Composite porch post/deck post with fastener mounting

Abstract

A resilient post for use on a porch or a deck having a floor and/or a roof deck is described. The post includes a plastic outer shell and a stiffening member that extends within the shell. At least one mounting member secures the stiffening member to the floor or roof of the porch or deck. The mounting member extends outside the shell and has at least one inner fastener hole for securing the stiffening member-to the mounting member. The mounting member also has at least one outer fastener hole for securing said mounting member to the floor or roof.

1 . A post for use on a porch or a deck having a floor and/or a ceiling comprising: 
 a plastic outer shell;    a stiffening member extending within said shell; and    at least one mounting member for securing said stiffening member to the floor or ceiling of the porch or deck, said mounting member extending outside said shell and having at least one inner fastener hole for receiving a fastener for securing said stiffening member to said mounting member and at least one outer fastener hole for receiving a fastener for securing said mounting member to said floor or ceiling.    
     
     
         2 . A post as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said at least one mounting member comprises two mounting members, one mounting member for securing said stiffening member to the floor and one mounting member for securing said stiffening member to the ceiling.  
     
     
         3 . A post as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said stiffening member comprises a length of metal tubing.  
     
     
         4 . A post as claimed in  claim 3  wherein said metal extrusion stiffening member defines a plurality of recesses for receiving a threaded fastener therein.  
     
     
         5 . A post as claimed in  claim 4  wherein said stiffening member is generally rectangular in cross-section with the plurality of recesses formed adjacent corners thereof.  
     
     
         6 . A post as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said post has relatively large ends and a reduced-dimension intermediate section there-between, said post further including shims positioned within said large ends to securely position said stiffening member centrally within said large ends.  
     
     
         7 . A post as claimed in  claim 6  wherein said shims are wooden.  
     
     
         8 . A post as claimed in  claim 6  wherein said shims are foam.  
     
     
         9 . A post as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said mounting member has four inner fastener holes and four outer fastener holes.  
     
     
         10 . A post as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said stiffening member comprises an aluminum extrusion.  
     
     
         11 . A resilient post for use with a floor and/or a ceiling comprising: 
 an outer shell having relatively large ends and a reduced-dimension intermediate section;    a metal extrusion extending longitudinally within said shell; and    at least one mounting member for securing said metal extrusion stiffening member to the floor or the ceiling, said mounting member extending outside said shell and having at least one inner fastener hole for securing said metal extrusion to said mounting member and at least one outer fastener hole for receiving a fastener for securing said mounting member to said floor or ceiling; and    at least one shim for securely positioning said metal extrusion centrally within said large end.    
     
     
         12 . A post as claimed in  claim 11  wherein said at least one mounting member comprises two mounting members, one mounting member for securing said stiffening member to the floor and one mounting member for securing said stiffening member to the ceiling.  
     
     
         13 . A post as claimed in  claim 11  wherein said at least one shim wooden.  
     
     
         14 . A post as claimed in  claim 11  wherein said metal extrusion comprises a generally rectangular aluminum extrusion with the screw receiving recesses formed in corners thereof.  
     
     
         15 . A modular railing for use with a deck or porch comprising: 
 at least one post for mounting to the deck or porch;    a plurality of rails extending from said at least one post; wherein said post comprises: 
 a plastic outer shell;  
 a stiffening member extending within said shell;  
 at least one mounting foot for securing said stiffening member to the floor of the porch or deck, said mounting member extending laterally outside said shell and having at least one inner fastener hole receiving a fastener there-through for securing said stiffening member to said mounting foot and at least one outer fastener hole receiving another fastener there-through for securing said mounting foot to the floor.  
   
     
     
         16 . A modular railing as claimed in  claim 14  wherein said stiffening member is an aluminum extrusion having a plurality of recesses formed therein for receiving a threaded fastener therein.  
     
     
         17 . A modular railing as claimed in  claim 14  wherein said post has large ends and a reduced-dimension intermediate section there-between, said post further including a shim positioned within at least one of said large ends to securely position said stiffening member centrally therein.