FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to picket fence assemblies and, more particularly, relates to a picket fence assembly operably configured to be assembled from multiple individual component members.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many users utilize fences to enclose a space or area for privacy, safety, defining a boundary, or other reasons. There are many types of fences, but one desired type of fence is a picket fence assembly, which can be generally described as a series of elongated and vertically oriented boards or boundary members each coupled to one or more horizontal rails and/or vertical support posts. Most of those known picket fence assemblies require large or appreciable gaps or spaces between adjacent or neighboring boards. Further, many known picket fence assemblies also require the vertical support posts to be visually depicted as part of the assembly, which many users find undesirable. Additionally, many known picket fence assemblies utilize rails that are coupled to the front or rear surfaces of the support post (as depicted and illustrated in FIG. 1), thereby generating a wider design and providing more accessibility to remove boards and increasing the security risks associated with said designs. Furthermore, most if not all known picket fence assemblies do not effectively efficiently provide users the ability to quickly install a fence assembly or to install over uneven ground surfaces.

Therefore, a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art as discussed above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a privacy picket fence assembly that overcomes the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices and methods of this general type and that enables quick, effective, and efficient installation and use of the fence assembly. Further, the invention also enables flush attachment of the picket members to the support post(s), bracket(s), and/or rail(s) through use of specially designed and configured brackets to hold the support rails. Additionally, the invention may also enable the support rails to pivot with respect to the support posts to effective and efficiently accommodate the topography and/or grade of the ground surfaces to which the posts are installed on. With the foregoing and other objects in view, there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a privacy picket fence assembly having a first elongated support post and a second elongated support post, wherein the first and second elongated support posts each have a lower post end, an upper post end opposing the lower post end, a post length separating the lower and upper post ends, a front post surface spanning the post length, a rear post surface opposing the front post surface and spanning the post length, a first side post surface spanning the post length, a second side post surface opposing the first side post surface, and a post width separating the first and second side post surfaces. The assembly also includes a first rail support bracket coupled to and projecting from the first side post surface of the second elongated support post and a second rail support bracket coupled to and projecting from the second side post surface of the first elongated support post and in a direction toward the first rail support bracket, wherein the first and second rail support brackets each have opposing side surfaces defining a maximum bracket width less than or equal to the post width. The assembly also includes an elongated support rail coupled to the first and second rail support brackets in a male-female coupling configuration and a plurality of elongated picket members each disposed in an adjacent overlapping configuration with one another and having at least one fastener selectively removably coupling the picket member to at least one of the first elongated support post, the second elongated support post, the first rail support bracket, the second rail support bracket, and the elongated support rail.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the front and rear post surfaces and the first and second side post surfaces of the first and second elongated supports posts are substantially planar.

In accordance with another feature of the present invention, the first and second side post surfaces of the first and second elongated supports posts are disposed in a substantially parallel orientation with one another and with the opposing side surfaces of each of the first and second rail support brackets.

In accordance with an exemplary feature of the present invention, the first and second rail support brackets each include a tubular enclosed structure.

In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the present invention includes the elongated support rail of a tubular enclosed structure and also including two opposing ends each defining hollow cavities with one of the first and second rail support brackets disposed therein and retained with a fastener.

In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the present invention also includes first and second rail support brackets each having a base plate directly coupled to the respective elongated support post and a rail attachment member pivotably coupled to the base plate, wherein the rail attachment member is disposed within the hollow cavity of one of the respective two opposing ends of the elongated support rail and retained thereto with the fastener.

In accordance with yet another feature, an embodiment of the present invention also includes the first and second rail support brackets each having a base plate directly coupled to the respective elongated support post and a rail attachment member pivotably coupled to the base plate, wherein the rail attachment member is coupled in the male-female coupling configuration with one of two opposing ends of the elongated support rail and retained thereto with a fastener.

In accordance with an additional feature, an embodiment of the present invention also includes the base plate of the first and second rail support brackets having a rear plate member having a rear surface, a front surface, and two flange plate members projecting outwardly from the front surface of the rear plate member and defining an attachment channel between the two flange plate members, wherein the rail attachment member defines a pivoting fastener channel of a length substantially equal to a length of the attachment channel and with a pivoting fastener disposed in the pivoting fastener channel.

In accordance with a further feature, an embodiment of the present invention also includes at least one of the two flange plate members further defining a countersink recess with a head of the pivoting fastener disposed therein.

Also in accordance with the present invention, a privacy picket fence assembly is disclosed that includes a first elongated support post and a second elongated support post, wherein the first and second elongated support posts each have a lower post end, an upper post end opposing the lower post end, a post length separating the lower and upper post ends, a front post surface spanning the post length, a rear post surface opposing the front post surface and spanning the post length, a first side post surface spanning the post length, a second side post surface opposing the first side post surface, and a post width separating the first and second side post surfaces. Additionally, the assembly includes a plurality of first rail support brackets coupled to and projecting from the first side post surface of the second elongated support post at two different respective locations along the post length and a plurality of second rail support brackets coupled to and projecting from the second side post surface of the first elongated support post at two different respective locations along the post length, wherein the plurality of first and second rail support brackets each have opposing side surfaces defining a maximum bracket width less than or equal to the post width. The assembly also includes a first elongated support rail coupled to one of the plurality of first and second rail support brackets in a male-female coupling configuration and a second elongated support rail coupled to another of the plurality of first and second rail support brackets in a male-female coupling configuration, wherein the first and second elongated support rails are disposed in a parallel orientation with one another. Further, the assembly includes a plurality of elongated picket members each disposed in an adjacent overlapping configuration with one another, having a first fastener selectively removably coupling the picket member to at least one of the first elongated support post, the second elongated support post, the first rail support bracket, the second rail support bracket, the first elongated support rail, the second elongated support rail, and having a second fastener selectively removably coupling the picket member to at least one of the first elongated support post, the second elongated support post, the first rail support bracket, the second rail support bracket, the first elongated support rail, and the second elongated support rail.

Also in accordance with the present invention, a privacy picket fence assembly is disclosed that includes a first elongated support post and a second elongated support post, wherein the first and second elongated support posts each have a lower post end, an upper post end opposing the lower post end, a post length separating the lower and upper post ends, a front post surface spanning the post length, a rear post surface opposing the front post surface and spanning the post length, a first side post surface spanning the post length, a second side post surface opposing the first side post surface, a post width separating the first and second side post surfaces. The assembly includes a first rail support bracket with a base plate operably configured to couple to and project from the first side post surface of the second elongated support post and having opposing side surfaces defining a maximum bracket width less than or equal to the post width. Further, the assembly includes a second rail support bracket with a base plate operably configured to couple to and project from the first side post surface of the second elongated support post and having opposing side surfaces defining a maximum bracket width less than or equal to the post width, a third rail support bracket with a base plate operably configured to couple to and project from the second side post surface of the first elongated support post and having opposing side surfaces defining a maximum bracket width less than or equal to the post width and a fourth rail support bracket with a base plate operably configured to couple to and project from the second side post surface of the first elongated support post and having opposing side surfaces defining a maximum bracket width less than or equal to the post width. The assembly also includes a first elongated support rail with opposing ends shaped and sized to couple with the first rail support bracket and the third rail support bracket in a male-female coupling configuration, a second elongated support rail with opposing ends shaped and sized to couple with the second rail support bracket and the fourth rail support bracket in a malefemale coupling configuration, and a plurality of elongated picket members each with an uneven picket width profile operably configured to enable an adjacent overlapping and substantially aligned configuration with one another and of a picket member length at least 75% of the post length. In accordance with a further feature, an embodiment of the present invention also includes the plurality of elongated picket members each defining a plurality of enclosed picket apertures defined thereon and separated a longitudinal length away from one another.

In accordance with a further feature, an embodiment of the present invention also includes the first and second elongated support rails each defining a support rail length separating the opposing ends thereon, the support rail lengths of each of the first and second elongated support rails are substantially equal to one another.

In accordance with an additional feature, an embodiment of the present invention also includes the first, second, third, and fourth rail support brackets each having a rail attachment member pivotably coupled to the base plate and operably configured to rotate at least 90° thereto.

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a privacy picket fence assembly, it is, nevertheless, not intended to be limited to the details shown because various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention.

Other features that are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention. While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. The figures of the drawings are not drawn to scale.

Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. The term “providing” is defined herein in its broadest sense, e.g., bringing/coming into physical existence, making available, and/or supplying to someone or something, in whole or in multiple parts at once or over a period of time. Also, for purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left,” “rear,” “right,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof relate to the invention as oriented in the figures and is not to be construed as limiting any feature to be a particular orientation, as said orientation may be changed based on the user’s perspective of the device. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. As used herein, the term “wall” is intended broadly to encompass continuous structures, as well as, separate structures that are coupled together so as to form a substantially continuous external surface.

As used herein, the terms “about” or “approximately” apply to all numeric values, whether or not explicitly indicated. These terms generally refer to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited values (i.e., having the same function or result). In many instances these terms may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure. In this document, the term “longitudinal” should be understood to mean in a direction corresponding to an elongated direction of the picket members or support posts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 1 depicts top plan views of known privacy picket fence assemblies;

FIG. 2 depicts top plan views of a privacy picket fence assembly with a series of picket members coupled to a front surface and front and rear surfaces thereon in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3 depicts top plan views of a privacy picket fence assembly with a series of picket members coupled to a front surface and front and rear surfaces thereon in accordance with other embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4 depicts top plan views of a privacy picket fence assembly with a series of picket members coupled to a front surface and front and rear surfaces thereon in accordance with other embodiments of the present invention; FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of supports posts, rail support brackets, and support rails forming the infrastructure to which a plurality of elongated picket members are coupled in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 6-13 are perspective views of various support posts, rail support brackets, and support rails in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a perspective fragmentary view of a privacy picket fence assembly accommodating a sloped ground surface in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a close-up and partially exploded view of section 15-15 in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a close-up and partially exploded view of a support post, rail support bracket, support rail, and picket member in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 17-19 depict perspective views of a rail support bracket in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a front elevational view of a privacy picket fence assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a front elevational view of a privacy picket fence assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a front elevational view of a privacy picket fence assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a front elevational view of a privacy picket fence assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 23 is a top plan view of a support rail rotatably coupled to two rail support brackets in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 24 is a perspective close-up view of section 24-24 in FIG. 23 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 25 is a top plan view of a support rail rotatably coupled to two rail support brackets in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 26 is a perspective close-up view of section 26-26 in FIG. 25 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a rail support bracket in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 28 is a top plan view of a gate assembly utilized with the privacy picket fence assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 29 is a front elevational view of the gate assembly in FIG. 28 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. It is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms.

The present invention provides a novel and efficient privacy picket fence assembly that enables users to quickly, effectively, and efficiently install and assemble said picket fence assembly and enable flush attachment of the boundary picket members thereto and to accommodate various ground surface grades.

Referring now to FIG. 2, one embodiment of the present invention is shown with top plan views. FIG. 2, along with the other figures depicted herein, shows several advantageous features of the present invention, but, as will be described below, the invention can be provided in several shapes, sizes, combinations of features and components, and varying numbers and functions of the components. The first example of a as shown in FIG. 2, includes a privacy picket fence assembly 200 having four main components utilized to install and assemble the assembly 200, i.e., support posts 202a-n (wherein “n” represents any number greater than one), support brackets 216a-n, support rails 220a-n, and picket members 226a-n. As depicted in FIG. 2, the picket members 226a-n may be beneficially installed on the front side of the assembly 200 (as shown in the top portion of FIG. 2) or on both the front and rear sides of the assembly 200 (as shown in the bottom portion of FIG. 2). FIGS. 3-4 also depict alternative embodiments of the invention in different configurations with the picket members installed on the front side, and front rear sides, therein. It should be understood that terms such as, “front,” “rear,” “side,” top,” “bottom,” and the like are indicated from the reference point of a viewer viewing the fence assembly depicted in the figures.

With reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, the assembly 200 can be seen having a first elongated support post 202a and a second elongated support post 202n, wherein those of skill in the art will appreciate that most practical applications of the fence assembly 200 will utilize more than two support posts 202a-n to facilitate in enclosing, surrounding, or otherwise creating a boundary. The support posts 202a-n are elongated in that they have an overall length that is greater than or equal to a cross-sectional width of the post. The elongated support posts 202a, 202n each having a lower post end 500, an upper post end 204 opposing the lower post end 500, a post length 502 separating the lower and upper post ends 500, 204, a front post surface 206 spanning the post length, a rear post surface 208 opposing the front post surface 206 and spanning the post length, a first side post surface 210 spanning the post length, a second side post surface 212 opposing the first side post surface 210, and a post width 214 separating the first and second side post surfaces 210, 212. In one embodiment, the overall length, or post length 502, is approximately 2-8ft and the overall thickness, or post width 214, is approximately 2-12in.

In one embodiment, the front and rear post surfaces 206, 208 and the first and second side post surfaces 210, 212 of the first and second elongated supports posts 202a-n are substantially planar (as depicted in the figures) to effectuate a secure attachment of the brackets 216a-n thereto, e.g., using a fastener 606 as illustrated in FIG. 6. In preferred embodiments, the brackets 216a-n have two opposing flanges each sized and shaped to lay flat on the substantially planar surfaces of the support posts 202a-n and be secured thereto with a fastener (e.g., a selfthreading fastener). In additional embodiments, the first and second side post surfaces 210, 212 of the first and second elongated supports posts 202a-n are disposed in a substantially parallel orientation with one another and with the opposing side surfaces 600, 602 of each of the first and second rail support brackets 300, 302 (best illustrated in FIG. 2). In some embodiments, best shown in FIG. 3, they are all coplanar with one another.

The support posts 202a-n, support brackets 216a-n, support rails 220a-n, and picket members 226a-n are preferably of a metallic, waterproof or water resistant, and lightweight material, e.g., aluminum. As depicted in the figures, the support posts 202a-n, a portion of the support brackets 216a-n, and the support rails 220a-n are also of a tubular structure that may define a hollow channel that may be enclosed by the walls of the tubular structure. In one embodiment, the lower post end 500 may be tapered to a point to facilitate effective and efficient insertion into the ground surface. With reference to FIGS. 2-3 and FIG. 6, the assembly 200 utilizes a first rail support bracket 300 coupled to and projecting from the first side post surface 210 of the second elongated support post 202n and a second rail support bracket 302 coupled to and projecting from the second side post surface 212 of the first elongated support post 202a and in a direction toward the first rail support bracket 300, i.e., the assembly 200 will utilize brackets (e.g., brackets 300, 302) that face each other (at least partially) so a support rail 220 can be horizontally coupled thereto. Beneficially, the first and second rail support brackets 300, 302 each having opposing side surfaces 600, 602 defining a maximum bracket width 604 less than or equal to the post width 214. Said another way, the width of the brackets 300 relative to the posts 202a-n allows for flush placement of picket members 226a-n on the backside and/or front side of the posts 202a-n.

The elongated support rail(s), e.g., support rail 220, can be seen coupled to the first and second rail support brackets 300, 302 in a male-female coupling configuration, e.g., with a portion of the bracket 300 inserted into a hollow chamber or channel defined on the support rail, e.g., support rail 220. The plurality of elongated picket members 226a-n are each disposed in an adjacent overlapping configuration with one another when installed, and each have one or more fasteners, e.g., fastener 1500 depicted in FIG. 15, selectively removably coupling the picket member to one, some, or all of the first elongated support post 202a, the second elongated support post 202n, the first rail support bracket 300, the second rail support bracket 302, and the elongated support rail 220. In one embodiment, the tubular structure of the support posts 202a-n, the rail support brackets 300, 302, and the elongated support rails 220a-n enable the fastener to be threadedly coupled thereto effectively and efficiently. The first and second elongated support rails 220, 504 may also each define a support rail length separating the opposing ends 222, 224 thereon, wherein the support rail lengths of each of the first and second elongated support rails 220, 504 are substantially equal to one another.

In one embodiment, the picket members 226a-n are overlapping and stacked on each other as illustrated in FIG. 20 or overlapping and non-stacked with one another as depicted in FIGS. 21-22. In one embodiment, best seen in FIGS. 14-16 and FIG. 20, the plurality of elongated picket members 226a-n each have an uneven picket width profile operably configured to enable an adjacent overlapping and substantially aligned configuration with one another and each have a picket member length 2000 that is at least 75% of the post length 502, e.g., the picket member length 2000 is 6ft and the post length 502 is 7ft.

With reference to FIGS. 2-3 and FIGS. 15-19, the first and second rail support brackets 300, 302 each include a tubular enclosed structure to enable quick, efficient, and space-saving attachment of the support rail thereto. For example, the elongated support rail 220 may be of a tubular enclosed structure and includes two opposing ends 222, 224 each defining hollow cavities or channels with one of the first and second rail support brackets 300, 302 disposed therein, wherein said opposing ends 222, 224 are selectively removably coupled thereto. In one embodiment, the dimensions of the elongated support rail 220 and the two opposing ends 222, 224 are substantially equal to one another, i.e., within +/- 1% variance to one another, to enable a snug and friction fit with one another. In some embodiments, the first and second rail support brackets 300, 302 may additionally or also be respectively coupled to an end of the support rail (directly or indirectly) and retained with a fastener, e.g., fastener 700.

The rail support brackets 300, 302, 400, 402 utilized in the assembly 200 may also be specially configured to have a base plate 1400 directly coupled to the respective elongated support post and have a rail attachment member 1402 pivotably coupled to the base plate 1400. One exemplary rotation position of the rail attachment member 1402 can be best seen in FIG. 14, wherein an exemplary rotation path (depicted with arrow 1600 in FIG. 16) of the rail attachment member 1402 is also depicted. The rotation path 1600 may be circular, curvilinear, or another path. The rail attachment member 1402 is also disposed within the hollow cavity of one of the opposing ends 222, 224 of the elongated support rail 220 and retained thereto with the fastener 700. The rail attachment member 1402 may also be coupled in the male-female coupling configuration with one of two opposing ends 222, 224 of the elongated support rail 220 and retained thereto with a fastener 700.

In one embodiment, the base plate 1400 includes a rear plate member 1700 that may be substantially planar and includes a rear surface 1702, a front surface 1704, and two flange plate members 1706a-b projecting outwardly from the front surface 1704 of the rear plate member 1700. The rear surface 1702, front surface 1704, and two flange plate members 1706a-b may also be substantially planar or plate-like. The two flange plate members 1706a- b beneficially define an attachment channel 1708 between them that will also be less than the post width 214, wherein the two flange plate members 1706a-b are preferably of a width less than 0.5in to enable a fastener to be quickly and effectively inserted therethrough and into the attachment channel 1708.

The fastener, e.g., fastener 1500, will beneficially couple the picket members 226a-n to a bracket via the flange plate member 1706, wherein the dashed aperture 1504 would be a location where the fastener 1500 would be coupled. In other embodiments, each of the picket members 226a-n may have a preformed aperture and the dashed aperture 1504 in one or both of the flange plate members 1706a-b would also be preformed. When the assembly 200 utilizes preformed apertures, they would be advantageously aligned with one another to facilitate in providing a user a guide to installing the picket members 226a-n at a desired height relative to the ground surface. Said another way, the plurality of elongated picket members 226a-n may each define a plurality of enclosed picket apertures defined thereon and separated a longitudinal length (e.g., 3 -4ft) away from one another. The atachment channel 1708 also beneficially enables a space (e.g., ,5-2in) for the rail atachment member 1402 and width of a support rail, e.g., support rail 220, to rotate or pivot into. The first, second, third, and fourth rail support brackets may also each include a rail atachment member 1402 pivotably coupled to the base plate 1400 and operably configured to rotate at least 90° thereto. As such, the assembly 200 will be beneficially able to accommodate various slopes or grades in the ground surface. In some embodiments, the rotation path 1600 may also enable rotation of around 180°. The rail atachment member 1402 may also define a pivoting fastener channel 1800 of a length substantially equal (+/- 5%) to a length of the atachment channel 1708 and with a pivoting fastener 1502 disposed in the pivoting fastener channel 1800. In additional embodiments, one or both of the two flange plate members 1706a-b may define a countersink recess 1710 with a head of the pivoting fastener 1502 disposed therein. Said another way, the countersink recess 1710 may be shaped and sized to receive the head portion of the pivoting fastener 1502, thereby maintaining that substantially flush configuration and design discussed herein.

With reference to FIGS. 20-22, elevational views of different privacy picket fence assembly configurations in accordance with the present invention are depicted. As seen in the figures, the plurality of enclosed picket apertures, e.g., apertures 2002, 2004, are defined thereon and separated a longitudinal length away from one another, along with exemplary fasteners 1500, 2006 disposed apertures formed on other picket members 226a-n. Also depicted are exemplary fixed rail support brackets 300a-n utilized in said assemblies.

With reference to FIGS. 23-27, views of a support rail rotatably or pivotably coupled to two rail support brackets are illustrated. Specifically, FIG. 23 and FIG. 25 are overhead plan views, wherein FIG. 24 and FIG. 26 are perspective close-up views of the sections 24-24, 26-26, in FIG. 23 and FIG. 25, respectively. FIG. 27 a perspective view of a rail support bracket in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIGS. 23-27 depict components of the assembly enabling horizontal rotation (e.g., relative to the ground surface or elongated direction of the support rails 220a-n) of the support rails 220a-n, as opposed to vertical rotation (e.g., relative to the ground surface or elongated direction of the support posts 202a-n).

With reference to FIGS. 28-29, said figures depict views of a gate assembly 2800 utilized with the privacy picket fence assembly 200. The gate assembly 2800 also beneficially utilizes a tubular structure and brackets enabling quick and effective installation and use of the gate assembly 2800. To that end, the user may assembly the assembly 200 may first installing the support posts 202a-n in a desired configuration spaced apart from one another approximately the length of the support rails 220a-n. Next, the user may install the brackets 216a-n as discussed and depicted herein, wherein one of the brackets 216a-n will be preferably installed on an uninstalled end of a support rail 220a-n that is then coupled to an opposing support post 202a-n. Thereafter, the user may attach the picket members 226a-n in the desired configuration.

Although a specific order of executing process steps has been described and depicted herein, the order of executing the steps may be changed relative to the order shown in certain embodiments. Also, two or more steps described or shown as occurring in succession may be executed concurrently or with partial concurrence in some embodiments. Certain steps may also be omitted for the sake of brevity. In some embodiments, some or all of the process steps can be combined into a single process.

Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, while the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this disclosure also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the above described features.