including a sleeve portion having contiguous side walls and end walls and bounded on an upper edge thereof by an outwardly directed flange portion having a bottom surface adapted to rest atop an upper edge of a picket member, said clip further including retention means for contacting inner surfaces of side walls of a picket member when the cap assembly is inserted therein.
A plastic fence picket comprising:
- a hollow plastic fence picket member;
- and
- a cap assembly for said picket member comprising:
- a plastic cap member including a top portion and end legs downwardly depending from said top portion and adapted for insertion into a picket member;
- and
- a clip including a sleeve portion having contiguous side walls and end walls and bounded on an upper edge thereof by an outwardly directed flange portion having a bottom surface adapted to rest atop an upper edge of a picket member, said clip further including retention means for contacting inner surfaces of side walls of a picket member when the cap assembly is inserted therein.
In a cap assembly for a hollow plastic fence picket member, the assembly comprising a plastic cap member including a top portion and end legs downwardly depending from said top portion and adapted for insertion into the picket member, a clip adapted to be carried by the end legs and comprising:
- a sleeve portion having contiguous side walls and end walls and bounded on an upper edge thereof by an outwardly directed flange portion having a bottom surface adapted to rest atop an upper edge of a picket member, said clip further including retention means for contacting inner surfaces of side walls of a picket member when the cap assembly is inserted therein.
The clip of claim further comprising means for interlocking said clip onto the end legs.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.