Post leveling assembly and method of using same

Abstract

A post leveling assembly for indicating whether a fence or deck post is vertical or not is disclosed. The assembly includes a base, an arm pivotally mounted on the base and a marker disposed on the base. An assigned point on the arm lines up with the marker if the post is vertical and does not line up with the marker if the post is not vertical. In order for an installer to install a vertical post, the post is positioned initially in an approximately vertical position, the installer moves the post to the left or right until the assigned point on the arm aligns with the marker. The post is then permanently fixed into place.

1 . A post leveling assembly comprising: 
 a base;    at least one arm pivotally mounted to the base;    an indicator on said arm;    a marker disposed on the base; whereby alignment of the indicator with said marker indicates that the post is vertical; and non-alignment of the indicator with the marker indicates that the post is not vertical.    
   
   
       2 . The post leveling assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the base includes a top edge, a bottom edge and front and back surfaces; and the base defines an aperture proximate the top edge and wherein the arm is mounted onto the base by a pin that is received in the aperture.  
   
   
       3 . The post leveling assembly as defined in  claim 2 , wherein the aperture extends from the front surface of the base through to the back surface of the base.  
   
   
       4 . The post leveling assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the indicator on the arm comprises a V-shaped lower end of the arm that terminates in an apex and wherein the apex aligns with the marker when the post is vertical and does not align with the marker when the post is not vertical.  
   
   
       5 . The post leveling assembly as defined in  claim 4 , wherein the base includes a front surface and the marker comprises a detent that projects from the front surface of the base.  
   
   
       6 . The post leveling assembly as defined in  claim 5 , wherein the detent includes a second apex and the apex of the arm aligns with the second apex of the detent when the post is vertical and the apex of the arm does not align with the second apex of the detent when the post is not vertical.  
   
   
       7 . The post leveling assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the marker is selected from a group consisting of a groove, a ridge and a symbol.  
   
   
       8 . The post leveling assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the base is the post.  
   
   
       9 . The post leveling assembly as defined in  claim 8 , wherein the post includes a core and a removable sleeve and the post leveling assembly is permanently mounted onto the core.  
   
   
       10 . The post leveling assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the base is manufactured in a first color and the arm and marker are manufactured in a second color; and the first and second color strongly contrast each other.  
   
   
       11 . The post leveling assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the base is a member that is substantially L-shaped in cross-section and the member is adapted to engage a corner of a substantially rectangular or square post.  
   
   
       12 . The post leveling assembly as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the member has two legs disposed generally at 90 degrees to each other.  
   
   
       13 . The post leveling assembly as defined in  claim 12 , wherein each leg has an arm pivotally mounted thereon and each leg has a corresponding marker disposed thereon.  
   
   
       14 . The post leveling assembly as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the post includes a core and a removable sleeve and said member is adapted to be permanently mounted onto the core.  
   
   
       15 . The post leveling assembly as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the base is mounted to the core by a connector selected from the group consisting of adhesive, rivets and screws.  
   
   
       16 . The post leveling assembly as defined in  claim 11 , wherein each leg of the member has a front surface and a back surface and the back surface is adapted to abut the post; and wherein each leg defines an aperture that extends inwardly from the front surface toward the back surface.  
   
   
       17 . The post leveling assembly as defined in  claim 16 , further comprising a pin, wherein each arm is connected to its corresponding leg by the pin being inserted into the aperture.  
   
   
       18 . The post leveling assembly as defined in  claim 13 , wherein each arm includes a V-shaped lower end that terminates in an apex and the apex aligns with the marker when the post is vertical and does not align with the marker when the post is not vertical.  
   
   
       19 . The post leveling assembly as defined in  claim 18 , wherein the base includes a front surface and a back surface and the marker comprises a detent that projects from the front surface of the base.  
   
   
       20 . The post leveling assembly as defined in  claim 19 , wherein the detent includes a second apex and the apex of the arm aligns with the second apex of the detent when the post is vertical and the apex of the arm does not align with the second apex of the detent when the post is not vertical.  
   
   
       21 . The post leveling assembly as defined in  claim 13 , wherein the marker is selected from a group consisting of a groove, a ridge and a symbol.  
   
   
       22 . The post leveling assembly as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the base is manufactured in a first color and the arm and marker are manufactured in a second color; and the first and second color strongly contrast each other.  
   
   
       23 . A method of installing a vertical fence post comprising the steps of: 
 attaching a post leveling assembly to the post, wherein the post leveling assembly includes a base; at least one arm pivotally mounted to the base and at least one marker disposed on the base, wherein alignment of an indicator on the arm with the marker indicates that the post is vertical and non-alignment of the indicator with the marker indicates that the post is not vertical;    positioning the post in a location for installation;    moving the top of the post to the left or right until the indicator on the arm of the post leveling assembly aligns with the marker;    fixing the post into position.    
   
   
       24 . The method of installation as defined in  claim 23 , wherein the post includes a core and a removable sleeve and the step of attaching the post leveling assembly comprises attaching the post leveling assembly to the core.  
   
   
       25 . The method of installation as defined in  claim 24 , further comprising the steps of: 
 sliding the removable sleeve over the core and the attached post leveling assembly;    fixing the removable sleeve into position over the core.    
   
   
       26 . In combination: 
 a fence post;    a post leveling assembly comprising: 
 a base that is securable to the fence post;  
 at least one arm pivotally mounted on the base;  
 an indicator on the arm;  
 a marker on the base; whereby alignment of the indicator on the arm with the marker on the base indicates that the post is vertical and non-alignment of the indicator with the marker indicates that the post is not vertical.  
   
   
   
       27 . The combination of  claim 26 , wherein the arm is mounted on the base substantially parallel to an outer surface thereof; and wherein the arm pivots in a plane substantially parallel to the outer surface of the base.  
   
   
       28 . The combination of  claim 27 , wherein the marker is rigidly fixed to the outer surface of the base.  
   
   
       29 . The combination of  claim 26 , wherein the base comprises a substantially L-shaped member that is secured on a corner of the fence post, a first leg of the L-shaped member abutting a first side wall of the post and a second leg of the L-shaped member abutting a second side wall of the post.  
   
   
       30 . The combination of  claim 29 , wherein each of the first and second legs of the L-shaped member includes an arm with an indicator thereon and an associated marker for alignment with the indicator to show verticalness of the fence post.