FENCE ATTACHMENT DEVICE

Abstract

A fence attachment that may resemble a miniature fence. The fence attachment may attach to an existing fence and may reduce the space between the pickets of the existing fence. The fence attachment may include at least one rail and a plurality of pickets attached to the at least one rail. The plurality of pickets of the fence attachment may be oriented in between the pickets of the existing fence and the fence attachment may be attached to the existing fence.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to fence attachment device and, more particularly, to a fence attachment device that prevents small animals from passing through the fence.

[0002] A fence is a freestanding structure designed to restrict or prevent movement across a boundary. Fences are generally distinguished from walls by the lightness of their construction and their purpose. A picket fence is generally 36 to 48 inches (91 to 120 cm) tall. A horizontal top rail and bottom rail are attached to a fence post, which is installed upright into the ground. Evenly spaced pickets are affixed vertically to the rails.

[0003] Generally, picket fences have multiple pickets that are wide enough to allow small animals, such as puppies and cats, to pass through the fence. There are products that may be used to prevent this. However, the other products do not mount into or conform to the original design of the fence. Further, the products are normally added to the interior or exterior side of the original design and do not match the original fence designs very well.

[0004] As can be seen, there is a need for a fence attachment that conforms to the fence and prevents small animals from passing through.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In one aspect of the present invention, a fence attachment device comprising: at least one rail; a plurality of pickets mounted to the at least one rail, wherein the plurality of pickets are substantially perpendicular relative to the rail; and a plurality of attachment components on the at least one rail and oriented in between the plurality of pickets, wherein the attachment components are configured to secure the fence attachment device to an existing barrier.

[0006] In another aspect of the present invention, a method of preventing small animals from passing through a fence comprises: providing a fence attachment comprising at least one rail; a plurality of pickets mounted to the at least one rail, wherein the plurality of pickets are substantially perpendicular relative to the rail; and a plurality of attachment components on the at least one rail and oriented in between the plurality of pickets, wherein the plurality of attachment components comprises an opening in the at least one rail; aligning the fence attachment with the fence, wherein the plurality of pickets of the fence attachment are oriented in between a plurality of pickets of the fence; and securing the fence attachment to the fence by screwing a screw through the opening in the at least one rail of the fence attachment and screwing the screw into the plurality of pickets of the fence.

[0007] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention in use;

[0009] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the present invention;

[0010] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the present invention; and

[0011] FIG. 4 is a detailed exploded view of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

[0013] Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a fence attachment that may resemble a miniature fence. The fence attachment may attach to a barrier such as an existing fence, guardrail, or railings such as porch, deck or balcony railings. The fence attachment may reduce the space between the pickets of the existing fence. The fence attachment may include at least one rail and a plurality of pickets attached to the at least one rail. The plurality of pickets of the fence attachment may be oriented in between the pickets of the existing fence and the fence attachment may be attached to the existing fence.

[0014] The present invention may include a miniature fence, such as a picket fence, that may be added to an existing or ornamental fence. The present invention may prevent small animals or children from leaving or entering a yard. When the fence of the present invention is added to a new or existing ornamental fencing, the present invention may reduce space between the pickets of the original ornamental fence. The present invention may conform to the original ornamental fence designs, which may not only prevent animals from leaving or entering the yard, but also may add to the aesthetic value of the original fence. The miniature fence may be added with a few screws for attachment, and may be installed in a matter of minutes without the requirement of an abundance of tools.

[0015] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, the present invention may include a fence attachment, which may resemble a miniature fence. The fence attachment may include rows of pickets 12 and rails 14. In certain embodiments, the pickets 12 and the rails 14 may be non corrosive powder coated pickets 12 and rails 14. The pickets 12 may run substantially vertical and the rails 14 may run substantially horizontal. Therefore, the pickets 12 are substantially perpendicular relative to the rails 14. The pickets 12 may be mounted to the rails 14 and thereby may be supported by the rails 14. The vertical pickets 12 may be attached to the horizontal rails using screws 16 in order to maintain the picket 12 spacing and to hold the fence attachment section together. The screws 16 may be a non corrosive powder coated 8×3/4 screw 16.

[0016] In certain embodiments, only one rail 14 may be used. However, as illustrated in the Figures, two rails 14 may be used. The plurality of pickets 12 may be mounted to a first rail 14 and a second rail 14. The plurality of pickets 12 may be mounted to the first rail 14 near a top of the plurality of pickets 12 and the plurality of pickets 12 may be mounted to the second rail 14 near a bottom of the plurality of pickets. The finished product may include a fence add-on that may be 12×72 inches, 18×72 inches, 24×72 inches or any desired size to facilitate the function.

[0017] The present invention may further include an attachment component that may attach the fence attachment to the existing fence 18. The attachment component may include a plurality of attachment components on the rail 12 and may be oriented in between the plurality of pickets 14. The attachment components may include an opening configured to receive at least one screw 16. The fence attachment may be mounted to the existing fence 18 by aligning the pickets 12 of the fence attachment in between the pickets of the existing fence 18. Then screws 16 may be screwed into the openings of the rail 14 and into the pickets of the existing fence 18.

[0018] In certain embodiments, the present invention may reduce the size of the existing fence's spacing in between the existing fence's pickets and therefore preventing a small animal from passing through the space between the existing fence's 18 pickets. The rails 12 may be used to maintain the spacing between the plurality of pickets 16 and also for the attachment of the present invention to an existing fence 18 section. The screws 16 may be used to attach the pickets 12 to the rails 14 to hold the present invention together. Also the same screws 16 may be used to attach the assembled fence attachment to the existing fence 18.

[0019] The present invention may be mounted to existing fence by performing the following steps: aligning the fence attachment with the fence, wherein the plurality of pickets of the fence attachment are oriented in between a plurality of pickets of the fence; and securing the fence attachment to the fence by screwing a screw through the opening in the at least one rail of the fence attachment and screwing the screw into the plurality of pickets of the fence. By doing so, the present invention may prevent small animals from either leaving or entering a yard and may also be used in a porch or deck railing systems to keep a small animals or children restricted to the porch or deck area.

[0020] A method of making the present invention may include the following. The vertical pickets may be laid on a flat working surface. The pickets may be spaced according to print which may be around 3-3/4'' apart. The horizontal rails may be laid across the top and bottom of pickets according to desired rail spacing. Using the screws, the rails may be attached to the vertical pickets through the pre-drilled holes of the rail. The fence attachment may then be fastened to an existing fence.

[0021] It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A fence attachment device comprising: at least one rail; a plurality of pickets mounted to the at least one rail, wherein the plurality of pickets are substantially perpendicular relative to the rail; and a plurality of attachment components on the at least one rail and oriented in between the plurality of pickets, wherein the attachment components are configured to secure the fence attachment device to an existing barrier.

2. The fence attachment device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of attachment components comprises an opening in the at least one rail configured to receive at least one screw.

3. The fence attachment device of claim 1, wherein the existing barrier is selected from the group consisting of a fence, guardrail and railings.

4. The fence attachment device of claim 1, wherein the at least one rail comprises a first rail and a second rail, wherein the plurality of pickets are mounted to the first rail near a top of the plurality of pickets and the plurality of pickets are mounted to the second rail near a bottom of the plurality of pickets.

5. The fence attachment device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of pickets are mounted to the at least one rail using a plurality of screws.

6. A method of preventing small animals from passing through a fence comprising: providing a fence attachment comprising at least one rail; a plurality of pickets mounted to the at least one rail, wherein the plurality of pickets are substantially perpendicular relative to the rail; and a plurality of attachment components on the at least one rail and oriented in between the plurality of pickets, wherein the plurality of attachment components comprises an opening in the at least one rail; aligning the fence attachment with the fence, wherein the plurality of pickets of the fence attachment are oriented in between a plurality of pickets of the fence; and securing the fence attachment to the fence by screwing a screw through the opening in the at least one rail of the fence attachment and screwing the screw into the plurality of pickets of the fence.

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