Post protectors

Abstract

A post protector shaped such that any grass or weed cutting mechanism is deflected away from the post thereby avoiding superficial or serious damage to the post. In the preferred embodiment the post protector incorporates an indented center section having specific geometries that resist the cutting mechanism from passing over the top portion or below the bottom portion of the protector. The protector is formed of two detachable halves for ease in installation or removal.

1 . A post protector comprising two substantially identical vertical halves, each said vertical half including a body having a top portion and bottom portion separated vertically; a horizontal flange connected to the top portion, extending inwardly, and having a geometric indentation at its distal end; a horizontal flange connected to the bottom portion, extending inwardly, and having a geometric indentation at its distal end congruous to the geometric indentation of the flange at the top portion; fastening means for connecting the two vertical halves together, such that when the two halves are joined together the edges of each half and the end sections of the flanges contact to form an elongated protector having a central opening for receiving and protecting a post. 
   
   
       2 . The post protector of  claim 1 , wherein the geometric indentations of the top and bottom flanges are of a rectangular shape. 
   
   
       3 . The post protector of  claim 1 , wherein the geometric indentations of the top and bottom flanges are of a circular shape. 
   
   
       4 . The post protector of  claim 1 , wherein each body has a curved horizontal cross-section. 
   
   
       5 . The post protector of  claim 1 , wherein each body has a rectangular horizontal cross-section. 
   
   
       6 . The post protector of  claim 1 , wherein the fastening means includes holes and threaded fasteners. 
   
   
       7 . The post protector of  claim 1 , wherein the vertical halves form a dome shape. 
   
   
       8 . The post protector of  claim 1 , wherein the vertical halves each have an inwardly indented center section, such that when the two halves are connected together the indented center sections form a continuous indented center section extending the entire horizontal circumference of the body and defining an area between the top and bottom portions adapted to deflect any cutting means from passing over said top portion or below said bottom portion. 
   
   
       9 . The post and post protector system of  claim 8 , wherein the indented section has a concave vertical cross section. 
   
   
       10 . The post and post protector system of  claim 8 , wherein the indented section has a V-shaped vertical cross section. 
   
   
       11 . A post and post protector system comprising an elongated post; and a post protector comprising two substantially identical vertical halves, each said vertical half including a body having a top portion and bottom portion separated vertically; a horizontal flange connected to the top portion, extending inwardly, and having a geometric indentation at its distal end; a horizontal flange connected to the bottom portion, extending inwardly, and having a geometric indentation at its distal end congruous to the geometric indentation of the flange at the top portion; fastening means for connecting the two vertical halves together, such that when the two halves are joined together the edges of each half and the end sections of the flanges contact to form an elongated protector having a central opening for receiving and protecting a post. 
   
   
       12 . The post protector of  claim 11 , wherein the geometric indentations of the top and bottom flanges are of a rectangular shape. 
   
   
       13 . The post protector of  claim 11 , wherein the geometric indentations of the top and bottom flanges are of a circular shape. 
   
   
       14 . The post protector of  claim 11 , wherein each body has a curved horizontal cross-section. 
   
   
       15 . The post protector of  claim 11 , wherein each body has a rectangular horizontal cross-section. 
   
   
       16 . The post protector of  claim 11 , wherein the fastening means includes holes and threaded fasteners. 
   
   
       17 . The post protector of  claim 11 , wherein the vertical halves form a dome shape. 
   
   
       18 . The post protector of  claim 11 , wherein the vertical halves each have an inwardly indented center section, such that when the two halves are connected together the indented center sections form a continuous indented center section extending the entire horizontal circumference of the body and defining an area between the top and bottom portions adapted to deflect any cutting means from passing over said top portion or below said bottom portion. 
   
   
       19 . A fence assembly comprising a plurality of posts; a plurality of cross pieces; and a plurality of post protectors, wherein each post protector comprising two substantially identical vertical halves, each said vertical half including a body having a top portion and bottom portion separated vertically; a horizontal flange connected to the top portion, extending inwardly, and having a geometric indentation at its distal end; a horizontal flange connected to the bottom portion, extending inwardly, and having a geometric indentation at its distal end congruous to the geometric indentation of the flange at the top portion; fastening means for connecting the two vertical halves together, such that when the two halves are joined together the edges of each half and the end sections of the flanges contact to form an elongated post having a central opening for receiving and protecting a post. 
   
   
       20 . The post protector of  claim 19 , wherein the vertical halves each have an inwardly indented center section, such that when the two halves are connected together the indented center sections form a continuous indented center section extending the entire horizontal circumference of the body and defining an area between the top and bottom portions adapted to deflect any cutting means from passing over said top portion or below said bottom portion.