Modular, Stackable Pillar

Abstract

A modular, stackable pillar having at least one hollow stackable section and at least one hollow crown section with a projection on the top of each stackable section, a mating depression on the bottom of each stackable section, and a mating depression on the bottom of the crown section with the projections and depressions being of such a cross section and shape that two or more stackable sections can be stacked on each other with a crown section on the uppermost stackable section such that the stackable sections cannot be rotated with respect to one another and the crown section cannot be rotated with respect to the uppermost stackable section. Each section has at least one side with a decorative surface. Optionally, the crown section can be eliminated. And a cap is placed on the crown section when it is present and, otherwise, on the uppermost stackable section.

1 . A modular, stackable pillar, which comprises:
 at least one hollow plastic stackable section with all of said stackable sections stacked on one another, each of which at least one stackable sections comprises:
 one or more sides, with at least one side having a decorative outer surface; 
 a top having a substantially centrally located projection containing a substantially centered aperture; 
 a bottom having a substantially centrally located depression containing a substantially centered aperture, with the projection on said stackable section and the depression in said stackable section each having such a shape and cross section as would permit mating of the bottom of said stackable section with the projection on the top of said stackable section were such bottom of said stackable section immediately above the top of said stackable section but would preclude rotation of the bottom with respect to the top were the top and bottom to be mated; 
   a hollow plastic crown section on top of the uppermost of any of said at least one stackable sections, which comprises:
 one or more sides, with at least one side having a decorative outer surface; and 
 a bottom having a substantially centrally located depression containing a substantially centered aperture and having such a shape and cross section as permits such depression to be mated with the projection of the top of an immediately lower one of said at least one stackable section but precludes rotation of the bottom of said hollow plastic crown section with respect to the top of the mated projection from the top of the immediately lower one of said at least one stackable section; 
   a plastic cap inserted into said hollow plastic crown section from above; and   mechanical fasteners connecting each stackable section adjacent to another stackable section to said other stackable section and also connecting said crown section to said stackable section that is adjacent to said crown section.   
   
   
       2 . The modular, stackable pillar as recited in  claim 1 , wherein:
 said mechanical fasteners are bolts and nuts.   
   
   
       3 . The modular, stackable pillar as recited in  claim 2 , wherein:
 each projection has at least one straight side; and   each mating depression has at least one straight side.   
   
   
       4 . The modular, stackable pillar as recited in  claim 1 , wherein:
 each projection has at least one straight side; and   each mating depression has at least one straight side.   
   
   
       5 . The modular, stackable pillar as recited in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the substantially centered apertures in the top of each said stackable section, in the bottom of each said stackable section, and in the bottom of said crown section are all extended in the same direction; and   further comprising:
 a support placed in the extended portion of the substantially centered apertures in the top of each said stackable section, in the bottom of each said stackable section, and in the bottom of said crown section; and 
 hinges for a gate attached to said support and extending through at least two apertures in sides of at least one section selected from the group consisting of the stackable sections and the crown section. 
   
   
   
       6 . The modular, stackable pillar as recited in  claim 5 , wherein:
 said mechanical fasteners are bolts and nuts.   
   
   
       7 . The modular, stackable pillar as recited in  claim 6 , wherein:
 each projection has at least one straight side; and   each mating depression has at least one straight side.   
   
   
       8 . The modular, stackable pillar as recited in  claim 5 , wherein:
 each projection has at least one straight side; and   each mating depression has at least one straight side.   
   
   
       9 . A modular, stackable pillar, which comprises:
 at least two hollow plastic stackable sections stacked on top of one another, each of which sections comprises:
 one or more sides, with at least one side having a decorative outer surface; 
 a top having a substantially centrally located projection containing a substantially centered aperture; 
 a bottom having a substantially centrally located depression containing a substantially centered aperture, with the projection and the depression each having such a shape and cross section as permits mating with the projection on the top of any of the other said stackable sections that is immediately below said stackable section but precludes rotation of the bottom with respect to the top were the top and bottom to be mated; and 
   a cap on top of the uppermost of said at least two hollow plastic stackable sections, said cap having a bottom containing a depression of such a cross section and shape that the depression can be mated with the projection of the uppermost of said at least two plastic stackable sections but that said cap cannot be rotated with respect to the uppermost of said at least two plastic stackable sections.   
   
   
       10 . The modular, stackable pillar as recited in  claim 9 , wherein:
 said mechanical fasteners are bolts and nuts.   
   
   
       11 . The modular, stackable pillar as recited in  claim 10 , wherein:
 each projection has at least one straight side; and   each mating depression has at least one straight side.   
   
   
       12 . The modular, stackable pillar as recited in  claim 9 , wherein:
 each projection has at least one straight side; and   each mating depression has at least one straight side.