Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
239 words
In a fence structure consisting of similar interconnectable fence panels each provided with at least two laterally spaced upright members wherein a pair of spaced-apart, vertically aligned means each defining plural pinreceiving openings are attached to one upright member and a correspondingly spaced-apart and aligned pair of downwardly extending fastening pins are attached to the other upright member of one such panel the pin receiving openings being arranged to slidably receive the downwardly extending fastening pins of an adjacent such panel, the improvement wherein each of the means defining plural pinreceiving openings comprises a unitary strap substantially encircling the upright member of the one panel and having plural corrugations, each strap engaging the upright member along each corrugation to form with the surface of the uprigHt member a plurality of pairs of apertures in vertical alignment with each other, weld means securing each strap to its upright member at each location of engagement of the strap with the member, the plurality of apertures defined by each strap and the upright member each being of a size somewhat greater than the fastening pins received therein so that simultaneously inserting the aligned pins of other such panels in the aligned apertures to connect such panels together is facilitated, and one or more of such panels, connected to a common upright, are easily pivoted with respect to the upright as a result of the loose fit between the pins and the apertures.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
239 words
In a fence structure consisting of similar interconnectable fence panels each provided with at least two laterally spaced upright members wherein a pair of spaced-apart, vertically aligned means each defining plural pinreceiving openings are attached to one upright member and a correspondingly spaced-apart and aligned pair of downwardly extending fastening pins are attached to the other upright member of one such panel the pin receiving openings being arranged to slidably receive the downwardly extending fastening pins of an adjacent such panel, the improvement wherein each of the means defining plural pinreceiving openings comprises a unitary strap substantially encircling the upright member of the one panel and having plural corrugations, each strap engaging the upright member along each corrugation to form with the surface of the uprigHt member a plurality of pairs of apertures in vertical alignment with each other, weld means securing each strap to its upright member at each location of engagement of the strap with the member, the plurality of apertures defined by each strap and the upright member each being of a size somewhat greater than the fastening pins received therein so that simultaneously inserting the aligned pins of other such panels in the aligned apertures to connect such panels together is facilitated, and one or more of such panels, connected to a common upright, are easily pivoted with respect to the upright as a result of the loose fit between the pins and the apertures.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said apertures formed by the straps and the surface of the upright member are each substantially semi-circular in cross-section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the size of each of said apertures, as measured between the surface of the upright and a respective ridge of a strap, is substantially equal to the height of a strap.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein, said unitary strap has ends, and said weld means further secures the ends of the strap to said one upright member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
260 words
In a fence construction having a plurality of similar interconnectable panels, each such panel comprising, in combination: a. a first upright member b. a second upright member laterally spaced from and joined to the first upright member c. a pair of similar spaced-apart, vertically aligned pin-receiving fasteners attached to the first upright member, each comprising a unitary strap substantially encircling the first upright member and provided with plural transverse corrugations each adjacent the surface of the first upright member to form with the surface of the first upright member a plurality of pairs of apertures in generally vertical alignment respectively with the corresponding apertures of the other of the pair of pin-receiving fasteners, weldment means securing each strap to said first upright member along each of the plural corrugations, and d. a pair of fastening pins, smaller in size than the apertures for slidable engagement with apertures of an adjacent such panel, attached to the second upright member, and extending downward in vertical alignment with each other, said pins being vertically spaced apart a distance to be simultaneously inserted into aligned ones of the apertures of other such panels, e. said pins, of smaller diameter than said apertures, providing a loose fit with the apertures so that simultaneously inserting the aligned pins of other such panels in the aligned apertures to connect such panels together is facilitated, and one or more of such panels, connected to a common upright, are easily pivoted with respect to the upright as a result of the loose fit between the pins and the apertures.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
260 words
In a fence construction having a plurality of similar interconnectable panels, each such panel comprising, in combination: a. a first upright member b. a second upright member laterally spaced from and joined to the first upright member c. a pair of similar spaced-apart, vertically aligned pin-receiving fasteners attached to the first upright member, each comprising a unitary strap substantially encircling the first upright member and provided with plural transverse corrugations each adjacent the surface of the first upright member to form with the surface of the first upright member a plurality of pairs of apertures in generally vertical alignment respectively with the corresponding apertures of the other of the pair of pin-receiving fasteners, weldment means securing each strap to said first upright member along each of the plural corrugations, and d. a pair of fastening pins, smaller in size than the apertures for slidable engagement with apertures of an adjacent such panel, attached to the second upright member, and extending downward in vertical alignment with each other, said pins being vertically spaced apart a distance to be simultaneously inserted into aligned ones of the apertures of other such panels, e. said pins, of smaller diameter than said apertures, providing a loose fit with the apertures so that simultaneously inserting the aligned pins of other such panels in the aligned apertures to connect such panels together is facilitated, and one or more of such panels, connected to a common upright, are easily pivoted with respect to the upright as a result of the loose fit between the pins and the apertures.