Post protector

Abstract

A post protector to shield the lower portion or base of a mail box post or fence post from grass trimmers, lawn mowers and other such equipment comprising a plurality of protective panels and a protective panel retainer including at least one strap or panel retainer disposed to engage the outer surface of the plurality of the protective panels to secure the protective panels against the outer surface of the lower portion or base of the post.

1 . A post protector to protect the exterior of the lower portion of a mail box post or fence post from grass trimmers, lawn mowers and other such equipment comprising a plurality of protective panels and a protective panel retainer disposed to engage the outer surface of the plurality of the protective panels to secure the protective panels against the outer surface of the lower portion of the post. 
     
     
         2 . The post protector of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of protective panels includes a substantially flat front protective panel, a substantially flat rear protective panel and a pair of substantially flat side protective panels. 
     
     
         3 . The post protector of  claim 2  wherein said protective panel retainer includes an upper panel retainer and a lower panel retainer. 
     
     
         4 . The post protector of  claim 3  wherein said substantially flat front protective panel and said substantially flat rear protective panel each comprises an outer surface having an upper retainer groove and a lower retainer groove formed therein to receive at least a portion of said upper panel retainer and at least a portion of said lower panel retainer respectively, and each said substantially flat side protective panel comprises an outer surface having an upper retainer groove and a lower retainer groove or recess formed therein to receive at least a portion of said upper panel retainer and at least a portion of said lower panel retainer respectively. 
     
     
         5 . The post protector of  claim 4  wherein the center line of said lower retainer groove is less than about two inches above the lower edge of said substantially flat front protective panel and said lower edge of the substantially flat rear protective panel, the center line of the lower retainer groove or recess is less than about two inches above the lower edge of each said substantially flat side protective panel. 
     
     
         6 . The post protector of  claim 5  wherein the center line of each said upper retainer groove is at least about five inches above the center line of the corresponding lower retainer groove. 
     
     
         7 . The post protector of  claim 6  wherein said upper panel retainer and said lower panel retainer each comprises an elongated element including a first securing member formed on the surface thereof and a second securing member including an aperture with a locking element disposed to selectively engage each other to secure said upper panel retainer and said lower panel retainer to the outer surface of said plurality of protective panels. 
     
     
         8 . The post protector of  claim 1  wherein each said protective panel comprises an outer surface having a retainer groove formed therein to receive at least a portion of said panel retainer. 
     
     
         9 . The post protector of  claim 8  wherein said panel retainer comprises an elongated element including a first securing member formed on the surface thereof and a second securing member including an aperture with locking element each disposed to selectively engage the other to secure said panel retainer at least partially within said retainer groove.