Fence slat locking system and method
US5465941A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 4, 1993 |
| Grant date | Nov 14, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 4, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE04H17/066
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A fence slat locking system includes elongated plastic slats weaved between consecutive links in a chain link fence. Each slat has a wall that is curved at the lateral sides. The bottom end of the slat is notched on opposite lateral sides defining a set of slat ears. A rail is weaved horizontally between the links of the chain link fence and attached with the bottom end of each slat. By inserting the bottom end of the slat vertically downward into a rail slot, the slat ears start to flatten moving the curved tips laterally away from the central longitudinal axis of the slat. Inserting the slat further vertically downward into the rail channel allow the slat ears to snap back into their original curved cross-sectional profile allowing the curved tips of the slat ears to snap back underneath a retaining section in the rail. The "snap back" action automatically locks the fence slat into the rail.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.