US20070241318A1

US20070241318A1 - Fencing system and post insert for use therewith

Info

Publication number: US20070241318A1
Application number: US11/818,738
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert Platt
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-01-28
Filing date: 2007-06-15
Publication date: 2007-10-18
Also published as: US20100133493A1

Abstract

A fencing system includes a post mount mountable on a foundation and having a vertically extending outer surface. A post insert sits atop the post mount and has an outer surface disposed outwardly of the post mount outer surface. The post insert has an upper sidewall which extends upwardly of the post mount and defines an upwardly opening cavity. A post includes a sidewall having an inner surface defining a cavity therein in which the post mount and post insert are slidably received with the outer surface of the post insert preferably closely adjacent the post inner surface. A rail is mounted via a rail mounting bracket to the post insert. Threaded fasteners extend from the rail mounting bracket through respective holes in the post and are threaded into mounting holes in the post insert to provide a strong connection for the mounting of the rail mounting bracket and rail.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/046,499 filed Jan. 28, 2005, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field
The invention relates generally to a fencing system or railing system. More particularly, the invention relates to a fencing system having a post support which provides sturdy mounting of the railing structure. Specifically, the invention relates to such a post support having a post insert mounted atop a post mount with the railing structure secured to the post insert.
2. Background Information
Fencing and railing systems commonly utilize vertically mounted post structures with horizontal railing structures extending between and mounted on adjacent post structures. It is known in the art to utilize a post mount which is mounted on the ground or to a floor structure of some sort with the post mount slidably received within a hollow post whereby various types of structure attached to the post mount engages the inner surface of the post in order to provide support to the post. The various structure mounted on the post mount to help support the post either is disposed closely adjacent the inner surface of the post or in contact with said inner surface. One example of such a configuration is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,141,928 granted to the Applicant. Said patent discloses a post mount having fins or other outwardly projecting structure formed integrally therewith which frictionally engage the inner surface of the post to provide support thereto. Another example is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,718,710 granted to the Applicant. Said patent discloses a post mount having a head seated atop the post mount with a plurality of tabs extending outwardly therefrom which frictionally engage the inner surface of the post to provide support thereto. Both of said patents are incorporated herein by reference. Other post mounts are known in the arts which have somewhat similar structures.
While these patents and other structures provide suitable support to the post for many purposes, there remains a need in the art for a connection between the railing structure and the post structures whereby said connection is substantially sturdier than those presently known. Most typically, the railing structures are secured by a fastener typically in the form of a screw or bolt to the post itself. Especially for railing structures that are elevated substantially above the ground or floor to which the post mount is attached, such a connection is not as sturdy as desired for certain applications.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a post insert for use with a fencing system comprising a post mount which has an upper end with an upwardly-facing surface, a lower end and an outer surface extending therebetween and a cavity in the upper end bounded by an inner surface and which is adapted to be mounted adjacent the lower end thereof to a foundation; a structural member having an inner surface defining a cavity in an end of the structural member; the post mount being slidably received in the cavity of the structural member with the inner surface of the structural member spaced outwardly from the outer surface of the post mount; and a rail structure secured to the structural member; the post insert comprising: a body; a lower section on the body insertable into the cavity of the post mount; an upper section on the body connected to and extending upwardly from the lower section; and an outer surface on the upper section disposed outwardly of the lower sidewall and adapted to abut the inner surface of the structural member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention, illustrative of the best modes in which applicant contemplates applying the principles, are set forth in the following description and are shown in the drawings and are particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.
FIG. 1 is an elevational view showing the fence system of the present invention with the posts and railing structures in solid lines and the post mount, post insert and related structure in dashed lines.
FIG. 2 is an elevational view of a first embodiment of the post insert of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the first embodiment of the post insert shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a portion of FIG. 1 showing the first embodiment of the post insert in relation to the various other structures of the fence system.
FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 4 and shows a second embodiment of the post insert of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an elevational view of a third embodiment of the post insert of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the third embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 4 showing the third embodiment of the post insert in relation to various other structures of the third embodiment of the fence system.
Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the specification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The fencing system of the present invention is indicated generally at 10 in FIG. 1. System 10 includes a post mount 12 which is mounted on a foundation or base structure 14 such as a floorboard of a floor or platform, a concrete floor or the like or the ground itself. Post mount 12 is typically mounted on a plate 16 adjacent a lower end 20 thereof by welding, for example, and mounted via plate 16 to base structure 14 via bolts 18 or other suitable fasteners known in the art. Some examples of mounting structures for mounting a post mount are described in more detail in the above-referenced patents granted to the Applicant. Post mount 12 has an upper end 22 and is elongated between lower and upper ends 20 and 22, having a height H1 extending from upper end 20 to lower end 22.
In accordance with a feature of the invention and with continued reference to FIG. 1, system 10 includes a post insert 24 mounted atop post mount 12 adjacent upper end 22 thereof and distal lower end 20, as will be further detailed below. System 10 may also include outward projections 26 which extend outwardly from post mount 12. System 10 further includes a hollow post 28 having an upper end 29 and a lower end 31 which slides over post insert 24, projections 26, post mount 12 and plate 16. System 10 may include a cap member 30 seated atop post 28. System 10 includes an upper rail structure 32 and a lower rail structure 34 each mounted between a pair of adjacent posts 28. Upper rail structure 32 includes a rail 36 having a first end 38 and a second end 40 opposed thereto with rail 36 being elongated there between. Upper rail structure 32 further includes a rail mounting bracket 42 mounted on each post 28 as necessary to support rail 36 adjacent first end 38 thereof. Another rail mounting bracket 44 is mounted on each post 28 whereby the bracket 44 mounted on an adjacent post 28 supports rail 36 adjacent second end 40 thereof.
Lower rail structure 34 likewise includes a rail 46 having a first end 48 and the second end 50 opposed thereto and being elongated between ends 48 and 50. Lower rail structure 34 also includes a rail mounting bracket 52 mounted on each post 28 for supporting rail 46 adjacent first end 48 thereof. Another rail mounting bracket 54 is mounted on each post 28 opposite a respective rail mounting bracket 52 whereby each rail mounting bracket 54 supports one of rails 46 adjacent respective second end 50 thereof. Lower rail structure 34 is mounted in a conventional manner to a pair of adjacent posts 28.
With reference to FIGS. 2-4, post insert 24 is further detailed. Post insert 24 has an upper end 55 and a lower end 57 and is elongated therebetween, with lower end 57 being spaced upwardly a substantial distance (nearly that of height H1) from lower end 20 of post mount 12. Post insert 24 has a height H2 (FIG. 2) extending from upper end 55 to lower end 57. Height H1 (FIG. 1) of post mount 12 is over three times that of height H2 of post insert 24. Post insert 24 includes an upper sleeve or sidewall 56 having an outer surface 58 and an inner surface 60 (FIG. 4) defining an interior chamber or upwardly opening cavity 62. Upper sidewall 56 is substantially square as viewed from above or below although the shape may vary. Preferably however, sidewall 56 is non-circular in cross-section. Upper sidewall 56 extends upwardly from a separating wall 64 (FIG. 4) which serves as a base wall bounding the lower end of cavity 62. Upper sidewall 56 has a lower end 65 coincident with a lower surface of separating wall 64 and a height H3 (FIG. 2) extending from upper end 55 to lower end 65 which is approximately ¾ that of height H2 of post insert 24. Upper sidewall 56 includes four exterior flat portions 66 (FIGS. 2-3). Sidewall 56 defines a pair of holes 68 along one of the flat portions 66 and a second pair of holes 70 along opposed front portion 66 (FIG. 4). Holes 68 and 70 may be threaded if desired.
With continued reference to FIGS. 2-4, post insert 24 further includes a collar 72 extending downwardly from separating wall 64. Collar 72 includes a lower sidewall 74 which is substantially square in cross section and has an outer surface 76 and an inner surface 78 defining an interior chamber or downwardly opening cavity 80. Lower sidewall 74 is stepped inwardly from upper sidewall 56 at lower end 65 of sidewall 56 whereby outer surface 76 of lower sidewall 74 is disposed inwardly of outer surface 58 of upper sidewall 56. Lower sidewall 74 has a height H4 (FIG. 2) extending from lower end 65 of upper sidewall 56 to lower end 57 of post insert 24. Height H3 of upper sidewall 56 is approximately three times that of height H4 of lower sidewall 74. Lower sidewall 74 includes four substantially flat walls 82 with a respective projection or strengthening rib 84 extending outwardly from each flat wall 82 and formed integrally therewith. Each rib 84 extends from adjacent lower end 57 of post insert 24 to separating wall 64 to which rib 84 is connected and with which it is integrally formed. Collar 72 includes four projections 86 each of which extends inwardly from lower sidewall 74 and is integrally formed therewith, each projection 86 defining a portion of inner surface 78 and defining a portion of downwardly opening cavity 80. More particularly, each projection 86 extends inwardly from a respective flat wall 82 of sidewall 74. Projections 86 are disposed adjacent separating wall 64 which bounds an upper end of cavity 80.
With reference to FIG. 4, post mount 12 is further detailed. Post mount 12 is a hollow structure including a sidewall 88 which is substantially square in cross-section and has an outer surface 90. The square cross-sectional configuration provides for four exterior flat portions 92 (only two flat portions 92 are shown in FIG. 4). Post mount 12 adjacent upper end 22 thereof is slidably received within downwardly opening cavity 80 of post insert 24 so that upper end 22 abuts separating wall 64 of post insert 24. Thus, the lower surface of separating wall 64 is disposed a distance equal to height H1 (FIG. 1) from lower end 20 of post mount 12 when post insert 24 is mounted on post mount 12. In addition, outer surface 90 of sidewall 88 of post insert 24 engages inner surface 78 of lower sidewall 74 along projections 86. More particularly, each flat portion 92 of sidewall 88 is in frictional engagement with a respective inward projection 86.
With further reference to FIG. 4, each outward projection 26 mounted on post mount 12 includes an upper substantially horizontal leg 94 which extends outwardly from and is connected to post mount 12 adjacent and spaced downwardly from upper end 22. A tab 96 angles downwardly and outwardly from and is connected to leg 94, each tab 96 having an outermost edge 98. Lower end 57 of post insert 24 is seated atop an upper surface of leg 94 of each outward projection 26.
With continued reference to FIG. 4, post 28 has a sidewall 100 which is substantially square in cross-section and is elongated between upper end 29 and lower end 31 (FIG. 1). Sidewall 100 has an outer surface 102 and an inner surface 104 defining an interior chamber or cavity 106 which opens upwardly adjacent upper end 29 and opens downwardly adjacent lower end 31. Outer surface 102 of sidewall 100 includes four flat exterior surfaces 108, two of which are shown in FIG. 4. Inner surface 104 of sidewall 100 includes four interior flat surfaces 110, three of which are shown in FIG. 4. Sidewall 100 defines a pair of holes 112 extending from one exterior flat surface 108 to a corresponding interior flat surface 110 whereby holes 112 are aligned with respective holes 68 in post insert 24. Sidewall 100 also defines a pair of holes 114 extending from another exterior flat surface 108 to a corresponding interior flat surface 110, the latter of said flat surfaces 108 and 110 being on the opposite side of post 28 from holes 112. Holes 114 are aligned respectively with holes 70 in post insert 24. Holes 68, 70, 112 and 114 are all disposed upwardly of upper end 22 of post mount 12.
When assembled (FIG. 4), post insert 24, post mount 12 and outward projections 26 are slidably received within cavity 106 of post 28. Outermost edges 98 of tabs 96 of projections 26 are in frictional engagement with respective interior flat surfaces 110 of sidewall 100 of post 28. Post insert 24 is positioned within cavity 106 of post 28 so that upper end 55 of post mount 24 is adjacent upper end 29 of post 28. In addition, outer surface 58 of post insert 24 is disposed closely adjacent or in contact with inner surface 104 of post 28. In particular, each flat portion 66 of post insert 24 is closely adjacent or in contact with a respective interior flat surface 110 of post 28. More particularly, outer surface 58 is closely adjacent inner surface 104 of post 28 adjacent upper end 55 and lower end 65 of sidewall 56. Preferably, outer surface 58 of sidewall 56 is in its entirety closely adjacent inner surface 104 of post 28.
With continued reference to FIG. 4, rail mounting bracket 42 includes a base wall 116 and a collar 118 extending outwardly therefrom to define a cavity 120 in which first end 38 of one rail 36 is slidably received with first end 38 closely adjacent or in contact with base wall 116. Collar 118 and base wall 116 of bracket 42 further define a pair of counterbore holes 122 which are aligned with respective holes 114 in post 28 and 70 in post insert 24. A pair of fasteners in the form of threaded screws 124 are each inserted via one of counterbore holes 122 through respective holes 114 and 70, with each screw 124 threadably engaging hole 70 to secure rail mounting bracket 42 to post insert 24 with a portion of sidewall 100 of post 28 sandwiched therebetween, thereby mounting upper rail structure 32 to post 28 and post mount 12.
Thus, in accordance with a feature of the invention, rail mounting bracket 42 is connected to post insert 24 as opposed to being connected solely to post 28, thereby providing a substantially sturdier connection. In addition, because upper sidewall 56 of post insert 24 extends upwardly of upper end 22 of post mount 12, rail mounting bracket 42 is disposed upwardly of upper end 22 of post mount 12. Indeed, bracket 42 is disposed entirely above upper end 22 of post mount 12 whereby first end 38 of rail 36 is also disposed entirely above upper end 22. Since each rail 36 is substantially straight and substantially horizontal, each rail 36 therefore is disposed entirely above upper end 22 of post 12 so that the entire rail structure 32 is disposed entirely above upper end 22 of post 12. Rail mounting bracket 44 has the same configuration as rail mounting bracket 42 or is a mirror image thereof, is numbered similarly and mounted as described with regard to bracket 42. Thus, second end 40 of second rail 36 is received in cavity 120 of mounting bracket 44 with second end 40 disposed closely adjacent or in contact with base wall 116 of bracket 44. Similar to bracket 42, rail mounting bracket 44 is secured to post insert 24 by a pair of threaded screws 124 extending via respective counterbore holes 122 through respective holes 112 and 68 with each screw 124 threadably engaging hole 68. Cap member 30 is seated atop post 28 to protect the hollow interior chamber 106 thereof from the elements and provide preferred aesthetics.
With reference to FIG. 5, fencing system 200 is described. System 200 is similar to system 10 except that it has a post insert 202 which is slightly different than that of post insert 24 of system 10. In particular, post insert 202 is similar to post insert 24 except with regard to a collar 204 which differs from collar 72 of post insert 24. Collar 204 is free of inward projections such as projections 86 of post insert 24. Thus, collar 204 includes a lower sidewall 206 having a substantially square inner surface 208 which is in mating configuration to outer surface 90 of post mount 12 along virtually the entire length of the portion of post mount 12 adjacent upper end 22 thereof which is slidably received within a downwardly opening cavity 210 defined by inner surface 208 of collar 204. In addition, collar 204 defines a plurality of holes as at 212 through which respective fasteners in the form of threaded screws 214 extend and threadably engage holes 216 (which may or may not be threaded) formed in post mount 12 adjacent upper end 22 thereof to further secure post insert 202 to post mount 12. Screws 214 are optional and may be used in the first embodiment as well if desired.
Thus, fencing systems 10 and 200 provide a sturdier mounting system than is known of in the prior art. In particular, post insert 24 provides a sturdier mounting structure to which upper rail structure 32 may be mounted. In particular, post inserts 24 and 202 each provide a structure other than the post itself to which the rail structures or rail mounting brackets are directly secured. Further, outer surface 58 of post insert 24 provides a substantial surface area which is disposed closely adjacent or in contact with inner surface 104 of post 28, thus providing greater stability or sturdiness via a surface area which is larger than in known prior art as well as a substantial area which is closely adjacent or in abutment with the inner surface of the post. Post insert 24 or 202 is also firmly mounted atop post mount 12 as previously described with engagement with post mount 12 and inward projections 86 of post insert 24 or the elongated inner surface 208 of post insert 202. In addition, lower end 57 of post insert 24 or 202 abuts legs 94 of projections 26 to enhance the stable mounting of post inserts 24 and 202. Fasteners such as screws 214 may also increase this stability. Moreover, post mounts 24 and 202 extend primarily upwardly of upper end 22 of post mount 12, thereby allowing post mount 12 to be shorter while the post mount provides sufficient height for mounting of the rail structure.
It will be evident to one skilled in the art that a variety of changes could be made to present embodiments described which are within the scope of the present invention. For example, as previously mentioned or implied, the cross-sectional shapes of the post, the post insert and the post mount may take on a variety of shapes other than square while still being within the scope of the present invention. As previously noted, preferably these cross-sectional shapes are non-circular in order to facilitate the alignment of the various pieces and related holes and fasteners. In addition, it is preferred that the cross-sectional shape of the outer surface of the post insert upper sidewall is substantially the same as that of the inner surface of the post. It is also preferred that this be the case for the outer surface of the post mount and the inner surface of the lower sidewall of the post insert in the area where they engage one another.
Most typically, post mount 12 is formed of a metal or metal alloy to provide the desired strength, although this may vary for certain applications. Most typically, the post mounts are formed of an extrudable shape to keep costs lower. Similarly, the posts and rails are most preferably formed of extrudable materials and shapes. Most commonly, the rails, rail mounting brackets, post and post insert will be formed of a sturdy plastic material, although again this may vary in accordance with the application.
In addition, rail structures 36 and 46 are shown in the drawings as being formed from more than one piece, namely a rail 36 and rail mounting bracket 42 or 44. Such a configuration allows the rail to be extrudable as previously noted. However, it is contemplated that the rail structure may be a one-piece member which may be formed integrally and has suitable flanges or other structure suitable for mounting to the post insert. Most preferably, the rail structures are mounted to the post insert via fasteners which extend through holes as described and most preferably involve a threaded engagement between the fastener and the post insert. However, other types of suitable fasteners may be used to secure the rail structure to the post insert. For example, fasteners which extend through holes analogous to those described herein and which engage a second fastening member such as a nut may be used. Although this type fastener may require additional effort during assembly, the upwardly opening cavity of the post insert provides access from above to permit the use of these types of fasteners.
In addition, the collars of the post inserts as described herein define a cavity which slidably receives an upper end of the post mount in order to mount the post insert atop the post mount. However, it is contemplated that the first insert may be mounted with a downwardly extended projection which is inserted into the hollow interior of the post mount. However, a collar or similar structure disposed outwardly in the post mount is preferred to provide greater stability. Further, outward projections such as projections 26 which extend from the post mount may be eliminated although they provide additional support to the post insert as well as the post. The specific heights detailed herein may vary. However, the heights which are specified represent typical relationships between various structures of which those heights are given. Other changes within the scope of the invention will be evident to one skilled in the art.
A third embodiment of the post insert is shown generally at 302 in FIG. 6 and in use with a fence system 300 shown in FIG. 8. Post insert 302 is preferably formed as an integral one-piece member which is typically formed of a rigid plastic material which may be formed in a single mold by injection molding or the like. Post insert 302 has upper and lower ends 304 and 306 defining therebetween height H2, as previously discussed with the earlier embodiments, which is preferably greater than or at least as great as the height of mounting brackets 42 and 44. Post insert 302 comprises a body which includes an upper section or sidewall 308 and a lower section or sidewall 310 which extends downwardly therefrom and has a smaller cross-section than that of upper sidewall 308. Upper sidewall 308 has a lower end 312 so that upper end 304 and lower end 312 define therebetween height H3 as discussed with the previous embodiments. Lower sidewall 310 has an upper end 314 coincident with lower end 312 of upper sidewall 308. Upper and lower ends 314 define therebetween height H4 as previously discussed with the earlier embodiments. Lower sidewall 310 has a cross-section substantially smaller than that of the lower sidewalls of the previous embodiments and is configured to be received within an upper end of post mount 12 (FIG. 8). More particularly, post mount 12 has a substantially square inner surface 316 defining an interior chamber or cavity 318 therewithin which communicates with the upper end of post mount 12 which includes an upwardly facing surface 320.
Upper sidewall 308 has a substantially square cross-sectional configuration as viewed from above or below and includes four substantially flat vertically extending mounting walls 322A-D which are respectively connected to one another at four corners of upper sidewall 308 and collectively form an outer surface 324 thereof. Outer surface 324 on each mounting wall 322 thus includes a respective external flat portion 326. Upper sidewall 308 has an inner surface 328 which defines an upper cavity 330 which opens upwardly at upper end 304 and is closed at the bottom by a laterally extending separating wall 332 which is typically horizontal and from which sidewall 308 extends upwardly. Upper cavity 330 is substantially rectangular as viewed from the side and substantially square as viewed from above.
A pair of upper holes 334 (FIG. 8) are formed respectively in opposed mounting walls 322B and 322C each extending from inner surface 328 to outer surface 324 and respectively aligned with upper holes 112 and 114 formed in post 28. Upper holes 334 are adjacent upper end 304 of post insert 302. A pair of lower holes are formed respectively through walls 322B and 322C adjacent lower end 312 of sidewall 308 and are aligned with respective lower holes 112 and 114 formed in post 28. Holes 334 and 336 are respectively received therein screws 124 to secure mounting brackets 42 and 44 to upper sidewall 308 in a similar manner described in the previous embodiments. Outer surface 324 thus extends upwardly above the upper end of post mount 12 and abuts inner surface 104 of post 28 with flat portions 326 abutting respective flat portions 110. Separating wall 332 serves as a bottom wall extending inwardly from each of mounting walls 322 and preferably extends in a continuous manner between the opposed mounting walls. Separating wall 332 is substantially square and defines horizontal lower surface 312 of upper sidewall 308.
Lower sidewall 310 has a substantially square cross-sectional configuration and is connected centrally to wall 332 and extends downwardly from lower surface 312. The cross-sectional configuration of lower sidewall 310 is substantially smaller than that of upper sidewall 308. Lower sidewall 310 includes four substantially flat vertically extending walls 338A-D which are respectively parallel to mounting walls 322A-D and together define an outer surface 340 of sidewall 310 including four external flat portions or surfaces 342 respectively on walls 338. Outer surface 340 also includes vertically extending beveled corners or surfaces 343 which extend downwardly from surface 312 to adjacent lower end 306 and each of which is typically at an angle of about 45 degrees to each of outer surfaces 342 which it intersects. Beveled surfaces 343 may also be rounded or otherwise shaved to eliminate sharp corners which might otherwise engage post mount 12 to prevent insertion of lower sidewall 310 therein or make it more difficult to insert. Sidewall 310 has an inner surface 344 defining a substantially square lower cavity 346 which is bounded at the top by lower surface 312 of wall 332 and extends and opens downwardly at lower end 306. Lower sidewall 310 tapers inwardly at respective tapered surfaces 348 extending respectively along walls 338A-D such that surfaces 348 communicate with lower end 306. Tapered surfaces 348 facilitate the insertion of lower sidewall 310 into cavity 318 of post mount 12. In the exemplary embodiment, the walls of 338 of lower section 310 have a thickness extending in the horizontal direction which is about the same as the thickness of wall 332 extending in a vertical direction. Walls 322 of upper section 308 are substantially thicker than either of walls 338 or 332 and more particularly in the exemplary embodiment have a thickness extending in the horizontal direction which is approximately twice that of either of walls 332 and 338.
Referring to FIG. 8, a pair of holes 350 are formed respectively through walls 338B and 338C and are aligned with holes 352 formed through post mount 12 adjacent its upper end. Holes 350 and 352 receive therethrough a fastener in the form of a bolt 354 which threadedly engages a, nut 356 to secure post insert 302 to post mount 12 adjacent its upper end. While such a fastener is preferred for additional security, post insert 302 may be used without such a fastener and simply positioned so that lower surface 312 is seated on upwardly facing surface 320 of post mount 12. Lower surface 312 thus serves as a stop engaging upper surface 320 to prevent downward movement of post insert 302 relative to post mount 12.
Post insert 302 has a body which includes a lower section having an outer surface 340 which extends substantially vertically and abuts vertical inner surface 316 of post mount 12 adjacent its upper end, preferably providing a snug frictional engagement therebetween so that post insert 302 either is not or is only minimally laterally movable relative to post mount 12 even without the use of a fastener. The body of post insert 302 includes a laterally extending downwardly facing surface 312 which extends laterally outwardly from surface 340 to engage upwardly facing surface 320 and in the exemplary embodiment is substantially horizontal. The body of post insert 302 further includes an outer surface 324 which extends upwardly from laterally extending surface 312 and abuts the substantially vertical inner surface 104 of post 28 when received therein. In the exemplary embodiment, first section 308 is disposed entirely above post mount 12. Thus, no portion of post insert 302 is disposed below the upper end 320 of post mount external to post mount 12 and thus no portion of post insert 302 engages outer surface 90 of post mount 12. However, it is contemplated that a post insert may be formed similar to post insert 302 which also incorporates a structure similar to sidewall 74 of post insert 24 (FIG. 2) which is disposed external to post insert 12 and engages its outer surface to provide additional stability.
In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.
Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.

Claims

1. A post insert for use with a fencing system comprising a post mount which has an upper end with an upwardly-facing surface, a lower end and an outer surface extending therebetween and a cavity in the upper end bounded by an inner surface and which is adapted to be mounted adjacent the lower end thereof to a foundation; a structural member having an inner surface defining a cavity in an end of the structural member; the post mount being slidably received in the cavity of the structural member with the inner surface of the structural member spaced outwardly from the outer surface of the post mount; and a rail structure secured to the structural member; the post insert comprising:

a body;

a lower section on the body insertable into the cavity of the post mount;

an upper section on the body connected to and extending upwardly from the lower section; and

an outer surface on the upper section disposed outwardly of the lower sidewall and adapted to abut the inner surface of the structural member.

2. The post insert of claim 1 further comprising a lower end on the lower section which tapers inwardly to facilitate insertion of the lower section into the cavity of the post mount.

3. The post insert of claim 1 further comprising an outer surface on the lower section adapted to abut the inner surface of the post mount.

4. The post insert of claim 3 further comprising a laterally extending wall connected to the lower section and extending outwardly of the outer surface of the lower section.

5. The post insert of claim 4 wherein the laterally extending wall is adapted to abut the upwardly-facing surface of the post mount.

6. The post insert of claim 3 wherein the outer surface of the lower section comprises a plurality of flat surfaces and a plurality of beveled corners each extending between an adjacent pair of the flat surfaces.

7. The post insert of claim 1 further comprising an outer surface on the lower section; and a hole formed in the lower section extending inwardly from the outer surface adapted to receive therein a fastener.

8. The post insert of claim 7 further comprising first and second opposed sides on the outer surface of the lower section; and wherein the hole is a through hole extending from the first side to the second side.

9. The post insert of claim 8 wherein the lower section is formed as an integral one-piece member.

10. The post insert of claim 1 further comprising an outer surface on the lower section; and a fastener extending outwardly from the outer surface of the lower section and adapted to extend to the inner surface of the post mount.

11. The post insert of claim 10 further comprising a hole formed in the lower section extending inwardly from the outer surface; and wherein the fastener is disposed in the hole in the lower section.

12. The post insert of claim 1 wherein the post insert is formed as an integral one-piece member.

13. The post insert of claim 1 in combination with the post mount; and wherein the lower section is inserted in the cavity of the post mount.

14. The post insert of claim 13 further comprising an outer surface on the lower section abutting the inner surface of the post mount.

15. The post insert of claim 13 further comprising the structural member; and wherein the outer surface of the upper section abuts the inner surface of the structural member.

16. The post insert of claim 15 further comprising a rail mounting bracket; and a fastener extending from the rail mounting bracket through the structural member to the upper section to secure the mounting bracket and structural member to the post insert.

17. The post insert of claim 1 further comprising an outer surface on the lower section; and a fastener extending from the outer surface of the lower section to the inner surface of the post mount to secure the post insert to the post mount.

18. The post insert of claim 17 further comprising a hole formed in the post mount in which the fastener is disposed.

19. The post insert of claim 18 further comprising a hole formed in the lower section in which the fastener is disposed.

20. The post insert of claim 17 further comprising a hole formed in the lower section in which the fastener is disposed.