Fence cap system

Abstract

A multi-part fence cap system. The fence cap system has a base unit sized and shaped for attachment to a fence post. A cap portion, selectable from a plurality of different shaped cap portions, is sized and shaped for interfitting mating engagement with an upper attachment flange of the base unit. Available cap portion include a pyramidal shaped cap, a flat top cap with sloping peripheral edges, and a cardinal hat shaped dome cap. For convenience, in one embodiment the cap portion is provided with a snap-on feature to allow a substantially leakless finished fence cap design. For over size posts, an adapter sub-base unit is provided for receiving therein the base unit. In one embodiment, the fence posts are rectangular, and the base unit is adapted to fit over the exposed upper end of the fence post.

1 . A post cap system, said cap system adapted for mounting on a fence post or other post, said post cap system comprising: 
 (a) a base unit, said base unit comprising 
 (i) a downwardly extending peripheral edge flange, and  
 (ii) an upwardly extending attachment portion, said attachment portion further comprising a first component of a ridge/groove attachment system;  
 (iii) extending from said downwardly extending peripheral edge flange to said upwardly extending attachment portion, an architectural sidewall of preselected height;  
   (b) a cap portion, said cap portion comprising 
 (i) a lower attachment rim, said lower attachment rim further comprising a second component of a ridge/groove attachment system, said second component sized and shaped for complementary mating engagement with said first component of said ridge/groove attachment system, and  
 (ii) an upwardly extending leakless weather tight roof portion.  
   
     
     
         2 . The fence cap system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein a single cap portion is selected from a plurality of cap portion candidates, and wherein said cap portion candidates comprise at least two different architectural design weather tight roof portions.  
     
     
         3 . The fence cap system as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein said different architectural design weather tight roof portions are selected from the set consisting of (a) a flat roof portion design, (b) a pyramidal roof portion design, and (c) a cardinal hat shaped domed roof portion design.  
     
     
         4 . The fence cap system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said base unit is comprised of plastic.  
     
     
         5 . The fence cap system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said cap portion is comprised of plastic.  
     
     
         6 . The fence cap system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said base unit further comprises a cross-fastener support, and wherein said cross fastener support comprises at least on support member having a bore therein defined by a sidewall portion, said bore sized and shaped to accommodate a fastener therethrough for attachment of said base unit to a substrate.  
     
     
         7 . The fence cap system as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising an adapter sub-base, said adapter sub-base comprising 
 (a) a peripheral flange    (b) a sidewall portion,    (c) a base receiving portion, said base receiving portion sized and shaped for receiving therein said downwardly extending peripheral edge flange of said base unit therein.    
     
     
         8 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein said base receiving portion comprises a generally U-shaped upwardly opening receiving trough.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 7 ,whrein said generally U-shaped upwardly opening receiving trough comprises a water tight receiver, so that any water received therein cannot penetrate therethrough to attack a fence post on which said adapter sub-base is mounted.  
     
     
         10 . A fence cap system for covering an exposed upper end and adjacent upper edges of a fence post, said fence cap system comprising: 
 (a) a base means, said base means having (i) a peripheral edge portion adapted to snugly fit about said upper edges of said fence post, and (ii) a an upwardly extending attachment portion, said attachment portion further comprising a first component of a ridge/groove attachment system, and (iii) extending from said downwardly extending peripheral edge flange to said upwardly extending attachment portion, a sidewall; and    (b) a cap means, said cap means having (i) a lower rim, said lower rim further comprising a second component of a ridge/groove attachment system, said second component sized and shaped for complementary mating engagement with said first component of said ridge/groove attachment system, and (ii) an upwardly extending roof portion.    
     
     
         11 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein said base means further comprises mounting means, said mounting means comprising a support member having at least one passageway therethrough for receiving a fastener therethrough.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , or in  claim 7 , or in  claim 10 , wherein said base means is sized and shaped to fit on an exposed end of a rectangular fence post.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein said base unit is sized and shaped to fit on an exposed upper end of a rectangular fence post that is of a nominal four inch by four inch (4×4) size.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein said adapter sub base is sized and shaped to fit on an exposed upper end of a rectangular fence post that is of a nominal five inch by five inch (5×5) size.  
     
     
         15 . A fence cap system, said fence cap system adapted for mounting on a fence post, to protect the upper end thereof, said fence cap system comprising: 
 (a) a base unit, said base unit comprising 
 (i) a downwardly extending peripheral edge, and  
 (ii) an upwardly extending attachment portion, said attachment portion further comprising a first component of an attachment system;  
 (iii) extending from said downwardly extending peripheral edge to said upwardly extending attachment portion, a sidewall of preselected design and height;  
 (iv) at least one attachment member, said attachment member comprising a receiving portion sized and shaped to receive therein a fastener for securing said base unit to said fence post;  
   (b) a cap portion, said cap portion comprising 
 (i) a lower rim, said lower rim further comprising a second component of an attachment system, said second component sized and shaped for complementary engagement with said first component of said attachment system, and  
 (ii) an upwardly extending roof portion.  
   
     
     
         16 . The fence cap system as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein a single cap portion is selected from a plurality of cap portion candidates, and wherein said cap portion candidates comprise at least two different architectural design weather tight roof portions.  
     
     
         17 . The fence cap system as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein said different architectural design weather tight roof portions are selected from the set consisting of (a) a flat roof portion design, (b) a pyramidal roof portion design, and (c) a cardinal hat shaped domed roof portion design.  
     
     
         18 . The fence cap system as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein said base portion is configured to rest evenly on said fence post.  
     
     
         19 . The fence cap system as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein said at least one attachment member comprises a plurality of cross-fastener support members, and wherein one or more of said cross-fastener support members further comprise guides having bores thereon sized and shaped to receive fasteners therethrough for affixing said base unit to said fence post.  
     
     
         20 . The fence cap system as set forth in  claim 19 , wherein at least four guides are provided.  
     
     
         21 . A cap system for posts having a peripheral upper end portion, said cap system comprising: 
 (a) a base unit, said base unit having 
 (i) a lower peripheral flange portion having interior sides; said interior sides sized and shaped to be complementary to said peripheral upper end of the post  
 (ii) an attachment portion having a first element of a complementary attachment system;  
   (b) a cap portion having 
 (i) an lower rim portion including a second element of a complementary attachment system, and  
 (ii) an upper cap portion integrally provided with said lower rim portion, said upper cap portion including a roof adapted for sheltering said post from rainwater intrusion.  
   
     
     
         22 . The cap system for posts as set forth in  claim 21 , further comprising a means for fastening said base unit to the post.  
     
     
         23 . The cap system for posts as set forth in  claim 22 , wherein said fastening means comprises a screw.  
     
     
         24 . The cap system for posts as set forth in  claim 23 , wherein said fastening means comprises a nail.  
     
     
         25 . The cap system for posts as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein said base unit and said cap portion are made of plastic.  
     
     
         26 . The cap system as set forth in  claim 25 , wherein said plastic is provided in a preselected color.  
     
     
         27 . The cap system as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein said base unit has four downwardly extending peripheral flange portions adapted for fitting said base unit on a rectangular post.  
     
     
         28 . A cap system configured for covering an upper end of a post, said cap system comprising: 
 (a) collar means for placement on the upper end of a post, said collar means including 
 a downwardly extending peripheral flange portion configured to circumscribe the upper end of the post when the collar means is placed thereon, said peripheral flange portion having a lower end;  
 one or more cross-members, said cross-members each further comprising one or more fastener guides;  
 an attachment portion, said attachment portion including a first member of an attachment system;  
 a sidewall extending from said peripheral flange portion to said attachment portion;  
   (b) cap means for placement on the collar means to cover the upper end of the post, said cap means including 
 (i) a lower rim portion having thereon a second element of an attachment system, and  
 (ii) a roof wall portion extending outwardly sufficiently to cover the upper end of the post  
   (c) wherein said first attachment means and said second attachment means are configured for complementary mating engagement to provide snap-on assembly.    
     
     
         29 . The cap system as set forth in  claim 28 , wherein the first element of the attachment system on said collar means unit comprises a recessed portion, and wherein the second element of the attachment system comprises an inwardly extending ridge portion of preselected length along a portion of a lower rim portion of said cap means, said ridge portion shaped for at least a portion therealong complementary to the said recessed portion in said first portion of said attachment system.  
     
     
         30 . The cap system as set forth in  claim 28 , wherein said cap portion includes an inner wall attached to said collar means, and an outer wall extending beyond the peripheral edge of said post.  
     
     
         31 . The cap system as set forth in  claim 30 , wherein said inner wall extends upwardly and vertically, and wherein said outer wall includes an outward sloping portion.  
     
     
         32 . The cap system as set forth in  claim 31 , wherein said outer wall further comprises a generally vertical outermost portion.  
     
     
         33 . The cap system as set forth in  claim 32 , wherein the collar means comprises an attachment portion having a perimeter with a groove formed therein, and wherein said cap means has an interior rim portion which nests in said groove when said at least ridge portions engage said groove.  
     
     
         34 . The combination of a post and a cap for said post, said combination comprising: 
 a post having an upper end;    a base unit having a lower peripheral edge flange sized and shaped to receive therein the upper end of said post, said base unit having four sides and further comprising an architectural sidewall and a first attachment portion having a recessed groove;    a cap portion having 
 a second attachment portion with a protruding bead shaped ridge portion, said ridge portion complementary in size and shape for complementary mating engagement with said recessed groove in said base unit, and  
 an upper roof portion, said roof portion adapted, in combination with said base unit, to prevent rain from directly reaching said upper end of said post.  
   
     
     
         35 . The combination as set forth in  claim 34 , wherein said cap portion further comprises a cap having a first interior rim portion having a second component of said attachment system adapted for engagement with said base unit, and a second flange extending downwardly and outwardly sufficiently to cover the upper end of the post.  
     
     
         36 . A method of installing a cap on a post having an upper end portion, said method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a base unit, said base unit having a downwardly extending flange sized and shaped to closely fit said upper end portion of the post, the base unit having an architectural sidewall and a first element of an attachment system,    affixing said base unit to the upper end of said post;    fastening said base unit to said post;    providing a cap portion having a lower rim portion with a second element of an attachment system thereon;    placing said cap portion on said base unit so that said second element of said attachment system is brought in to complementary mating engagement with said first element of said attachment system in said base unit.