FENCING SYSTEM FOR USE ON UNEVEN TERRAIN

Abstract

A fencing system includes fence posts and bottom rails connected between the fence posts by rail connectors enabling relative adjustment about a post axis and a lateral axis. A top rail and fencing material span across the fence posts. Beams are mounted transversely to the bottom rails by beam connectors along relative adjustment along the bottom rail, along the beam and about the bottom rail. Brace arms are mounted between the posts and each of the bottom rails and transverse beams using brace connectors which include an internal portion clamped internally within the brace arm while allow a lateral pivot coupling of the connector to be pivoted about the longitudinal axis of the brace arm. Anchors allow the distal ends of the transverse beams to be secured relative to a ground surface.

Claims

1. A fencing system comprising: a plurality of fence posts for mounting in an upright orientation at spaced intervals along a lengthwise direction of the fencing system; a plurality of bottom rails, each bottom rail being arranged to extend in the lengthwise direction between respective bottom ends of a corresponding adjacent pair of the fence posts; a plurality of bottom rail connectors, each bottom rail connector being arranged to connect one end of one of the bottom rails to one of the fence posts such that the bottom rail connector enables relative adjustment of the bottom rail (i) about a post axis of the fence post and (ii) about a lateral axis oriented perpendicularly to the post axis and perpendicularly to the lengthwise direction; at least one top rail arranged to extend in the lengthwise direction between respective top ends of the fence posts; fencing material arranged to span across the plurality of fence posts in the lengthwise direction and along a height of the fence posts; and a plurality of rail brace arms, each rail brace arm being arranged to be mounted between one of the bottom rails and one of the fence posts such that the rail brace arm is arranged to be fixed at an adjustable location along at least one of the bottom rail or the fence post.

2. The fencing system according to claim 1 wherein each bottom rail is a hollow tube member and wherein each bottom rail connector is mounted internally within an open end of the hollow tube member of the respective bottom rail.

3. The fencing system according to claim 2 wherein each bottom rail connector includes an internal portion received within the respective bottom rail in which the internal portion comprises (i) a main body portion, (ii) at least one wedge portion, and (iii) a screw member associated withsaid at least one wedge portion in which the screw is operatively connected between the wedge portion and the main body portion so as to radially expand the internal portion for clamping the internal portion within the bottom rail and in which the screw member is externally accessible on the bottom rail connector.

4. The fencing system according to claim 3 wherein said at least one wedge portion comprises two wedge portions supported at diametrically opposing sides of the main body portion.

5. The fencing system according to claim 4 wherein each bottom rail connector further comprises a mounting flange connected to the main bottom portion and defining a pivotal coupling about the lateral axis extending through the mounting flange, the screw members associated with the two wedge portions being located on laterally opposing sides of the mounting flange.

6. The fencing system according to claim 3 wherein said at least one wedge portion having at least one longitudinal edge formed thereon which is oriented in an axial direction of the bottom rail and which is arranged for biting into an inner surface of the bottom rail as the wedge portion is expanded within the bottom rail.

7. The fencing system according to claim 1 wherein each bottom rail connector is arranged to be coupled to one end of one of the bottom rails such that a mounting flange protrudes from the bottom rail in the lengthwise direction, the mounting flange having an aperture therein defining a pivotal coupling about the lateral axis at a location offset radially from a central axis of the bottom rail.

8. The fencing system according to claim 1 wherein each bottom rail connector includes a post anchor tube arranged to receive the bottom end of one of the fence posts vertically slidable therein, the post anchor tube having threaded apertures therein to receive set screws for selectively fixing the fence post in the post anchor tube, each bottom rail connector being arranged to pivotally couple one of the bottom rails to the post anchor tube such that the bottom rail connector enables adjustment of the bottom rail relative to the post anchor tube (i) about a post axis of the fence post and (ii) about a lateral axis oriented perpendicularly to the post axis and perpendicularly to the lengthwise direction.

9. The fencing system according to claim 1 wherein each rail brace arm is arranged to be mounted to each of said one of the bottom rails and said one of the fence posts using a brace connector, the brace connector comprising a clamp arranged to be selectively fixed at an adjustable location along the bottom rail or the fence post such that the clamp is clamped about the bottom rail or the fence post and the rail brace arm is pivotal relative to the clamp about an axis oriented perpendicularly to the rail brace arm and to the bottom rail or the fence post.

10. The fencing system according to claim 1 further comprising a plurality of transverse beams, each transverse beam being arranged to be mounted by a beam connector to extend along a transverse axis oriented transversely to a respective one of the bottom rails, wherein the beam connector supports the transverse beam to be adjustable relative to the bottom rail along the transverse axis of the beam.

11. The fencing system according to claim 10 further comprising (i) a plurality of beam brace arms in which each beam brace arm is arranged to be mounted between one of the fence posts and one of the transverse beams such that the beam brace arm, and (ii) a brace arm connector at each end of each brace arm in which the brace arm connector is arranged to couple the brace arm to said one of the fence posts or said one of the transverse beams such that the brace arm is pivotal about a lateral axis of the brace arm connector oriented perpendicularly to brace arm and said one of the fence posts or said one of the transverse beams.

12. The fencing system according to claim 11 wherein each brace arm connector includes a pivot coupling defining pivotal movement of the beam brace arm relative to said one of the fence posts or said one of the transverse beams, the pivot coupling being pivotal relative to the beam brace arm about a longitudinal axis of the beam brace arm.

13. The fencing system according to claim 12 wherein each brace arm connector includes an internal portion arranged to be clamped internally within an open end of the beam brace arm, the pivot coupling being pivotal relative to the internal portion about the longitudinal axis of the beam brace arm.

14. The fencing system according to claim 13 wherein the internal portion of each brace arm connector includes (i) a main body portion, (ii) a wedge portion, and (iii) a screw member operatively connected between the wedge portion and the main body portion so as to radially expand the internal portion for clamping the internal portion within the beam brace arm in which the screw member is externally accessible on the brace arm connector.

15. A fencing system comprising: a plurality of fence posts for mounting in an upright orientation at spaced intervals along a lengthwise direction of the fencing system; a plurality of bottom rails, each bottom rail being arranged to extend in the lengthwise direction between respective bottom ends of a corresponding adjacent pair of the fence posts; a plurality of bottom rail connectors, each bottom rail connector being arranged to connect one end of one of the bottom rails to one of the fence posts such that the bottom rail connector enables relative adjustment of the bottom rail (i) about a post axis of the fence post and (ii) about a lateral axis oriented perpendicularly to the post axis and perpendicularly to the lengthwise direction; at least one top rail arranged to extend in the lengthwise direction between respective top ends of the fence posts; fencing material arranged to span across the plurality of fence posts in the lengthwise direction and along a height of the fence posts; and a plurality of transverse beams, each transverse beam being arranged to be mounted by a beam connector to extend along a transverse axis oriented transversely to a respective one of the bottom rails; wherein the beam connector supports the transverse beam to be adjustable relative to the bottom rail along the transverse axis of the beam.

16. The fencing system according to claim 15 further comprising (i) a plurality of beam brace arms in which each beam brace arm is arranged to be mounted between one of the fence posts and one of the transverse beams such that the beam brace arm, and (ii) a brace arm connector at each end of each brace arm in which the brace arm connector is arranged to couple the brace arm to said one of the fence posts or said one of the transverse beams such that the brace arm is pivotal about a lateral axis of the brace arm connector oriented perpendicularly to brace arm and said one of the fence posts or said one of the transverse beams.

17. The fencing system according to claim 16 wherein each brace arm connector includes a pivot coupling defining pivotal movement of the beam brace arm relative to said one of the fence posts or said one of the transverse beams, the pivot coupling being pivotal relative to the beam brace arm about a longitudinal axis of the beam brace arm.

18. The fencing system according to claim 17 wherein each brace arm connector includes an internal portion arranged to be clamped internally within an open end of the beam brace arm, the pivot coupling being pivotal relative to the internal portion about the longitudinal axis of the beam brace arm.

19. The fencing system according to claim 15 further comprising a beam anchor arranged to be mounted onto the transverse beam for adjustment along the beam and about a longitudinal axis of the beam, the beam anchor including fastener apertures arranged to be coupled to ground anchors.

20. A fencing system supported on ground, the fencing system comprising: a plurality of fence posts mounted in an upright orientation at spaced intervals along a lengthwise direction of the fencing system; a plurality of bottom rails, each bottom rail extending in the lengthwise direction between respective bottom ends of a corresponding adjacent pair of the fence posts; a plurality of bottom rail connectors, each bottom rail connector connecting one end of one of the bottom rails to one of the fence posts such that the bottom rail connector enables relative adjustment of the bottom rail (i) about a post axis of the fence post and (ii) about a lateral axis oriented perpendicularly to the post axis and perpendicularly to the lengthwise direction; at least one top rail extending in the lengthwise direction between respective top ends of the fence posts; fencing material spanning across the plurality of fence posts in the lengthwise direction and along a height of the fence posts; and a plurality of rail brace arms, each rail brace arm being mounted between one of the bottom rails and one of the fence posts such that the rail brace arm fixed at an adjustable location along at least one of the bottom rail or the fence post.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] One embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0042] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one assembled section of the fencing system according to the present invention;

[0043] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the brace arms connected between one of the fence posts and the bottom rail and the transverse beam of the fencing system according to FIG. 1;

[0044] FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a rail connector between the bottom rail and one of the fence posts and a beam connector between the bottom rail and one of the transverse beams of the fencing system according to FIG. 1;

[0045] FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the rail connector and the beam connector according to FIG. 3;

[0046] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the rail connector shown removed from the bottom rail of the fencing system according to FIG. 1;

[0047] FIG. 6 is a sectional view along the line 6-6 in FIG. 5;

[0048] FIG. 7 is a sectional view along the line 7-7 in FIG. 3;

[0049] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of one of the brace connectors;

[0050] FIG. 9 is a sectional view of one of the brace connectors generally along the line 9-9 in FIG. 1; and

[0051] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the fencing system according to FIG. 1 arranged in an alternate configuration.

[0052] In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] Referring to the accompanying figures there is illustrated a fencing system generally indicated by reference numeral 10. The system 10 is suited for installation on ground so as to extend longitudinally along a fence line or boundary to be fenced.

[0054] The system 10 can be mounted such that the fence posts are not penetrated into the ground so that the fencing system is suitable for installation on uneven structures including concrete or bedrock foundations where minimal penetration into the ground is desired. The fencing system can be entirely retained relative to the ground by a minimal use of fasteners and small ground anchors suitable for anchoring into a drilled bore into the foundation. Such minimal fasteners and small anchors are sufficient to support the assembled fence structure extending along a fence line in a stable manner.

[0055] The overall fence system 10 includes a plurality of fence posts 12 arranged to be mounted in a vertical orientation at spaced apart intervals in a lengthwise direction of the fence line.

[0056] A plurality of bottom rails 14 are provided in which each bottom rail extends in the lengthwise direction between a pair of two adjacent fence posts along the fence line. Each bottom rail is a rigid metal tube that is hollow with open ends to extend between the bottom ends of the corresponding posts 12 in a mounted position. A bottom rail connector 16, described in further detail below, connects each end of each bottom rail 14 to the corresponding post adjacent the bottom end thereof.

[0057] A top rail 18 is supported by top rail connectors 20 to extend continuously across a plurality of the posts 12 across the top ends thereof along the length of the fence. Optionally the top rail 18 may also be connected in sections such that each individual top rail section spans between a pair of two adjacent posts similarly to the bottom rails. Each top rail connector 20 includes a cap 22 mounted over the top end of the fence post 12 and a supporting ring 24 extending above the cap which receives the top rail extending longitudinally therethrough. Each top rail connector 20 may also include a wire holder 26 in the form of a rigid bar extending upward from the cap and which serves to support several rows of barbed wire 28 connected thereto to extend in the lengthwise direction of the fence at spaced apart positions above the top rail.

[0058] The assembled fencing system 10 is arranged to support suitable fencing material 30 thereon such as a sheet of chain-link material or other suitable sheeted material which can span the length of the fence in the lengthwise direction across the plurality of fence posts 12 while also spanning a height of the fence posts between the bottom rails 14 and the top rail 18.

[0059] The system 10 also includes a plurality of transverse beams 32 which are mounted relative to the bottom rails to extend perpendicularly to the bottom rail and protrude laterally outwardly from the upright plane of the assembled fence structure and the fencing material 30 supported thereon. One or more transverse beams 32 may be mounted to each bottom rail 16 to extend laterally outwardly to one or both sides of the fence structure. In the illustrated embodiment, one transverse beam 32 extends outwardly from the bottom rail adjacent each of the opposing ends of the bottom rail.

[0060] A beam connector 34, described in further detail below, serves to connect each transverse beam 32 to the corresponding bottom rail such that the transverse beam can be adjusted relative to the bottom rail along a length of the bottom rail, pivotally about the bottom rail, and in the longitudinal direction of the transverse beam.

[0061] In addition to the bottom rail connectors 16, each bottom rail is supported relative to each of the adjacent corresponding posts by a respective rail brace arm 36. A rail brace connector 38 is provided at each of the opposing ends of each rail brace arm to couple one end of the brace arm to the bottom rail and couple the opposing end of the brace arm to the fence post. The rail brace arm is a hollow, rigid, metal tube which can be adjusted (i) longitudinally along the length of and (ii) pivotally about the central axis of the bottom rail and/or the fence post respectively.

[0062] Each transverse beam 32 is also provided with further support in addition to the beam connectors 34 by beam brace arms 40. A beam brace connector 42 is provided at each of the opposing ends of each beam brace arm 40 to couple one end of the brace arm to the transverse beam and couple the opposing end of the brace arm to the fence post. The beam brace arm 40 is a hollow, rigid, metal tube which can be adjusted (i) longitudinally along the length of and (ii) pivotally about the central axis of each of the transverse beam and the fence post respectively.

[0063] Turning now more particularly to the bottom rail connector 16 as shown in FIGS. 3 through 7, the bottom rail connector includes an internal portion arranged to be received within the open ends of the tube defining the corresponding bottom rail and which functions to be radially expanded for internally clamping within the bottom rail. The internal portion includes a main body portion 44 in the form of a generally cylindrical body having an outer diameter that closely fits within the internal diameter of the bottom rail and a pair of wedge portions 46 which are operated relative to the main body portion to selectively expand the radial dimension of the internal portion for clamping within the interior of the bottom rail.

[0064] The main body portion 44 includes an exterior flange 48 at one end of the cylindrical body where the main body portion is increased in dimension to define an annular shoulder which is abutted against the end of the bottom rail when the cylindrical body is inserted into the open ends of the rail. The main body portion 44 also includes a pair of cavities formed at diametrically opposing sides of the main body portion for receiving the wedge portions 46 therein. Each cavity includes an inner wall 50 which is sloped such that the wall increases in distance relative to a central axis of the cylindrical body as the cavity extends from the internal distal end of the main body portion to the proximal end of the main body portion at the exterior flange 48. The exterior flange 48 forms an end wall that encloses the external end of each cavity at the proximal end of the body.

[0065] The wedge portions 46 are sized to fit within the cavities in the main body portion respectively to be fully contained within the cylindrical boundary of the main body portion in a released configuration in which the ends of the wedge portion 46 nearest to the exterior or proximal end of the main body portion remain axially spaced from the end wall defined by the exterior flange 48 that encloses the exterior end of each cavity. Each wedge portion includes an inner surface 52 that defines a sloped wall that closely follows the shape and profile of the inner wall 50 of the corresponding cavity in the main body portion. That is the inner surface of each wedge portion 46 is also sloped to increase in distance relative to the central axis of the main body portion as the wedge portion extends from the distal end to the proximal end of the main body portion.

[0066] An operating screw 54 is associated with each wedge portion for actuating the wedge portion from the released position to a clamped position in which the overall diameter of the internal portion of the bottom rail connector is increased. Each screw extends through a corresponding aperture in the end wall at the outer end of the main body portion in alignment with a respective one of the cavities such that a head of the screw remains at the exterior of the main body portion 44 so as to be accessible for operating the screw to tighten and loosen the screw. The opposing end of the screw 54 is threaded into a corresponding threaded bore in the respective wedge portion 46. As stated above, when the wedge portions remain within the cylindrical boundary of the main body portion 44, the proximal end of the wedge portion remains spaced from the end wall formed by the exterior flange 48 at the proximal end of the main body portion. Tightening the screw acts to draw the wedge portion axially towards the proximal end of the main body portion. The interaction of the inner surface 52 of each wedge portion with the corresponding sloped inner wall 50 on the main body portion urges the wedge portion radially outwardly such that the inner wall 50 and the inner surface 52 function as camming surfaces to actuate the clamping of the internal portion of the bottom rail connector within the internal diameter of the bottom rail.

[0067] Each wedge portion 46 is further provided with a pair of insert members 55 mounted thereon at the exterior side that engages the inner surface of the bottom rail. Each insert member is formed of an insert material, for example hardened (high speed) steel, that is harder than a wedge material forming a body of the wedge portion. each insert member is elongated in a longitudinal or axial direction of the bottom rail within which it is mounted so as to define a longitudinal edge at the radially outermost part of the insert member. The longitudinal edges of the insert members are circumferentially spaced and protrude radially relative to a remainder of the wedge portion so as to form first contact with the inner surface of the bottom rail as the wedge portions are expanded radially outward into clamping engagement with the bottom rail. The longitudinal edges of the insert members 55 are thus arranged to bite into the inner surface of the bottom rail at circumferentially spaced locations that resist relative rotation between the bottom rail connector 16 and the bottom rail.

[0068] A spring 56 is wound helically about each screw 54 between the wedge portion 46 and the end wall of the main body portion 44 in which the spring is axially compressed. In this manner, when the screws 54 are loosened, the springs aid in returning each wedge portion 46 to a released position fully contained within the cylindrical boundary of the main body portion to release the clamping of the bottom rail connector within the interior of the bottom rail when desired.

[0069] Each bottom rail connector further includes a mounting flange 58 fixed on the proximal end of the main body portion 44 to protrude axially beyond the exterior flange 48 and beyond the end of the bottom rail. The mounting flange 58 is vertically oriented in a mounted position and locates the pair of screws 54 and the corresponding wedge portions 46 at laterally and diametrically opposing sides of the flange. The mounting flange 58 in the illustrated embodiment is secured relative to the main body portion by a set of threaded fasteners 68 mounted through respective sockets formed at the interior of the main body portion 44 such that the fasteners are fully contained within the main body portion 44 and the mounting flange 58 in the assembled configuration. When the internal portion of the bottom rail connector is removed from the bottom rail, the fasteners 60 can be accessed through the internal sockets open to the distal end of the main body portion 44 for removal if desired.

[0070] The mounting flange 58 of each bottom rail connector defines a lateral pivot axis about which the bottom rail pivots relative to the fence post. More particularly, a mounting aperture extends horizontally through the vertical mounting flange 58 to receive a suitable fastener that defines the lateral pivot axis when fastening the mounting flange to the fence post as described in further detail below. The bolt aperture in the mounting flange 58 is offset radially and vertically upward from a central axis of the rail connector and a central axis of the bottom rail in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1 to provide optimal clearance for pivotal adjustment of the bottom rail relative to the fence post. The mounting flange 58 can also be inverted so that aperture in the mounting flange 58 is instead below a central axis of the associated bottom rail. In this instance, when two bottom rails are connected to the same post using respective bottom rail connectors 16 as shown in FIG. 10, one of the flanges 58 can be offset upwardly and the other flange 58 can be offset downwardly. In other instances, two bottom rails can be mounted to the same fence post at the same elevation as one another without interference between the bottom rail connectors.

[0071] Each bottom rail connector further includes a post anchor tube 62 receiving the bottom end of the corresponding fence post therein. The post anchor tube 62 is a tube or sleeve having an interior diameter which is approximately equal to or slightly greater than the outer diameter of the fence post received therein. A bottom plate 64 encloses a bottom end of the post anchor tube. A central aperture in the bottom plate 64 allows a ground anchor fastener to be optionally received therethrough for fastening the post anchor tube to a ground surface or foundation upon which the fencing structure is assembled. The post anchor tube 62 also includes a plurality of cooperating apertures at vertically spaced positions along the length of the anchor tube which are internally threaded to receive a set screw that engages the bottom edge of a fence post inserted into the post anchor tube. As the set screw is tightened, the fence post is clamped against the inner surface at the diametrically opposing side to selectively fix the fence post immovably relative to the post anchor tube.

[0072] Lastly, each bottom rail connector includes a post clamp 66 that connects the mounting flange 58 of the main body portion to the post anchor tube 62. More particularly the post clamp 66 includes a clamping band extending circumferentially about the post anchor tube 62 between a pair of parallel flanges 68 at opposing ends of the band having corresponding bolt apertures formed therein. The post clamp is suitably sized to extend about the circumference of the post anchor tube 62 minus the thickness of the mounting flange 58 that is received between the parallel flanges 68 at opposing ends of the post clamp in the circumferential direction. A suitable bolt or other threaded fastener that defines the lateral pivot axis of the bottom rail relative to the fence post is inserted through the cooperating mounting apertures in the flanges 68 and the mounting flange 58. The post clamp 66 is freely rotatable about the fence post while the bottom rail is freely pivotal about the lateral axis of the mounting flange 58 until the bolt securing the mounting flange 58 to the parallel flanges 68 is tightened. Tightening of the threaded fastener serves to fix the post clamp 66 at a selected angular orientation about the post and at a selected height along the post while also fixing the base rail at a selected slope relative to the post about the lateral axis the bottom rail connector.

[0073] The apertures formed in the post anchor tube 62 are provided in two rows or arrays extending axially or linearly along the post anchor tube so that the two rows or arrays are offset 120 apart from one another in the circumferential direction. In the illustrated embodiment, each array consists of four threaded apertures spaced apart along row or array such that at least two apertures are typically exposed regardless of the placement of the bottom rail connectors 16 along each post anchor tube. After the posts are placed into the post anchor tubes, two accessible set screw holes (some will be covered by post clamps 66) within each row or array are used to clamp the fence post against the inside wall of the tube, thereby removing any clearance that existed between the ID of the post anchor tube and the OD of the post. By locating the second linear array of set screw holes spaced 120 degrees circumferentially about the post anchor tube from the first linear array of set screw holes, the set screws threaded into the holes generate a triangulated clamping force of the fence post against the inner surface of the post anchor tube.

[0074] Each beam connector 34 that serves to mount one of the transverse beams 32 relative to a corresponding bottom rail 14 includes an intermediate body 70 arrange to be clamped fixedly to each of the bottom rail and the transverse beam. More particularly, the intermediate body 70 is received between the transverse beam and the bottom rail when the transverse beam is mounted to overlap across the bottom rail in perpendicular relation thereto. The intermediate body 70 is generally rectangular in shape with a central opening formed therethrough to reduce weight and material cost for example.

[0075] The body 70 includes a top groove 72 formed across a width of the top side of the intermediate body in which the groove has a semicircular profile corresponding approximately to the curvature of the round cross-section of the transverse beam that is recessed partly into the top groove in the mounted position. Two top clamps 74 extend over the transverse beam and are fastened to the intermediate body to clamp the transverse beam between the top clamps 74 and the intermediate body 70 at spaced apart positions along the length of the transverse beam towards opposing sides of the intermediate body 70. Each clamp is a semicircular bar matching the curve profile of the transverse beam together with fastener flanges at opposing ends of the bar for receiving suitable threaded fasteners that clamp the opposing ends of each clamping bar 74 against the intermediate body. Until the fasteners associated with the clamps 74 are tightened, the beam connector allows the lateral position along the length of the beam corresponding to the longitudinal axis of the beam to be adjusted as well as permitting rotational adjustment of the beam relative to the intermediate body. Once the fasteners associated with the two clamps 74 are tightened, the transverse beam is fixed immovably relative to the intermediate body 70.

[0076] The body 70 also includes a bottom groove 76 formed across a length of the bottom side of the intermediate body in which the groove has a semicircular profile corresponding approximately to the curvature of the round cross-section of the bottom rail that is recessed partly into the bottom groove in the mounted position. Two bottom clamps 78 extend under the bottom rail and are fastened to the intermediate body to clamp the bottom rail between the bottom clamps 78 and the intermediate body at spaced apart positions along the length of the bottom rail towards opposing ends of the intermediate body 70. Each clamp 78 is a semicircular bar matching the curved profile of the bottom rail together with fastener flanges at opposing ends of the bar for receiving suitable threaded fasteners that clamp the opposing ends of each clamping bar 78 against the bottom rail. Until the fasteners associated with the clamps 78 are tightened, the beam connector allows the position of the intermediate body and attached transverse beam to be adjusted along the length of the bottom rail corresponding to the lengthwise direction of the fencing as well as permitting rotational adjustment of the intermediate body and connected transverse beam about a central axis of the bottom rail. Once the fasteners associated with the two clamps 78 are tightened, the intermediate body 70 is fixed immovably relative to the bottom rail.

[0077] An axis of the top groove 72 at the top side of the intermediate body and an axis of the bottom groove 76 at the bottom side of the intermediate body lie in respective planes which are parallel to one another; however, the top groove 72 extends perpendicularly to the bottom groove 76 such that the transverse beam 32 mounted by the beam connector 34 is accordingly oriented perpendicularly across the bottom rail upon which it is supported.

[0078] The fasteners at opposing ends of the two top clamps 74 are located at the four corners of the rectangular shape of the intermediate body similarly to the fasteners at opposing ends of the two bottom clamps 78 such that a single set of four fasteners in common with both the top clamps 74 and the bottom clamps 78 can be used to simultaneously clamp the transverse beam 32 against the top side of the intermediate body 70 and the bottom rail against the bottom side of the intermediate body 70.

[0079] The internal portion of the bottom rail connectors 16 allow the intermediate body 70 of the beam connector to be secured to the bottom rail at any selected position along the length of the bottom rail between opposing ends thereof without interference with the bottom rail connector 16.

[0080] The outer or distal end of each transverse beam 32 located farthest from the bottom rail is further provided with a beam anchor 80 that serves to anchor the transverse beam relative to a suitable ground surface or foundation using ground anchor fasteners. The anchor includes an anchor body 82 in the form of a plate including a top groove 84 formed therein across the width of the top side of the anchor body 82 in which the groove has a semicircular profile corresponding approximately to the curvature of the round cross-section of the transverse beam that is recessed partly into the top groove in the mounted position. Similarly to the beam connector, a top clamp 84 extends over the transverse beam and is fastened to the anchor body to clamp the transverse beam between the top clamp 84 and the anchor body 80. The top clamp is a semicircular bar matching the curved profile of the transverse beam together with fastener flanges at opposing ends of the bar for receiving suitable threaded fasteners that clamp the opposing ends of the clamping bar 84 against the anchor body 80. Until the fasteners associated with the top clamp 84 are tightened, the beam anchor allows the position of the beam anchor along the length of the beam to be adjusted as well as permitting rotational adjustment of the beam anchor about the beam to optimally position the beam anchor 80 relative to the supporting surface upon which the fencing system is mounted. Once the fasteners associated with the top clamp 84 are tightened, the beam anchor 80 is fixed immovably relative to the beam 32.

[0081] The plate defining the anchor body 82 protrudes laterally outward beyond mounting locations of the top clamp 84 at both ends to define anchor apertures 86 at the opposing ends of the anchor body 82. Each of the anchor apertures 86 is arranged to receive a suitable anchor fastener 88 mounted therethrough, for example a ground anchor fastener of the type which can be inserted into a bore in cement or bedrock and radially expanded within the bore upon actuation.

[0082] Turning now to FIGS. 8 and 9, the rail brace connectors 38 for coupling opposing ends of each rail brace arm 36 to the fence post or the bottom rail respectively are shown in further detail. Each rail brace connector includes an internal portion mounted within the hollow open end of the rail brace arm 36 which includes a main body at the proximal end and a wedge portion 92 at the distal end. The main body portion includes a cylindrical boundary that closely fits within the interior diameter of the brace arm 36. An end face 94 at one axial end of the main body nearest to the wedge portion is sloped so as to be oriented non-perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the connector 38 and the brace arm 36.

[0083] Likewise the wedge portion 92 includes a cylindrical boundary that closely fits within the interior diameter of the brace arm 36. An end face 96 at one axial end of the wedge portion nearest to the main body is sloped so as to be oriented non-perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the connector while following the shape and profile of the corresponding end face 94 of the main body portion.

[0084] An external flange 98 is mounted at the proximal end of the main body 90 at the exterior of the brace arm in which the radial dimension of the main body is increased relative to the cylindrical boundary to define an annular shoulder that abuts the end of the brace arm when the internal portion is fully inserted into the open end of the brace arm. The main body 90 also includes an inner socket 100 formed therein which is open to the exterior and extends only partway through the main body.

[0085] A screw 102 communicates through the inner end wall of the main body 90 forming the inner end of the socket 100 and the end face 94 of the main body such that the head of the screw is retained within the socket 100. The opposing end of the screw 102 is threaded into the wedge portion 92 through the sloped end face 96 thereof. In a released position of the screw, the cylindrical boundary of the main body 90 and the wedge portion 92 are aligned with one another to fit longitudinally slidably within the hollow brace arm 36. Once inserted into the brace arm, tightening the screw acts to draw the wedge portion 92 towards the main body 90 such that the end faces 94 and 96 cooperate with one another as camming surfaces that offset the main body 90 and the wedge portion 92 radially relative to one another to increase the overall diameter of the internal portion of the brace connector 38 and thereby wedge the brace connector internally within the open end of the brace arm 36.

[0086] Each brace connector 38 also includes an external portion selectively coupled to the main body 90 of the internal portion of the connector. The external portion includes a cylindrical inner and portion 104 having an outer diameter that closely fits within the interior diameter of the socket 100 formed in the main body. A mounting flange 106 is connected to the inner end portion 104 to extend axially outward therefrom and protrude from the internal portion of the brace connector 38 when the inner end portion 104 is fully received and mounted into the socket 100 of the main body 90. The mounting flange 106 lies parallel to the axis of the brace arm and locates a mounting aperture 108 extending transversely therethrough which receives a suitable bolt 110 functioning as a pivot pin that defines a pivot axis of the brace arm 36 relative to the bottom rail or the fence post to which it is connected. The lateral pivot axis is oriented perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the brace arm and perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the corresponding fence post or bottom rail upon which it is mounted.

[0087] The external portion of the brace connector 38 is retained relative to the internal portion by a split ring 112 that cooperates with a first annular groove 114 formed about the exterior of the inner end portion 104 and a second annular groove 116 formed internally within the socket 100. The second annular groove 116 aligns with the first annular groove 114 in the assembled configuration of the brace connector 38. The split ring 112 is sized in a relaxed state to be partly received in the first annular groove 114 in the inner end portion 104 and partly received in the second annular groove in the socket. A gap in the split ring is sufficiently sized and the second annular groove in the socket are suitably sized such that the split ring can be flexed to increase the inner circumference thereof so that the split ring 112 can be fully received within the second annular groove and fully contained within the cylindrical boundary of the socket in the flexed state. By initially locating the split ring 112 within the second annular groove in the socket, the inner end portion 104 can be inserted into the socket until the inner end of the inner end portion 104 abuts the split ring. The inner end portion 104 is tapered at the inner end to wedge into the split ring and automatically flex the split ring outward to be fully received in the second annular groove as the inner end portion 104 is further inserted into the socket 100. Once the annular grooves are aligned with one another, the split ring automatically retracts to the relaxed state so that the split ring bridges the annular grooves and thereby retains the external portion in the axial direction relative to the internal portion of the brace connector 38 while still allowing the external portion to freely rotate relative to the internal portion about a longitudinal axis of the connector and the brace arm.

[0088] A tool access passage is formed within the inner end portion 104 of the brace connector 38 in which the passage includes an axial passage 118 communicating through the inner end of the inner end portion 104 for alignment with the head of the screw 102, and a radial portion 120 extending radially from the axial portion 118 to a cylindrical boundary of the inner end portion 104 at a location that is to the exterior of the main body 90 of the brace connector 38. The axial portion 118 and the radial portion 120 collectively define a through passage that permits an L shaped wrench tool to be inserted through the passage for connection to the head of the screw 102. The tool can be rotated with the screw due to the free rotation of the external portion of the brace connector coupled by the split ring to the internal portion thereof. This allows the screw 102 to be loosened for releasing the clamping action of the wedge portion 92 if it is desired to remove the brace connector 38 from the corresponding end of the brace arm 36.

[0089] Each brace connector further includes a brace clamp 122 that connects the mounting flange 106 of the beam connector to the exterior of the bottom rail or the fence post respectively. The brace clamp 122 includes a clamping band extending circumferentially about the bottom rail or the fence post between a pair of parallel flanges 124 at opposing ends of the band having bolt apertures formed therein. The brace clamp 122 is suitably sized to extend about the circumference of the bottom rail or the fence post respectively, minus the thickness of the mounting flange 106 that is received between the parallel flanges 124 at opposing ends of the clamp in the circumferential direction. A suitable bolt or other threaded fastener that defines a lateral pivot axis of the brace arm relative to the bottom rail or the fence post is inserted through the cooperating apertures in the parallel flanges 124 and the mounting flange 106. The brace clamp 122 is freely rotatable about the bottom rail or the fence post upon which it is mounted and freely positionable lengthwise along the bottom rail or the fence post until the threaded fastener of the brace clamp is tightened. Tightening of the threaded fastener serves to fix the brace clamp 122 at a selected angular orientation and a selected longitudinal position along the base rail or the fence post according to the selected slope of the bottom rail relative to the fence post being braced by the brace arm 36 and the corresponding brace connectors 38.

[0090] Each beam brace arm 40 is secured adjustably to the beam 32 and the fence post 12 using beam brace connectors 42 which are substantially identical to the rail brace connectors 38 described above. In this manner, connection of each beam brace arm 40 to each of the corresponding beam 32 and fence post 12 enables adjustment of the brace arm along the length and pivotally about the longitudinal axis of the corresponding beam or post. Once the fasteners of the brace clamps 122 are tightened, the mounting location and orientation relative to the transverse beam or fence post is fixed immovably.

[0091] The freely pivotal connection of the mounting flange 106 that defines the lateral pivot axis of the brace about the longitudinal axis of the brace member is particularly advantageous in that it does not interfere with positioning of the transverse beam 32 relative to a fence post by displacement along the bottom rail so that all of the components including the bottom rails 14, the fence posts 12, the transverse beams 32, and the brace arms of the rails and beams 36 and 40, can be accurately positioned relative to one another while avoiding obstacles in anchoring the beam anchors and the post anchor tubes 62 relative to the ground using suitable ground anchors as desired.

[0092] Assembly of a fence along a fence line over uneven terrain and without penetration of the posts into the ground is accomplished by initially placing the post anchor tubes 62 at the desired post locations. A suitable anchor fastener may be used to secure the bottom plate of the post anchor tubes 62 to the ground. The bottom rail connectors 16 are then used to adjustably position the bottom rails between corresponding adjacent pairs of the fence posts by connecting between the post anchor tubes 62 thereof. Transverse beams 32 can also be mounted at suitable locations along the bottom rails to enable the beam anchors 80 to also be secured relative to the ground in avoidance of obstacles. Once the fence posts are mounted into the post anchor tubes 62 respectively, the rail brace arms 36 can be connected between the bottom rails and the fence posts, while the beam brace arms 40 can be connected between the fence posts and the transverse beams 32. The adjustable configuration of the rail brace connectors 38 and the beam brace connectors 42 enable a secure attachment to the respective frame members even when the transverse beams 32 are offset considerably from the associated fence posts 12.

[0093] For example, as shown in FIG. 10, when the terrain at opposing sides of the fence extends laterally away from the fence at different slopes, two transverse beams 32 can be mounted by respective beam connectors 34 to extend in opposing directions from an inner end of the transverse beam mounted onto the bottom rail. The beam connectors 34 can be rotated about the bottom rail so that each transverse beam can be coupled to the bottom rail at different slope corresponding to the slope of the ground against which the transverse beam is mounted. The clamping of the beam connector onto the bottom rail fixes the transverse beam immovably relative to the bottom rail at the selected slope. The beam connectors 34 can be mounted on the bottom rail so as to be axially adjacent one another along the bottom rail at a common end of the bottom rail. Additional transverse beams 32 can be mounted at any selected location along the length of each bottom rail for alignment with the transverse beam with suitable anchoring locations on the ground. In the case where the ground is not consistently sloped such as when the ground transitions from flat to sloped, each of the two intermediate beams can extend on either side of the bottom rail interfacing with the corresponding slopes.

[0094] In yet a further arrangement as shown at the left end of FIG. 10, the beam connector 34 can also be inverted so that the corresponding transverse beam 32 passes under the bottom rail upon which the transverse beam is mounted. As the intermediate body 70 of the beam connecter 34 is pivotal about the bottom rail, the transverse beam 32 can be arranged to clamp on top of or underneath the bottom rail. In addition, the transverse beam can extend perpendicular the bottom rail below the bottom rail to support the structure in the shape of an inverted-T when no ground anchoring is possible. This embodiment allows for engagement of the transverse beam with the ground surface at on both sides of the fence line.

[0095] Since various modifications can be made in the invention as herein above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.