Fence bracket system and fence system using the fence bracket system

A bracket system for assembling a fence that includes posts and fence sections having rails and one of slats or pickets, the bracket system comprising:

• a one-piece post bracket including a first projecting portion, a second projecting portion, and at least one of:
• barbs for securing the one-piece post bracket to a post;
• and
• securing openings configured to receive a fastener for securing the one-piece post bracket to a post;
• the first projecting portion extending in one direction and the second projecting portion extending a different direction;
• the first projecting portion comprising a first opening and the second projecting portion comprising a second opening, wherein the first and second projecting portions are one of fixed to the one-piece post bracket and integrally formed with the one-piece post bracket;
• each of the first and second projecting portions having a width that is less than an overall width of the one-piece post bracket, whereby the width is measured in a direction that is parallel to a center axis running through an internal opening of the one-piece post bracket;
• a first rail bracket including a first end movably connected to the first projecting portion, a second end that is securable to a rail, and at least one of:
• barbs for securing the first rail bracket to the rail;
• and
• securing openings configured to receive fasteners for securing the first rail bracket to the rail;
• a second rail bracket including a first end movably connected to the second projecting portion, a second end that is securable to another rail, and at least one of:
• barbs for securing the second rail bracket to the other rail;
• and
• securing openings configured to receive fasteners for securing the second rail bracket to the other rail;
• the first end of the first rail bracket comprising a third opening;
• the first end of the second rail bracket comprising a fourth opening;
• the internal opening of the one-piece post bracket being sized and shaped to receive therein the post;
• the one-piece post bracket comprising one of:
• at least two edges which can move towards one another when the one-piece post bracket is secured to the post;
• and
• at least two surfaces which can move towards one another when the one-piece post bracket is secured to the post;
• each of the first and second rail brackets being configured to slide over or onto an end of a respective rail prior to being secured thereto;
• a first fastener coupling the first projecting portion to the first rail bracket when the first and third openings are aligned with each other;
• and
• a second fastener coupling the second projecting portion to the second rail bracket when the second and fourth openings are aligned with each other.

A fence system comprising:

• a plurality of bracket systems;
• each bracket system comprising a one-piece bent sheet metal post bracket that includes a first projecting portion and a second projecting portion, the post bracket being securable to a post via fasteners or barbs, the first projecting portion extending in one direction and the second projecting portion extending a different direction, a bent sheet metal first rail bracket including a first end securable to the first projecting portion and a second end that is securable to a rail, a bent sheet metal second rail bracket including a first end securable to the second projecting portion and a second end that is securable to another rail, the post bracket defining an internal opening which can receive therein a post, each of the first and second rail brackets being securable to a respective rail via fasteners or barbs, wherein the post bracket comprises one of at least two edges which can move towards one another when the post bracket is secured to the post, at least two surfaces which can move towards one another when the post bracket is secured to the post, and a one-piece member having uniformly thick sidewalls;
• posts each having at least two of the post brackets mounted thereto;
• rails each having a first and a second rail bracket mounted thereto;
• a fastener coupling each first projecting portion to each first rail bracket;
• and
• a fastener coupling each second projecting portion to each second rail bracket,
• wherein each of the first and second projecting portions is one of fixed to each post bracket and integrally formed with each post bracket, and further comprising at least one of:
• each of the first and second projecting portions of a respective post bracket having a width that is less than an overall width of the respective post bracket, whereby the width is measured in a direction that is parallel to a center axis running through an internal opening of the respective post bracket;
• and
• the first projecting portion of a respective post bracket comprising a first opening and the second projecting portion of the respective post bracket comprising a second opening, wherein the first and second openings are aligned with each other such that a distance between a center of the first opening and an upper edge of the respective post bracket is equal to a distance between a center of the second opening and the upper edge of the respective post bracket, whereby each distance is measured in a direction that is parallel to a center axis running through an internal opening of the respective post bracket.

A bracket system for assembling a fence that includes posts and rails, the bracket system comprising:

• a bent sheet metal post bracket that is securable to a post:
• the post bracket comprises a first projecting portion and a second projecting portion:
• each of the first and second projecting portions being formed by cutting and bending portions of the sheet metal forming the post bracket;
• the first projecting portion extending in one direction and the second projecting portion extending a different direction;
• the first projecting portion comprising a first opening and the second projecting portion comprising a second opening wherein the first and second openings are aligned with each other such that a distance between a center of the first opening and an upper edge of the post bracket is equal to a distance between a center of the second opening and the upper edge of the post bracket, whereby each distance is measured in a direction that is parallel to a center axis running through an internal opening of the post bracket;
• a bent sheet metal first rail bracket that includes a first end which is securable to the first projecting portion and a second end that is securable to a rail;
• a bent sheet metal second rail bracket that includes a first end which is securable to the second projecting portion and a second end that is securable to another rail;
• the first end of the first rail bracket comprising a third opening;
• the first end of the second rail bracket comprising a fourth opening;
• the post bracket comprising one of:
• at least two edges which can move towards one another when the post bracket is secured to the post;
• and
• at least two surfaces which can move towards one another when the post bracket is secured to the post;
• a one-piece member having uniformly thick sidewalls:
• the post bracket being configured to receive therein the post:
• the post bracket and each of the first and second rail brackets including at least one of:
• at least one securing opening configured to receive a securing fastener;
• and
• at least one integrally formed securing barb;
• each of the first and second projecting portions comprises at least one integrally formed projecting tab;
• the post bracket has a generally uniform thickness of between approximately {fraction (1/20)} inches and ⅕ inches;
• each of the integrally formed projecting tabs comprises a curved end;
• each first end of the first and second rail brackets comprises a curved end;
• the bracket system further comprises two fasteners, one of the two fasteners being arranged to connect the first rail bracket to the first projecting portion via the first and third openings and another of the two fasteners being arranged to connect the second rail bracket to the second projecting portion via the second and fourth openings;
• the first and second rail brackets are unitary members and are movably mounted to the first and second projecting portions;
• each of the integrally formed projecting tabs has a width which is less than an overall width of the post bracket;
• and
• the internal opening of the post bracket is defined by at least two first parallel walls and at least two second parallel walls that are perpendicular to the at least two first parallel walls,
• wherein, prior to being secured thereto, each of the first and second rail brackets can slide over or unto an end of a respective rail.