초록 ▼

An apparatus for internally framing a vinyl gate suitable for use with vinyl fencing provides completely hidden structures formed of sheet metal and assembled for greater strength and rigidity. Beams may be formed as channels from sheet metal, which may be placed together, with open edges of the cha

An apparatus for internally framing a vinyl gate suitable for use with vinyl fencing provides completely hidden structures formed of sheet metal and assembled for greater strength and rigidity. Beams may be formed as channels from sheet metal, which may be placed together, with open edges of the channel juxtaposed and positioned within each other, in order to provide fully closed perimeters for beams. Various types of corner ties are provided to support loads and squareness required between vertical and horizontal members of the frame. In various embodiments, vinyl sleeves may be placed over various beams before or after the beams have been fully assembled, as appropriate, possible, or required. In certain embodiments, the entire systems of gate framing may be shipped in a long format appearing primarily as linearly-extending, channel-shaped stock. Likewise sheathing can ship as long stock. All fastening may be done after assembly, in order to finalize squareness and position prior to permanent application of fasteners.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An apparatus formed as a frame for a gate defining longitudinal, lateral, and transverse directions substantially orthogonal to one another, the apparatus comprising:a tie comprising an exterior vertex with first and second legs extending therefrom; longitudinal members oriented longitudinally; l

1. An apparatus formed as a frame for a gate defining longitudinal, lateral, and transverse directions substantially orthogonal to one another, the apparatus comprising:a tie comprising an exterior vertex with first and second legs extending therefrom; longitudinal members oriented longitudinally; lateral members oriented laterally and being separably distinct from the tie and the longitudinal members; a fixing member to fix a longitudinal member of the longitudinal members with respect to the first legs of the tie; a fastener formed to secure a lateral member of the lateral members to the second leg of the tie; and the tie, securable to fix the longitudinal member and the lateral member substantially rigidly at a selected angle with respect to one another; and a sheathing member formed as a homogeneous unit, the sheathing member substantially covering at least one of the longitudinal member and the lateral member and extending therefrom to at least the exterior vertex of the tie. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tie ties together a longitudinal member of the longitudinal members and a lateral member of the lateral members in fixed relation to form a rigid corner.3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first leg extends in a first direction and the second leg extends in a second direction, distinct from the first direction.4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first and second directions are substantially orthogonal to one another.5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein at least one of the first and second legs extends into the lateral member.6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein at least one of the first and second legs extends into the longitudinal member.7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein at least one of the first and second legs of the tie is rectangular in cross-section.8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein at least one of the first and second legs of the tie is hollow in cross-section.9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein at least one of the first and second legs of the tie has a cross-section with an open perimeter.10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the open perimeter forms a channel having an open side.11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein at least one of the longitudinal and lateral members is rectangular in cross-section.12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein at least one of the longitudinal and lateral members is hollow in cross-section.13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein at least one of the longitudinal and lateral members has a cross-section with an open perimeter.14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein at least one of the longitudinal and lateral members has a cross-section formed as a channel having a side thereof open.15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second legs of the tie is rectangular in cross-section.16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second legs of the tie is hollow in cross-section.17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tie has a cross-section having an open perimeter.18. An apparatus defining longitudinal, lateral, and transverse directions substantially orthogonal to one another, the apparatus comprising:a corner tie having an exterior vertex with first and second legs extending therefrom; longitudinal members oriented longitudinally; lateral members oriented laterally and being separably distinct from the corner tie and the longitudinal members; a fixing member to fix a longitudinal member of the longitudinal members in mating engagement with the corner tie; a fastener formed to secure a lateral member of the lateral members in mating engagement with the corner tie; sheathing formed to have a closed cross section continuous about a selected perimeter thereof, the sheathing formed as at least one homogeneous unit extending from at least the exterior vertex of the corner tie to substantially cover one of the longitudinal member and the lateral member for decorative obscuration; and the vertex and first and second legs formed in fixed relation to one another as a continuous, monolithic, homogeneous material to permanently to fix the angular relation of the longitudinal member and the lateral member. 19. A system comprising:a fence having an opening formed therein; and a gated hingedly positioned within the opening of the fence, the gate comprising: a plurality of corner ties each having an exterior vertex with first and second legs extending therefrom, a plurality of vertical members, a first vertical member of the plurality of vertical members connecting the first leg of a first corner tie of the plurality of corner ties to the first leg of a second corner tie of the plurality of corner ties, a second vertical member of the plurality of vertical members connecting the first leg of a third corner tie of the plurality of corner ties to the first leg of a forth corner tie of the plurality of corner ties, a plurality of horizontal members, a first horizontal member of the plurality of horizontal members connecting the second leg of the first corner tie to the second leg of the third corner tie, a second horizontal member of the plurality of vertical members connecting the second leg of the second corner tie to the second leg of the forth corner tie, and a least one sheathing member formed as a homogeneous unit and covering a substantial portion of at least one of the first vertical member, second vertical member, first horizontal member, and second horizontal member and extending therefrom to at least the exterior vertex of at least one of the first corner tie, second corner tie, third corner tie, and forth corner tie. 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the at least one sheathing member extends from the at least the exterior vertex of the first corner tie to at least the exterior vertex of the second corner tie.