Fencing system and post insert for use therewith

Abstract

A fencing system includes a post mount mountable on a foundation and having a vertically extending outer surface. A post insert sits atop the post mount and has an outer surface disposed outwardly of the post mount outer surface. The post insert has an upper sidewall which extends upwardly of the post mount and defines an upwardly opening cavity. A post includes a sidewall having an inner surface defining a cavity therein in which the post mount and post insert are slidably received with the outer surface of the post insert preferably closely adjacent the post inner surface. A rail is mounted via a rail mounting bracket to the post insert. Threaded fasteners extend from the rail mounting bracket through respective holes in the post and are threaded into mounting holes in the post insert to provide a strong connection for the mounting of the rail mounting bracket and rail.

1 . A post insert for use with a fencing system comprising a post mount which has an upper end with an upwardly-facing surface, a lower end and an outer surface extending therebetween and a cavity in the upper end bounded by an inner surface and which is adapted to be mounted adjacent the lower end thereof to a foundation; a structural member having an inner surface defining a cavity in an end of the structural member; the post mount being slidably received in the cavity of the structural member with the inner surface of the structural member spaced outwardly from the outer surface of the post mount; and a rail structure secured to the structural member; the post insert comprising: 
 a body;    a lower section on the body insertable into the cavity of the post mount;    an upper section on the body connected to and extending upwardly from the lower section; and    an outer surface on the upper section disposed outwardly of the lower sidewall and adapted to abut the inner surface of the structural member.    
   
   
       2 . The post insert of  claim 1  further comprising a lower end on the lower section which tapers inwardly to facilitate insertion of the lower section into the cavity of the post mount.  
   
   
       3 . The post insert of  claim 1  further comprising an outer surface on the lower section adapted to abut the inner surface of the post mount.  
   
   
       4 . The post insert of  claim 3  further comprising a laterally extending wall connected to the lower section and extending outwardly of the outer surface of the lower section.  
   
   
       5 . The post insert of  claim 4  wherein the laterally extending wall is adapted to abut the upwardly-facing surface of the post mount.  
   
   
       6 . The post insert of  claim 3  wherein the outer surface of the lower section comprises a plurality of flat surfaces and a plurality of beveled corners each extending between an adjacent pair of the flat surfaces.  
   
   
       7 . The post insert of  claim 1  further comprising an outer surface on the lower section; and a hole formed in the lower section extending inwardly from the outer surface adapted to receive therein a fastener.  
   
   
       8 . The post insert of  claim 7  further comprising first and second opposed sides on the outer surface of the lower section; and wherein the hole is a through hole extending from the first side to the second side.  
   
   
       9 . The post insert of  claim 8  wherein the lower section is formed as an integral one-piece member.  
   
   
       10 . The post insert of  claim 1  further comprising an outer surface on the lower section; and a fastener extending outwardly from the outer surface of the lower section and adapted to extend to the inner surface of the post mount.  
   
   
       11 . The post insert of  claim 10  further comprising a hole formed in the lower section extending inwardly from the outer surface; and wherein the fastener is disposed in the hole in the lower section.  
   
   
       12 . The post insert of  claim 1  wherein the post insert is formed as an integral one-piece member.  
   
   
       13 . The post insert of  claim 1  in combination with the post mount; and wherein the lower section is inserted in the cavity of the post mount.  
   
   
       14 . The post insert of  claim 13  further comprising an outer surface on the lower section abutting the inner surface of the post mount.  
   
   
       15 . The post insert of  claim 13  further comprising the structural member; and wherein the outer surface of the upper section abuts the inner surface of the structural member.  
   
   
       16 . The post insert of  claim 15  further comprising a rail mounting bracket; and a fastener extending from the rail mounting bracket through the structural member to the upper section to secure the mounting bracket and structural member to the post insert.  
   
   
       17 . The post insert of  claim 1  further comprising an outer surface on the lower section; and a fastener extending from the outer surface of the lower section to the inner surface of the post mount to secure the post insert to the post mount.  
   
   
       18 . The post insert of  claim 17  further comprising a hole formed in the post mount in which the fastener is disposed.  
   
   
       19 . The post insert of  claim 18  further comprising a hole formed in the lower section in which the fastener is disposed.  
   
   
       20 . The post insert of  claim 17  further comprising a hole formed in the lower section in which the fastener is disposed.