Flashing cap and stabilizer for architectural columns

Abstract

This disclosure relates generally to structural columns used in both residential and commercial construction. The disclosure describes a fabricated cap for columns and column capitals that provides flashing protection to the column from deterioration through exposure to the elements, lateral support to the column at its upper end and proper alignment of the column's decorative capital. The disclosure is of novel design such that interfitting keys are provided which prevent the encroachment of external elements—rain, debris, insects, etc.—into the top of the interior shaft of the hollow column, thereby protecting against decay of the axial support strength of the column, which provide significant support to the column to resist lateral forces that may be applied to and cause the displacement of the upper end of the column from its desired position and which provide a means for aligning the column's decorative capital relative to the supported structure.

1 . A flashing cap for use in a column installation, the flashing cap comprising a base capable of being fixedly secured to a supported structure and at least one of a column retention member and a capital retention element, each of the column retention member and capital retention element depending from an inside surface of the base, whereby the base is sized to cover an upper end of the column and an upper end of a capital associated with the column, the column retention member engaging the upper end of the column to stabilize the column against lateral movement, and the capital retention element engaging a capital associated with the column to stabilize the capital against movement. 
   
   
       2 . The flashing cap of  claim 1  wherein the capital retention element has an interior dimension and an exterior dimension and where the interior dimension is defined by an exterior dimension of the capital. 
   
   
       3 . The flashing cap of  claim 1  wherein the capital retention element is a marginal retaining wall, said marginal retaining wall having an interior dimension and an exterior dimension, the marginal retaining wall extending around at least a portion of an outer edge of the base portion. 
   
   
       4 . The flashing cap of  claim 3  wherein the interior dimension of the marginal retaining wall is defined by an exterior dimension of the capital. 
   
   
       5 . The flashing cap of  claim 4  wherein the marginal retaining wall forms a cavity to receive the upper end of the capital. 
   
   
       6 . The flashing cap of  claim 1  wherein the column retention member is an interior wall or flange, the interior wall or flange having an interior dimension and an exterior dimension. 
   
   
       7 . The flashing cap of  claim 6  wherein the interior wall or flange forms a cavity to receive the upper end of the column. 
   
   
       8 . The flashing cap of  claim 7  wherein the interior dimension of the interior wall or flange is defined by an exterior dimension of the column. 
   
   
       9 . The flashing cap of  claim 7  wherein the interior wall has a closed or open configuration. 
   
   
       10 . The flashing cap of  claim 6  wherein the interior wall or flange is received in a hollow portion within the upper end of the column. 
   
   
       11 . The flashing cap of  claim 10  wherein the exterior dimension of the interior wall or flange is defined by an interior dimension of the column. 
   
   
       12 . The flashing cap of  claim 10  wherein the interior wall has a closed or open configuration. 
   
   
       13 . The flashing cap of  claim 1  wherein the column retention member is a solid or semi-solid plug, said plug having an exterior dimension. 
   
   
       14 . The flashing cap of  claim 13  wherein the plug is received in a hollow portion within the upper end of the column. 
   
   
       15 . The flashing cap of  claim 14  wherein the exterior dimension of the plug is defined by an interior dimension of the column. 
   
   
       16 . The flashing cap of  claim 1  wherein the column retention member and the capital retention element are formed integral with the base. 
   
   
       17 . The flashing cap of  claim 1  wherein the base further comprising at least one opening therein to receive a connecting mechanism. 
   
   
       18 . The flashing cap of  claim 1  wherein the base is fixedly secured to the supported structure.