RACKABLE GATE KIT

Abstract

Kits for assembling rackable gates are provided. The kits comprise a pair of gate uprights, each gate upright comprising a tubular elongate member and a bracket. The tubular elongate member comprises apertures configured to accept a fence panel rail therethrough and into an elongate channel situated on an interior surface therein and configured to securely receive an end of the fence panel rail such that lateral and torsional movement of said fence panel rail is restricted. The bracket comprises a pair of bracket arms attached to an exterior surface of the tubular elongate member, each situated directly opposite the other with an aperture situated therebetween and configured to accommodate a fastener for fastening a fence panel rail thereto. Also provided are methods for assembling gates from such kits and gates assembled from such kits and by such methods.

Claims

1.-20. (canceled)

21. A method of assembling a rackable gate including a fence panel having a plurality of elongate rails, the method comprising: providing at least one gate upright comprising a tubular elongate member having one or more first apertures, providing a bracket proximal to at least one of the first apertures, the bracket comprising a base plate and a pair of bracket arms extending from the base plate; inserting first ends of the plurality of elongate rails through corresponding first apertures of a first gate upright of the pair of gates uprights; positioning at least one rail gripper between each of the pair of bracket arms of the first gate upright and the elongate rail situated therebetween; orienting the fence panel at a selected racking angle; and inserting a fastener through a second aperture of each bracket arm to secure the first gate upright to the fence panel at the selected racking angle.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the first apertures are aligned along a length thereof.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the tubular elongate member of the pair of gate uprights further comprises an elongate channel situated on an interior surface directly opposite the first apertures.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein upon inserting first ends the first ends are securely received in the elongate channel of the first gate upright.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein the positioning at least one rail gripper comprises positioning a first rail gripper and a second rail gripper.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising positioning the elongate rail of the fence panel between the first rail gripper and the second rail gripper.

27. The method of claim 25, further comprising placing the first rail gripper and the second rail gripper on opposite sides of the elongate rail

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the first rail gripper and second rail gripper are between respective bracket arms and the elongate rail.

29. The method of claim 21, further comprising installing a fastener through the elongate rail of the fence panel.

30. The method of claim 21, further comprising inserting a U-channel block into at least one of the elongate rails located between the bracket arms and tightening the fastener

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the U-channel block is inserted into at least one of the elongate rails proximal to the at least one rail gripper.

32. The method of claim 30, with the U-channel block is configured to prevent deformation of the elongate rail during tightening of the fastener.

33. The method of claim 30, wherein the U-channel block is inserted into an inverted U-channel of at least one of the elongate rails.

34. The method of claim 21, wherein the selected racking angle is less than or equal to 10 degrees.

35. The method of claim 21, wherein the at least one rail gripper comprises at least one predrilled hole.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the positioning the at least one rail gripper aligns the at least one pre-drilled hole with a second aperture of the corresponding bracket arm.

37. A rackable gate kit comprising: a fence panel having a plurality of elongate rails, each rail having a first end; at least one gate upright comprising a tubular elongate member, the tubular elongate member having one or more first apertures sized to receive at least one first ends of the plurality of elongate rails; a bracket disposed proximal to at least one of the first apertures, the bracket comprising a base plate and a pair of bracket arms extending from the base plate, each bracket arm including a second aperture; at least one rail gripper positioned between the pair of bracket arms and an elongate rail situated between the pair of bracket arms; and at least one fastener extending through the second aperture of each bracket arm and through the rail gripper to fixedly secure the elongate rail to the bracket, wherein the elongate rails extend through the first apertures and into the tubular elongate member, and wherein the elongate rails and the at least one gate upright are oriented at a selected racking angle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The foregoing and other aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein are best understood from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the embodiments disclosed herein, there is shown in the drawings embodiments that are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to the specific instrumentalities disclosed. Included in the drawings are the following figures:

[0018] FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C illustrate perspective, side, and top views of a gate upright according to embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein.

[0019] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate transverse cross sectional views of a gate upright according to embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein.

[0020] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate perspective views of a tubular elongate member and a bracket, respectively, according to embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein.

[0021] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a rail gripper according to embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein.

[0022] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate front elevation views of straight and racked fence panels, respectively, according to embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein.

[0023] FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate partial profile views of an assembly of a gate upright installed onto elongate rails of a fence panel according to embodiments of the present invention as disclosed herein.

[0024] FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate partial profile views of an assembly of a gate upright installed onto elongate rails of a fence panel according to embodiments of the present invention as disclosed herein.

[0025] FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate partial profile views of assembly of a gate upright installed onto elongate rails of a fence panel according to embodiments of the present invention as disclosed herein.

[0026] FIG. 9 illustrates a transverse cross sectional view of a gate upright according to embodiments of the present invention as disclosed herein.

[0027] FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate front elevation views of straight and racked gates, respectively, according to embodiments of the present invention as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] While embodiments of the present invention are described herein by way of example using several illustrative drawings, those skilled in the art will recognize the present invention is not limited to the embodiments or drawings described. It should be understood the drawings and the detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the present invention to the particular form disclosed, but to the contrary, the present invention is to cover all modification, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of embodiments of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0029] The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word may is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words include, including, and includes mean including, but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures.

[0030] The phrases at least one, one or more, and and/or are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions at least one of A, B and C, at least one of A, B, or C, one or more of A, B, and C, one or more of A, B, or C and A, B, and/or C means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B and C together.

[0031] The term a or an entity refers to one or more of that entity. As such, the terms a (or an), one or more and at least one can be used interchangeably herein. It is also to be noted that the terms comprising, including, and having can be used interchangeably.

[0032] An aspect of the present invention are kits for assembling rackable gates. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, these kits comprise a pair of gate uprights. Each gate upright comprises a tubular elongate member and a bracket. The tubular elongate member comprises a plurality of first apertures in alignment along its length. Each of the plurality of first apertures is configured to accept insertion of a fence panel rail therethrough and into an interior space of the tubular elongate member. The tubular elongate member further comprises an elongate channel situated on and extending a length of an interior surface of the tubular elongate member. The elongate channel is situated directly opposite the plurality of apertures and configured to securely receive an end of the inserted fence panel rail such that lateral and torsional movement of the fence panel rail is restricted when received therein. The bracket comprises a pair of bracket arms attached to an exterior surface of the tubular elongate member. Each of the pair of bracket arms are situated directly opposite the other with one of the first apertures situated therebetween. Each bracket arm comprises at least one second aperture configured to accommodate a fastener for fastening the inserted fence panel rail to the bracket.

[0033] Referring to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, the gate upright 100 in accordance with embodiments of the present invention depicted therein comprises a tubular elongate member 110 and a bracket 120. While the horizontal cross-sectional shape of tubular elongate member 110 depicted therein is square, they may have any desired horizontal cross-sectional shape. Examples of such further horizontal cross-sectional shapes, include, but is not limited to, circular, oval, hexagonal, etc. In certain embodiments, the horizontal cross-sectional shape of tubular elongate member 110 matches that of the posts of the barrier system to which a gate assembled from gate uprights 100 will be mounted. Tubular elongate member 110 may be of any desired length and/or cross sectional area. In certain embodiments, tubular elongate member 110 is 56.5 in length. In certain embodiments, tubular elongate member 110 further comprises a plurality of pre-drilled holes each situated and configured to accommodate a fastener for securing a fence panel rail to an interior surface of the tubular elongate member.

[0034] According to embodiments of the present invention, tubular elongate member 110 comprises a plurality of first apertures 130 aligned along its length, each of which is configured to accept insertion of a fence panel rail therethrough and into an interior space of tubular elongate member 110. Referring to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, while depicted therein as rectangular in shape, first apertures 130 may be of any desired shape. Examples of such further shapes, include, but are not limited to, circular, square, etc. In certain embodiments, while each first aperture 130 is, at a minimum, configured to accommodate a straight fence panel rail, each may in certain other embodiments be further configured to accommodate an upwardly and/or a downwardly racked fence panel rail. In certain embodiments, such configurations for accommodating an upwardly and/or downwardly racked fence panel rail may be obtained by providing each first aperture 130 with a longitudinal dimension greater than the vertical dimension of a fence panel rail such that that the fence panel rail will have sufficient clearance to be installed into gate upright 100 while racked upwardly or downwardly at a given angle. Referring to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, while depicted therein to have a total of three first apertures 130, tubular elongate member 110 may have any desired number of first apertures 130. In certain embodiments, tubular elongate member 110 has at least as many first apertures 130 as the number of fence panel rails onto which gate upright 100 will be installed. In certain other embodiments, tubular elongate member 110 has an identical number of first apertures 130 as the number of fence panel rails onto which gate upright 100 will be installed. According to embodiments of the present invention, first apertures 130 may be longitudinally aligned and positioned along the length of tubular elongate member 110 in any configuration. In certain embodiments, first apertures 130 may be longitudinally aligned and positioned along the length of tubular elongate member 110 such that they correspond to the relative positions of the fence panel rails onto which gate upright 100 will be installed, i.e., the spacing between first apertures 130 corresponds to the spacing between the fence panel rails. Referring to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, in certain embodiments a first aperture 130 may be situated proximal to the top end of tubular elongate member 110, another first aperture 130 may be situated proximal to the bottom end of tubular elongate member 110, and yet another first aperture 130 is situated intermediate to top and bottom first apertures 130 and proximal to first aperture 130 situated proximal to the top end of tubular elongate member 110. In certain embodiments, the distance between first aperture 130 situated proximal to the top end of tubular elongate member 110 and intermediate aperture 130 situated proximal thereto is approximately 4.875. In certain embodiments, the distance between the bottom end of tubular elongate member 110 and first aperture 130 situated proximal thereto is approximately 7.750.

[0035] Referring to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, bracket 120 is attached to an exterior surface of tubular elongate member 110 and comprises a pair of bracket arms 140. Each of bracket arms 140 are situated directly opposite the other with a first aperture 130 situated therebetween. Each bracket arm 140 comprises at least one second aperture 150 configured to accommodate a fastener for fastening an inserted fence panel rail to the bracket. Referring to FIGS. 1a, 1b, and 1c, bracket arms 140 are depicted therein as configured having two second apertures 150. However, in certain embodiments, each bracket arm 140 may each be configured to have a single second aperture 150. In certain other embodiments, each bracket arm 140 may each be configured to have more than two second apertures 150.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 2A, situated on and extending a length of an interior surface of tubular elongate member 110 is an elongate channel 160, which is configured to securely receive an end of an inserted fence panel rail such that its lateral and torsional movement is restricted when received therein. Elongate channel 160 is situated directly opposite first apertures 130. In certain embodiments, elongate channel 160 is defined by a pair of planes 170 extending longitudinally along an interior surface 180 tubular elongate member 110 and projecting inwardly into an interior space of tubular elongate member 110. As depicted in FIG. 2A, planes 170 may be angled away from each other to better promote secure receipt of a fence panel rail into elongate channel 160. Planes 170 may be angled away from each other to any desired configuration. In certain embodiments, each plane 170 is angled away from the other by 4.000 from parallel. In certain other embodiments, planes 170 may be configured parallel to each other. Referring to FIG. 2B, a fence panel rail end 190 inserted through first aperture 130 has been securely received into elongate channel 160 such that there is no gap between fence panel rail 190 and interior surface 180 of tubular elongate member 110.

[0037] Gate uprights 100 of the rackable gate kits according to embodiments of the present invention may be fabricated according to any desired process known in the art. Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, both the tubular elongate member 310 and bracket 320 may be fabricated from extruded aluminum. However, in certain other embodiments, both the tubular elongate member 310 and bracket 320 may alternatively be fabricated from any desired material. Examples of such materials include, but are not limited to, solid aluminum, other metals and alloys, wood rubber, plastic, and/or other materials known in the art. In certain embodiments, tubular elongate member 310 and bracket 320 may be fabricated from powder coated aluminum. In certain embodiments, first apertures 330 of tubular elongate member 310 may be formed via routing. In certain other embodiments, second apertures 350, and a further aperture 352, in bracket 320, may be formed via routing. In certain embodiments, aperture 352 may be configured to have dimensions identical or larger than a first aperture 330. In certain embodiments, one or more brackets may be attached to a surface of tubular elongate member 310 such that aperture 352 is positioned directly over a first aperture 330 and bracket arms 340 extend outwardly from the surface of tubular elongate member 310. The one or more brackets 320 may be attached to a surface of tubular elongate member 310 by any means known in the art, e.g., by welding. In certain embodiments, a single bracket 320 is attached to a surface of tubular elongate member 310 as described in the foregoing manner. In certain other embodiments, a single bracket 320 is attached to a surface of tubular elongate member 310 as described in the foregoing manner such that aperture 352 is positioned directly over an intermediate first aperture 330 so as to result in a gate upright 100 in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, as depicted in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C.

[0038] In addition to a pair of gate uprights 100, the rackable gate kits according to embodiments of the present invention may further comprise one or more additional components. In certain embodiments, such components may be selected from group consisting of rail grippers, hinges, gate stops, latches, fasteners, U-channel blocks, and post tops, or any combination thereof. Such further components may be of any type, design, style, and/or configuration known in the art. Examples the hinges include, but are not limited to, butterfly hinges, spring hinges, and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the latches may be gravity latches. In certain embodiments, the post tops may have a pyramidal configuration. Examples of fasteners include, but are not limited to, those configured to secure a fence panel rail to bracket 120, such as bolt, washer, and nut (e.g. acorn nut) systems, and those configured to secure a fence panel rail to an interior surface of tubular elongate member 110, e.g. screws. Referring to FIG. 4, rail gripper 400, which may be a further component in the rackable gate kits according to embodiments of the present invention, is configured to be positioned between a side of a fence panel rail and a bracket arm 140 prior to securing bracket arms 140 to the fence panel rail with one or more fasteners. In certain embodiments, rail gripper 400 may be configured with one or more predrilled holes 450 that positionally correspond to the one or more second apertures 150 when installed between a fence panel rail and a bracket arm 140. When thus installed, predrilled holes 450 may, if necessary, be used as a guide to drill one or more holes through a fence panel rail in order to facilitate installation of one or more fasteners therethrough. In certain embodiments, the rackable gate kits according to embodiments of the present invention may comprise a pair of rail grippers 400 so that each of the pair of rail grippers 400 can be positioned between opposing sides of a fence panel rail and a corresponding bracket arm 140 prior to fastening. In certain other embodiments, the rackable gate kits may comprise two pairs of rail grippers 400. In yet certain other embodiments, the rackable gate kits may comprise as many pairs of rail grippers 400 as there are brackets 120 on the gate uprights 100 present in the kit.

[0039] Another aspect of the present invention are methods of assembling a gate. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, these methods comprise the following six steps.

[0040] In a step one, a fence panel comprising a plurality of vertical pickets and a plurality of elongate rails extending transverse to the vertical pickets is provided. Each elongate rail has a first end and a second end opposite the first end. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, such fence panels may be any desired dimension. In certain embodiments, the fence panel may be up to 60 wide. In certain other embodiments, the fence panel may be up to 54 high. In certain embodiments, the fence panel may be straight. FIG. 5A illustrates a front elevation view of a straight fence panel 500a for use in embodiments in accordance with the present invention. In certain embodiments, the fence panel may be racked and/or rackable. FIG. 5B illustrates a front elevation view of a racked fence panel 500b for use in embodiments in accordance with the present invention. Examples of such racked and/or rackable fence panels that may be used in embodiments in accordance with the present invention include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,413,332 B2, 8,413,965 B2, and 9,551,164 B2, the disclosures of each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all useful purposes. In those embodiments where the fence panel of step one is racked, the fence panel may be racked upwardly or downwardly to any desired angle. In certain embodiments, the upward or downward racking angle of the fence panel may be any angle up to a maximum of 10. In certain other embodiments, the upward or downward racking angle of the fence panel may be any angle up to a maximum of 11. In certain embodiments, the fence panel may, prior to step one, be cut down to fit a particular gate opening in a fence. In certain embodiments where the gate will be racked, the fence panel may be racked to the desired angle prior to being cut down.

[0041] In a step two, a rackable gate kit according to embodiments of the present invention is provided. Each gate upright 100 of the pair provided therein comprises at least as many first apertures 130 as the number of elongate rails of the fence panel provided in step one. Furthermore, the spacing between the first apertures 130 corresponds to the spacing between the elongate rails.

[0042] In a step three, a first gate upright 100 from the rackable gate kit is installed onto the first ends 190 of the elongate rails by inserting each first end 190 through a corresponding first aperture 130 such that each first end 190 is securely received into the elongate channel 160 of the first gate upright 100, as depicted in FIG. 2B. In certain embodiments where the gate will be racked, the fence panel may be racked to the desired angle before, during, or after step three is performed. In certain embodiments, the racked fence panel may be temporarily secured at a desired racked angle by clamping the gate upright and nearest vertical picket together in order to prevent the panel from moving during subsequent steps. In certain embodiments, a pair of rail grippers 400 may be installed after step three but prior to step four for the purpose of augmenting the grip of bracket 120 on an elongate rail positioned therethrough. FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate partial profile views of an assembly 600 of a gate upright 100 installed onto the elongate rails of a fence panel undergoing installation of rail grippers 400. Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, rail grippers 400 may be placed on opposing sides of an elongate rail and then installed by sliding each rail gripper 400 between the elongate rail and a bracket arm 120 proximate thereto. In certain embodiments, each rail gripper 400 may be positioned such any predrilled holes 450 are aligned with the second apertures 150 of bracket arms 120, which may then be used as guides to drill corresponding holes through the elongate rail to allow for installation of fasteners therethrough.

[0043] In a step four, the first gate upright 100 may be secured to the fence panel by fastening the pair of bracket arms 140 of first gate upright 100 to an elongate rail situated therebetween with at least one fastener traversing one or more second apertures 150 of each bracket arm 140 and the fence panel rail. FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate partial profile views of an assembly 700 of gate upright 100 installed onto the elongate rails of a fence panel undergoing installation of fasteners. Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, in certain embodiments first gate upright 100 may be secured to the fence panel by installing bolt/washer/acorn nut fastener systems through the second apertures 150 of bracket arms 140, the predrilled holes 450 of rail grippers 400, and the corresponding holes predrilled through the elongate rail.

[0044] In a step five, step three is essentially repeated to the other end of the fence gate panel. The second gate upright 100 from the rackable gate kit is installed onto the second ends 190 of the elongate rails by inserting each first end 190 through a corresponding first aperture 130 such that each first end 190 is securely received into the elongate channel 160 of the first gate upright 100, as depicted in FIG. 2B. As in step three, a pair of rail grippers 400 may be installed after step five but prior to step six for the purpose of augmenting the grip of bracket 120 on an elongate rail positioned therethrough, as depicted in FIGS. 6A and 6B.

[0045] In a step six, step four is essentially repeated to the second gate upright 100 installed onto second ends 190 from step five. The second gate upright 100 may be secured to the fence panel by fastening the pair of bracket arms 140 of the second gate upright 100 to an elongate rail situated therebetween with a fastener traversing a second aperture 150 of each bracket arm 140 and the fence panel rail. Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, in certain embodiments second gate upright 100 may be secured to the fence panel by installing bolt/washer/acorn nut fastener systems through the second apertures 150 of bracket arms 140, the predrilled holes 450 of rail grippers 400, and the corresponding holes predrilled through the elongate rail.

[0046] In certain embodiments, the configuration of the elongate rails of the fence panel comprises hollow, inverted U-channels. In such embodiments, tightening down of the installed fastener (e.g., the bolt, washer, and nut) may result in deformation of the elongate rail and/or bracket arms 140. While this may be avoided in certain embodiments where a vertical picket of the fence panel is located between bracket arms 140, in certain other embodiments such deformation may be prevented by installation of a U-channel block. FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate partial profile views of an assembly 800 of gate upright 100 installed onto the elongate rails of a fence panel undergoing installation of a U-channel block. Referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, in certain embodiments a U-channel block 810 may be installed into the inverted U-channel 820 of the elongate rail located between bracket arms 140 prior to tightening down the fastener. Once U-channel block 810 is installed, the fastener may then be tightened down.

[0047] The method of assembling a gate in accordance with embodiments of the present invention may further comprise the step of securing each of the plurality of elongate rails to an interior surface of tubular elongate member 110 of each gate upright 100 by installing a fastener through each tubular elongate member 110 and into each elongate rail securely received into elongate channel 160. FIG. 9 illustrates a transverse cross sectional view of a gate upright according to embodiments of the present invention, wherein a fence panel rail end inserted through a first aperture has been securely received into the elongate channel. Referring to FIG. 9, fastener (e.g., a hex head screw) 900 can be installed through tubular elongate member 110, through plane 170, and into elongate rail 190. However, in certain other embodiments, the fastener 900 may alternatively be installed through tubular elongate member 110 and directly into elongate rail 190. In certain embodiments, fastener 900 is installed from a longitudinal edge of tubular elongate member 110. In certain embodiments, the holes for installation of fasteners 900 through tubular elongate member 110 is predrilled.

[0048] Another aspect of the present invention are gates assembled from the racking gate kits and according to the methods in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 10A illustrates a front elevation view of a straight gate 1000a assembled from the racking gate kits and according to the methods in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 10B illustrates a front elevation view of a racked gate 1000b assembled from the racking gate kits and according to the methods in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

[0049] The present invention, in various embodiments, configurations, and aspects, includes components, methods, processes, systems, and/or apparatus substantially as depicted and described herein, including various embodiments, sub-combinations, and subsets thereof. Those of skill in the art will understand how to make and use the present invention after understanding the present disclosure.

[0050] The present invention, in various embodiments, configurations, and aspects, includes providing devices and processes in the absence of items not depicted and/or described herein or in various embodiments, configurations, or aspects hereof, including in the absence of such items as may have been used in previous devices or processes, e.g., for improving performance, achieving ease, and/or reducing cost of implementation.

[0051] While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present disclosure, other and further embodiments of the present disclosure may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. It is understood that various embodiments described herein may be utilized in combination with any other embodiment described, without departing from the scope contained herein. Further, the foregoing description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed.

[0052] Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the disclosure. Certain exemplary embodiments may be identified by use of an open-ended list that includes wording to indicate that the list items are representative of the embodiments and that the list is not intended to represent a closed list exclusive of further embodiments. Such wording may include e.g., etc., such as, for example, and so forth, and the like, etc., and other wording as will be apparent from the surrounding context.