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,    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; and    a plurality of support fins connected between said web and said 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, said fixture further comprising at least one support fin connected between said web and each said friction plate.  
   
   
       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 at an obtuse angle, said support fins extending transverse to said horizontal plate and from respective edges of said friction plates.  
   
   
       4 . 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.  
   
   
       5 . 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, said fitting further comprising at least one elongated expansion slot.  
   
   
       6 . 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,    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, and    a plurality of support fins connected between said web and said friction plates.    
   
   
       7 . The post assembly of  claim 6 , 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 at an obtuse angle, said support fins extending transverse to said horizontal plate and from respective edges of said friction plates.  
   
   
       8 . The post assembly of  claim 6 , 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.  
   
   
       9 . The post assembly of  claim 6 , 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, said fitting further comprising at least one elongated expansion slot.  
   
   
       10 . The post assembly of  claim 9 , wherein said fitting includes four elongated expansion slots.  
   
   
       11 . 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; a plurality of friction plates extending from and connected to said web, and a plurality of support fins connected between said web and said friction plates.  
   
   
       12 . The fixture of  claim 11 , further comprising a fastener for securing said fixture to said support structure.  
   
   
       13 . The fixture of  claim 11 , wherein said fixture includes four friction plates, each friction plate having at least one support fin connected thereto.  
   
   
       14 . The fixture of  claim 11 , wherein said fitting includes at least one hole adapted to receive a threaded fastener for securing said fitting to said elongated support structure.  
   
   
       15 . The fixture of  claim 11 , wherein said bore is cylindrical, and wherein said elongated support structure has a cylindrical shape, said fitting further comprising at least one elongated expansion slot.  
   
   
       16 . The fixture of  claim 11 , 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 at an obtuse angle, said support fins extending transverse to said horizontal plate and from respective edges of said friction plates.  
   
   
       17 . The post assembly of  claim 15 , wherein said fitting includes four elongated expansion slots.  
   
   
       18 . The fixture of  claim 12 , 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.  
   
   
       19 . 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, said fitting having at least one elongated expansion slot;    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.    
   
   
       20 . The fixture of  claim 19 , wherein said fixture includes four friction plates, each friction plate extending from a separate peripheral edge of said rectangular plate.  
   
   
       21 . The fixture of  claim 19 , 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.  
   
   
       22 . The fixture of  claim 19 , 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.  
   
   
       23 . The fixture as in any one of claims  19 - 22 , further comprising a plurality of support fins, said support fins connected between said web and one of said friction plates.