Overview
Filed on October 30, 2017 and granted on May 11, 2021, this patented perimeter enhancement protects existing fence segments by adding horizontal beveled rails that eliminate grab points and discourage climbing. Inventors based in Lubbock, TX devised a solution that mounts to standard horizontal rails and pickets: the bottom of the beveled rail seats on the horizontal rail while the back attaches to the pickets, and the sloped face is intentionally neither horizontal nor vertical to prevent easy hand- or footholds. The claims capture both unibody and segmented constructions, modular tab-and-slot joinery for field-adjustable lengths, and multiple manufacturing routes—carved wood, extrusion, injection molding, or composite—preserving functionality across materials and production methods.
The firm’s patent drafting emphasizes practical installability and manufacturing breadth: prosecution secured language covering bevel angles, planar relationships (bottom as a horizontal plane; back as a vertical plane), and segment-level features (horizontal and vertical apertures, mating tabs/slots) to maximize enforceability and retrofit applicability for residential and commercial fences.
Key Features
- Retrofit-compatible beveled rail that mounts to existing rails and pickets
- Beveled face geometry engineered to inhibit climbing
- Modular segments with tab-and-slot assembly for standard lengths
- Multiple material and manufacturing embodiments (wood, extrusion, injection-mold)
- Claims covering unibody and segmented constructions
By protecting a design that is both manufacturable and straightforward to install, this patent supports improved perimeter security across landscaping, building materials, and fence-manufacturing industries.
Granted: 2021-05-11
