Fixture and mounting assembly for a fence post

Abstract

A post assembly for a hollow post includes an elongated support, preferably a standard pipe, at least one fixture, and, optionally, a mount. The fixture includes a fitting having a bore for receiving the elongated support, and a web that extends from the fitting to support a plurality of friction plates adapted to engage the inner walls of the hollow post. When employed, the mount allows for adjustment of the vertical alignment of the elongated support. The elongated support is attached to a bracket which is positioned over a base having a plurality of members extending upward through holes in the bracket. Movement of adjustment members positioned between the base and bracket allow for adjustment of the angle of the elongated support. A method of installation using the fixtures and mounts of the invention is also provided.

1 . A post assembly comprising: 
 an elongated support structure;    a hollow post having an inner cross-section defined by a plurality of inner walls, said support structure disposed within said post; and    at least one fixture disposed within said post, said fixture comprising    a fitting having a bore, said support structure disposed within said bore and secured thereto by at least one fastener,    a web extending outwardly from said fitting, and    a plurality of friction plates extending from said web, each friction plate having a first surface engaging a portion of one of said inner walls of said post, said friction plates positioned so that at least two opposing inner walls of said post are frictionally engaged by opposing friction plates.    
   
   
       2 . The post assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said fixture includes four friction plates, each friction plate engaging a separate inner wall of said post.  
   
   
       3 . The post assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said web comprises a horizontal plate, said horizontal plate including four peripheral edges and having a length and width less than that of said inner cross-section of said hollow post, said friction plates extending from respective edges of said horizontal plate.  
   
   
       4 . The post assembly of  claim 3 , wherein said friction plates extend from said respective edges of said horizontal plate at an obtuse angle formed between said horizontal plate and said friction plate.  
   
   
       5 . The post assembly of  claim 2  wherein said friction plates define a hollow cavity underlying said web, said fitting extending into said hollow cavity, at least one of said friction plates having an access opening through which said fastener can be engaged to secure said fixture to said support structure.  
   
   
       6 . The post assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said support structure includes a longitudinal axis, and said fitting comprises an elongated hollow cylinder defining said bore, said web extending outwardly from said fitting transverse to said longitudinal axis of said support structure.  
   
   
       7 . A post assembly comprising: 
 a hollow post having a square inner cross-section defined by four inner walls;    a pipe including a longitudinal axis disposed within said post; and    at least one fixture disposed within said post, said fixture comprising    a fitting having a bore, said pipe disposed within said bore and secured thereto by at least one fastener,    a web extending from said fitting transverse to said longitudinal axis of said pipe, and    four friction plates extending from said web, each friction plate having a first surface that engages one of said inner walls of said post along a portion thereof, said friction plates positioned so that each of said inner walls of said post are frictionally engaged by a separate friction plate.    
   
   
       8 . The post assembly of  claim 7 , wherein said web comprises a horizontal plate, said horizontal plate including four peripheral edges and having a length and width less than that of said inner cross-section of said hollow post, said friction plates extending from respective edges of said horizontal plate.  
   
   
       9 . The post assembly of  claim 8 , wherein said friction plates extend from said respective edges of said horizontal plate at an obtuse angle formed between said horizontal plate and said friction plate.  
   
   
       10 . The post assembly of  claim 7  wherein said friction plates define a hollow cavity underlying said web, said fitting extending into said hollow cavity, at least one of said friction plates having an access opening through which said fastener can be engaged to secure said fixture to said support structure.  
   
   
       11 . The post assembly of  claim 7 , wherein said support structure includes a longitudinal axis, and said fitting comprises an elongated hollow cylinder defining said bore, said web extending outwardly from said fitting transverse to said longitudinal axis of said pipe.  
   
   
       12 . A fixture for mounting a hollow post to a support structure comprising: a fitting including a bore adapted to receive an elongated support structure; a web extending from said fitting; and a plurality of friction plates extending from and connected to said web.  
   
   
       13 . The fixture of  claim 12 , further comprising a fastener for securing said fixture to said support structure.  
   
   
       14 . The fixture of  claim 12 , wherein said fixture includes four friction plates.  
   
   
       15 . The fixture of  claim 12 , wherein said fitting includes at least one hole adapted to receive a threaded fastener for securing said fitting to said elongated support structure.  
   
   
       16 . The fixture of  claim 12 , wherein said bore is cylindrical, and wherein said elongated support structure has a cylindrical shape.  
   
   
       17 . The fixture of  claim 12 , wherein said web includes a horizontal plate, said horizontal plate including four peripheral edges, said friction plates extending from said respective edges of said horizontal plate.  
   
   
       18 . The post assembly of  claim 17 , wherein said friction plates extend from said respective edges of said horizontal plate at an obtuse angle formed between said horizontal plate and said friction plate.  
   
   
       19 . The fixture of  claim 13 , wherein said friction plates define a hollow cavity underlying said web, said fitting extending into said hollow cavity, at least one of said friction plates having an access opening through which said fastener can be engaged to secure said fixture to said support structure.  
   
   
       20 . A fixture for mounting a hollow post comprising: 
 a fitting having a cylindrical bore adapted to receive a support pipe, said bore having a longitudinal axis;    a fastener for securing said fixture to said support pipe; and    a rectangular plate having four peripheral edges and extending outwardly from said fitting perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, said fitting positioned centrally with respect to said plate; and    a plurality of friction plates, at least two of said friction plates extending from opposing edges of said rectangular plate.    
   
   
       21 . The fixture of  claim 20 , wherein said fixture includes four friction plates, each friction plate extending from a separate peripheral edge of said rectangular plate.  
   
   
       22 . The fixture of  claim 20 , wherein said friction plates extend from said respective edges of said rectangular plate at an obtuse angle formed between said rectangular plate and said friction plate.  
   
   
       23 . The fixture of  claim 20 , wherein said friction plates define a hollow cavity underlying said rectangular plate, said fitting extending into said hollow cavity, at least one of said friction plates having an access opening through which said fastener can be engaged to secure said fixture to said pipe.  
   
   
       24 . A fixture for mounting a hollow post to a support structure comprising: 
 means for receiving an elongated support, said means adapted to secure said elongated support thereto; and    means for positioning said fixture within an interior of a hollow post.    
   
   
       25 . The fixture of  claim 24 , wherein said means for receiving said elongated support comprises a fitting having a bore and said elongated support comprises a pipe.  
   
   
       26 . A post assembly comprising: 
 a hollow post;    an elongated support structure disposed within said post; and    means for positioning said support structure in relationship to said hollow post.    
   
   
       27 . An adjustable mount for a hollow post, comprising: 
 an elongated support structure adapted to be positioned within an interior of a hollow post;    a mounting bracket including a plurality of holes, said elongated support structure extending from said mounting bracket;    a base underlying said mounting bracket and including a plurality of members extending upwardly through said holes; and    an adjustment member positioned on each of said members between said mounting bracket and said base, whereby movement of said adjustment member along said member adjusts an angle of said elongated support structure relative to said base.    
   
   
       28 . The adjustable mount of  claim 27 , wherein said support structure is a pipe.  
   
   
       29 . The adjustable mount of  claim 27 , wherein said base includes four members and said bracket includes four holes adapted to receive said members.  
   
   
       30 . A post assembly comprising: 
 a hollow post having a rectangular inner cross-section defined by four inner walls;    a pipe disposed within said post;    at least one fixture, comprising    a fitting having a bore, said pipe disposed within said bore and secured thereto by at least one fastener,    a web extending outwardly from said fitting, and    a plurality of friction plates extending from said web, each friction plate having a first surface that engages one of said inner walls of said post along a portion thereof, said friction plates positioned so that at least two opposing inner walls of said post are engaged by separate friction plates; and    an adjustable mount comprising:    a mounting bracket including a plurality of holes, said pipe extending from said mounting bracket;    a base underlying said mounting bracket and including a plurality of threaded members extending upwardly through said holes; and    an adjustment member positioned on each of said threaded members between said mounting bracket and said base, whereby movement of said adjustment member along said threaded member adjusts an angle of said pipe relative to said base.    
   
   
       31 . A method of installing a hollow post comprising: mounting a pipe to a base structure; securing at least one fixture as in any one of claims  12 - 19  to said elongated support structure; and fitting a hollow post comprising at least one opening at a first end over said pipe and said fixture.  
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein said mounting of said pipe further includes providing the adjustable mount of  claim 27  and further comprises adjusting the vertical orientation of said pipe by rotating one or more of said adjustment members.