US Patent 11859401 Fence and method of manufacturing a fence

A modular fence is disclosed that includes a metal frame that includes a top rail, a bottom rail, and a horizontally extending intermediate rail that are connected between upright vertical rails. The plastic planks are fixedly attached to an intermediate connector that is adapted to be assembled to the intermediate rail with fasteners. Top and bottom brackets are attached to the top and bottom rails. Top and bottom ends of the plastic planks are received in a gap or channel defined by the top and bottom brackets but are not fastened to the brackets. Alternatively, the top and bottom brackets may be attached to the ends of the plastic planks and the brackets may be assembled to the top and bottom rails with a gap defined between the brackets and the respective rails.